KOLKATA 6 MARCH: In an unprecedented manner, there has been a surge of dissension among the Trinamool Congress leaders who were denied party tickets for the upcoming Assembly elections.
In particular, leaders such as Sonali Guha, Arabul Islam, Jatu Lahiri, Uttam Das, and the likes who were considered to be the architect of the TMC are now left with a feeling of huge disappointment. In fact, these leaders are the ones who fought alongside Mamata Banerjee hand in hand to bring down the Left Front government. They have now expressed their rebellion against the party leadership. Especially, stating their interest to join with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Foremost among them is Sonali Guha, the former deputy speaker of the Assembly and Mamata’s trusted lieutenant who was denied a ticket from the Satgachia constituency in 24 Parganas.
Moreover, Guha has represented the Satgachia constituency five times earlier, now clearly said that she is determined to join the saffron party. Once considered a firebrand leader of the ruling party, Guha said tearfully, “I do not know why Mamata Banerjee did not give me a ticket. I am disheartened after hearing the list. I have been working with them. But, will now join BJP. I won’t come back to TMC again.”
Previously, Satgachia was once held by Jyoti Basu and her victory was significant back then. So, Basu decided not to contest the 2001 election for health reasons. Then, Guha took to politics at an early age and was a close aide to Mamata Banerjee. Between 2001 and 2003, on instructions from Mamata Banerjee, Guha intervened in the defence of squatters that were being evicted from the banks of Tolly’s Nullah and Gobindapur railway colony.
Guha’s Satgachia Connection
Notably, Guha was first elected to the West Bengal Assembly Election in 2001 from the Satgachhia on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket. Soon after, she defeated Gokul Bairagi of the CPI(M) by about 6,000 votes.Her victory was significant as the seat was held for five terms by Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, in 1977. But, Basu decided not to contest the 2001 election for health reasons.
In the 2006 assembly elections, Guha defeated Kabita Kayal of the CPI(M) by about 6,000 votes. Then, she was elected as the first woman deputy speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Later, Guha was re-elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 2011. This time her opponent was Barun Naskar from the CPI(M), whom she defeated by about 18,000 votes.
In the 2016 assembly election, Guha won the Satgachhia seat for the fourth time, defeating Paramita Ghosh of CPI(M) by about a margin of 17,500 votes.
More disgruntled TMC leaders jump wagon, many express interest to go saffron
Soon after, the TMC list was announced, Arabul Islam TMC leader of Bhangor in South 24 Parganas, resorted to violence and burnt tyres in protest against the TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s decision. The one of not providing him a ticket from Bangor. Instead, Rabiul Islam was given a ticket from his constituency at Bhangor.
On Saturday, Islam said, “I feel betrayed as the chief minister did not give me a ticket. I was working with TMC for so long. I will ensure that the candidate does not win from this constituency.”
Also, Dinesh Trivedi who already voiced his anger against the TMC joined BJP on Saturday.
After joining BJP, Trivedi said, “He was feeling claustrophobic in TMC. I am feeling disgusted inside the party. Now, I am relieved and can work better for the people of my constituency.”
Meanwhile, Jatu Lahiri who was denied a ticket from Shibpur in Howrah also expressed his eagerness to join BJP.
Lahiri said, “I have been betrayed by Banerjee. How can she replace me and place a new cricketer Manoj Tiwari as a candidate who does not have any knowledge about the constituency? In this way, she insulted me. I will join the Brigade rally tomorrow.”
Local TMC leaders staged protests against the star candidates who will contest from their respective constituencies.
On Saturday, the local TMC leaders of Barrackpore claimed that Raj Chakraborty himself is an outsider as he is not aware of the party works. Further, they questioned why Chakraborty was given a ticket despite the fact that he is not from politics.
While responding to similar comments, Chakraborty said, “There might be differences now. But, I will speak with the leaders and together we will sort out our difference and we will win from the constituency.”