TMC Faces Dissent And Ugly Scenes Over List Of Candidates For Civic Elections
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2022-02-08 09:15:28
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With the announcement of civic elections in West Bengal (barring Howrah) on February 27, it was expected that there would be multiple contenders for each seat in all districts in the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and there would be huge competition to get tickets. But the way things are getting uglier by the day, it is clear that at the local level, the party is facing indiscipline and chaos. Some reports also suggested that has been a rift between the party and political consultant Prashant Kishor over the issue.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to issue a stern warning to all local level leaders that dissent will not be tolerated and the list signed by party seniors Subrata Bakshi and Partha Chatterjee was final. But after the official list was put out, an unofficial list surfaced on the official website of the party creating further confusion as the names did not match.
In some districts, those who did not get tickets, along with their supporters, took to the streets and put burning tyres and other obstructions to block roads and took out processions to register their protest. Two senior leaders, Madan Mitra and Sovandev Chattopadhyay are also reported to be miffed as many of their supporters are not in the final list. While Mitra said that there was a lack of communication as senior leaders were not consulted, Chattopadhyay left a party meeting in his constituency after the list was announced.
Party sources tried to make light of the issue by saying that since the TMC is a party with a huge cadre base, this is a problem of plenty. But it is clear that there is utter chaos at the moment. In several wards, two candidates on two separate lists have already started campaigning as the 'official' candidate. It remains to be seen what effect Mamata Banerjee's warning has on local level leaders. For if they contests as independents they will cut into the vote bank of the party as they have support in their areas.
