Saturday nomination by rivals

TT, Siliguri, March 24: Former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, who is contesting as the Trinamul candidate from Siliguri, today said he would file his nominations on March 26, the same day his principal contender Asok Bhattacharya of the CPM will also file his papers.

Bhaichung, at a news conference at the Darjeeling district Trinamul office today, said: "I will file my nomination on March 26. Around 2.30pm, I will reach the SDO's office with some of my associates and party leaders. We have come to know that candidates of some other political parties will also file nominations on that day and thus, we have decided not to hold any rally that day. Some party leaders and workers might be present as I file my nomination but there will be no procession as multiple rallies would lead to traffic congestion and cause inconvenience to the police and administration."

The Trinamul candidate also said he has election campaigns scheduled in some of the wards of Siliguri that day.

"I have pre-planned election campaigns in some of the wards on March 26, after which I will go and file my nomination. This is another reason for which we will not hold any rally ahead of the nominations," he said.

The Left and Congress will hold a joint march on March 26 from Mahananda Bridge, 2km from the SDO's office. They will then take Hill Cart Road and arrive at the SDO's office where Bhattacharya will file his nomination.

District Trinamul leaders, when asked if such a quiet submission of nomination would send a message to Siliguri residents, said it would not matter. "None other than Mamata Banerjee has walked across Siliguri on March 14. Thousands of Trinamul supporters and people in general came out that day," Trinamul leader Pratul Chakraborty said.