Trinamul Congress gears up for rural polls

In 2015, polls were held for the last time to the SMP, where there are 9 seats, along with 4 panchayats samitis and 22 panchayats spread across Siliguri subdivision

Gautam Deb at the meeting.: Passang Yolmo

TT Correspondent   |   Siliguri   |  11.04.22  : Trinamul leaders in Siliguri subdivision have started making preparations for the three-tier elections of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad (SMP),  a rural body.

“The three-tier rural elections are likely to be held at May-end or first week of June this year. That is why we have started making preparations so that our party can secure a majority in the SMP as well as in the rural bodies of the two lower tiers,” said Gautam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri and the most prominent face of Trinamul in the subdivision.

In October 2015, elections were held for the last time to the SMP, where there are nine seats, along with four panchayats samitis and 22 panchayats spread across four blocks of Siliguri subdivision.

“Trinamul has never won the SMP. This time, the party is desperate to secure the rural body, especially after winning the Siliguri Municipal Corporation elections for the first time in February,” said a political observer.  

“Two Assembly seats fall within the SMP area. Last year, the BJP had won both there are clear indications that the saffron camp will put all efforts to win the rural bodies,” the observer added. 

Deb, along with Papia Ghosh, the president of Darjeeling (plains) district Trinamul, attended a workers’ meeting at Bagdogra Girls’ School, some 15km from the city, on Sunday.

Deb urged party workers to work hard to win seats in all three tiers of the rural polls.

Trinamul insiders said at the meeting, senior leaders passed a clear message of refraining from creating confusion over the selection of candidates in these elections.