TMC unity in show as Sundas files nomination

SNS, SILIGURI. 30 MARCH 21: In an apparent bid to showcase unity in the TrinamuI Congress camp, party leaders, including the former party candidate from the Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly constituency, accompanied party election candidate. Rajen Sundas as he filed his nomination papers for the Assembly elections here today.

The party had replaced Captain Nalini Ranjan Roy, a retired army officer and BJP turncoat with former Darjeeling regional transport officer, Mr Sundas. Captain Roy had already started campaigning in his constituency when the party decided to make the change.

Mr Sundas filed his nomination paper at the office of the Siliguri Sub Divisional Officer.

"We came to know that the candidate was changed following an advice from Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung as the constituency has a significant number of Gorkha people. But the sudden change in the candidate has not gone down well with a section of party activists. The campaign in support of Captain Roy had already been going on in full swing. The party is trying to dispel any misunderstanding over the issue among the workers. Our party has never won the seat," said a senior TMC leader today.

"Captain Roy is one of the faces in the area. He has been made the chairperson of the election committee of the party in the Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly constituiency. The party will give him due respect. He himself participated in the process of nomination filing today," said the president of the Darjeeling district Trinamul Congress (Plains), Ranjan Sarkar.

Mr Sundas will contest the elections against two time MLA and Sanyukta Morcha supported Congress candidate Sankar Malakar and BJP candidate Anandamay Barman.