TMC bags Kumargram

TT, 26 Sep 2018, Alipurduar: The Trinamul Congress formed the board at Kumargram Panchayat Samiti on Tuesday even without a toss -- the ruling party and the BJP had 16 seats each -- as the BJP winners stayed away from the proceedings.

In the 32-member body at Kumargram, the BJP had won 17 seats, while the remaining 15 went to Trinamul. After the results were announced, the BJP had sent all its 17 candidates to Assam to prevent their defection to Trinamul through co- ercion or persuasion. Trinamul, however, man- aged to get one BJP winner on board through subterfuge, which left both sides with equal numbers.

"Most residents of Kumargram had anticipated a toss as there was a tie. But it is surprising that BJP members did not even attend the meeting convened by the administration at a school today (Tuesday) to form the board," said an observer.

On Tuesday morning, all the 16 winners of the BJP reached Barobisha from Gossaigaon in Assam to participate in the board forma- tion. Ganga Prasad Sharma, the district BJP chief, was with them.

"However, a section of BJP workers said Trinamul members had already taken control of the venue and the BJP winners might face an attack if they went to the school. This made the members change their plan," said an insider.

The decision hasn't, however, gone down well with another section of BJP workers. "We should have at least tried. Now we have to face a lot of questions from our supporters at grassroots," said a BJP leader..