CPM may project Ashok Bhattacharya as mayoral candidate in Siliguri civic polls

EOI, Siliguri, 3 Nov 2014: With elections to the Siliguri Municipality Corporation set to be held early next year, political parties in the city have already started preparations. The elections could see a four-sided contest with the ruling Trinamool Congress, the opposition CPM, Congress and the BJP vying to form the board. After forming the government at the Centre following an impressive run in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year, the BJP is going all out to form the board, while the Trinamool is looking to keep a clean slate. Similarly, the CPM which suffered a defeat in the last SMC elections and also displayed a dismal performance in the general elections is keeping its hope alive and preparing strategies to regain some of its glory.

CPM sources said the party could be led by former minister and Left Front veteran Ashok Bhattacharya for the SMC elections.  The sources also said that if the party wins the January-February civic polls, it may propose Bhattacharya’s name for the mayor’s post. The party is also trying to find a safe seat for Bhattacharya for the election and could select Ward 16. The ward has been won by the CMP over the past many years under another CPM veteran and former mayor, the late Bikash Bose. After Bose’s demise, his wife Nandita Gosh ran in the last election, but lost by a small margin to the Congress’ Sujay Ghatak.

When asked, senior CPM leaders and workers denied commenting on the report, but said the party will soon conduct a meeting and decide on it. Despite their denial to comment on the latest development, most CPM leaders seemed to be inclined towards Bhattacharya leading them in the SMC elections. When contacted, Bhattacharya said it is not surprising for party supporters to say so and added, “I have a deep connection with the people of Siliguri. I have worked a lot for the development of the town and if given an opportunity, I will not back out.” The CPM veteran also said a final decision will be taken after a party meeting. Meanwhile, former SMC chairman and CPM leader Dilip Singh denied having any knowledge about the speculation on Bhattacharya leading the elections. He said the party has its own strategy to decide on the candidates and will select them accordingly when the right time comes.