TMC gears up to take on BJP in north Bengal

SNS, SILIGURI, 10 MARCH 2024 : The Trinamul Congress leadership has started preparing to take on the BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik, who is at present Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, after the party chairperson Mamata Banerjee nominated Jagadish Chandra Basunia for Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat.

On the other hand, the present Rajya Sabha Member, Prakash Chik Baraik, would take on the BJP candidate Manoj Tigga, Chief Whip in the Opposition of the State Assembly, in the Alipurduar Lok Sabha seat. 

Notably, the BJP candidate is facing problems in activating the party machinery after the BJP denied the ticket to John Barla, present MP and Minister of State for Minority Affairs.

Mr Barla has instructed his followers: "No vote for Manoj Tigga".

Though the BJP has not yet re-nominated the present Jalpaiguri MP Dr Jayanta Roy, the Trinamul MLA from Dhupguri, Dr Nirmal Chandra Roy, would take on the BJP in Jalpaiguri LS seat.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has nominated a popular man Gopal Lama, a former state government's administrative officer and assorted with various voluntary organisations, for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.

Significantly, the BJP has not yet announced its candidate for Darjeeling LS seat. Who will be the candidate for Darjeeling on BJP ticket is the focus of discussion in Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Whether the present MP Raju Bista or former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, that is the question in Darjeeling LS seat.

The BJP is also yet to declare the name of its candidate for Raiganj LS seat.

The TMC has fielded Krishna Kalyani from Raiganj. On the other hand, the TMC leader Biplab Mitra will take on the state BJP president Dr Sukant a Majumdar in Balurghat LS seat.

Trinamul chairperson Mamata Banerjee has nominated a former IPS officer, Prasun Banerjee, to take on the present MP Khagen Murmu, who is contesting for a second time on the BJP ticket, in North Malda LS seat.

TMC has nominated Sehnaj Ali Rehan, a resident of Kaliachak for South Malda LS seat, where the BJP has fielded Srirupa Mitra Chowdhury.

It is learnt that the Congress may field Isha Khan, son of present MP All Khan Chowdhury, from Malda South.

Party sources said the Congress will announce its names for both Malda LS seats shortly.