Multiple candidates baffle Trinamul

A rally by Trinamul leaders against the party's youth wing in Dinhata on Monday. Picture by Main Uddin Chisti

TT, Jalpaiguri/Cooch Behar: Presence of multiple Trinamul candidates in same seats of all three tiers of the panchayat system has baffled the party in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts.

In Jalpaiguri, there is more than one candidate of Trinamul in at least six seats of zilla parishad. In total, there are 19 seats in the parishad.

On the other hand, in Cooch Behar, the Youth Trinamul in Dinhata-I block has fielded parallel candidates - a second nominee other than the one selected by the party - in almost 90 per cent seats of the panchayat samitis and gram panchayats.

"Nominations by several Trinamul leaders for same seats have become a fresh bother for Trinamul. It has only reconfirmed presence of multiple lobbies within the party and we apprehend that our political rivals might make it an issue in the campaign," said a senior Trinamul leader based in Jalpaiguri.

In Dinhata I block of Cooch Behar, Youth Trinamul leaders had demanded that candidates be selected from among them but the plea wasn't heeded.

"That is why they have fielded candidates in most of the seats in the two lower-tiers. The youth leaders have even announced that if the party does not provide symbols, the candidates will contest as Independents," said a leader.

The differences reached such an extent that block Trinamul leaders held a protest rally against youth Trinamul in Dinhata town on Monday. They also submitted a memorandum to the SDO, accusing Nisith Pramanik, a general secretary of district youth Trinamul who is also the most prominent youth leader in Dinhata-I block, of unleashing terror.

"Under the leadership of Nisith Pramanik, a group of miscreants have unleashed terror in certain areas of the block. We want the administration to take steps," said Jagadish Roy Basunia, the Trinamul MLA of Sitai.

Political observers said it was a complicated situation for the party.

"It is a tough task to finalise the candidate in all such seats and ensure that others withdraw their nominations. They will have to confirm that the person asked to withdraw does not turns into a dissident or defects to BJP, particularly ahead of the polls," said an observer.