Serious discontent has surfaced in Trinamul Congress camp in several districts over the selection of a number of party candidates. From North Bengal to Kolkata, there has been strong resentment among a section of Trinamul Congress workers over the nomination of some people who are considered either “unsuitable” or “outsiders.”
Ms Banerjee had the first taste of workers' displeasure when only two days after the announcement of candidates, there were demonstrations outside her Kalighat home by disgruntled partymen over nomination of some candidates. While in most places, it is the people of the constituencies who were unhappy with the selection of candidates in Entally in Kolkata it was the candidate Tarak Banerjee who voiced his anger over the allotment of the seat. The three-time MLA from Cossipore had wanted either Shyampukur or Jorasanko. But when he was given neither and was fielded from Entally he point blank refused to contest. A red-faced Mamata had to replace him with Swarn Kamal Saha. Demands for replacement of candidates have been raised in Deganga, Bangaon North and Haroa seats in North 24 Parganas. Trinamul Congress workers took out processions demanding immediate replacement of Deganga candidate Dr Nuruz Zaman and Haroa nominee Zulfikar Ali Molla. In Bangaon Town Hall, angry party workers held a meeting to protest the nomination of an unsuitable person from Bangaon North seat. They also alleged that he had “purchased” his ticket. In Naryangarh in West Midnapore while Ms Banerjee has announced Kausar Ali as the candidate, unhappy party workers are campaigning for rebel candidate Surja Atta. Angry over candidature of “outsiders”.
Trinamul Congress workers targeted some party offices and organised road blockades in Egra in East Midnapore. Workers of Chhatna constituency in Bankura and Tehatta seat in
Nadia are also irked by nomination of “outsiders.”
In South 24 Parganas, a section of Trinamul Congress workers, including around 80 panchayat members, quit the party to protest the nomination of Arabul Islam from Bhangar seat. The dissident workers have floated a rebel front Bhangar Pratibadi Mancha and are planning to Nannu Hossain as a rebel candidate against Mr Islam.
Clearly embarrassed by such open display of discontment, the Trinamul Congress leadership refused to comment on them. CPI(M) spokesperson Mohammad Salim said it was party workers' protest against Ms Banerjee's autocratic style of functioning. “These grass root workers are feeling betrayed because she is imposing candidates on them who have neither knowledge of the constituencies nor any connect with the local people,” Mr Salim claimed.