In the divided Trinamool party in West Bengal, the race for the upcoming municipal elections in November in the West Bengal capital Kolkata and Howrah has gained in intensity. The Mamata-led All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC), Democratic Trinamool Congress (DTC) and a group of Trinamool lawmakers who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) are gearing up for elections.
With party notification on the cards, and candidate selection and campaigning being done within a short span, the leaders hinted on Friday that the notification may be published as soon as a few days.
Mamata Camp Focuses on Candidate Selection
A Mamata Banerjee camp leader has said that leaders from their own area who were close to the ex-caretaker chief minister will be given preference in selection of candidates. Also, the leader said, Parliament was eager to resolve the issue of seat adjuster which conversations could be taken up for if needed; but it was too early to confirm any seat adjuster.
The meeting was held at the residence of Banerjee at Kalighat on the preparations for the upcoming municipal polls, at the event which the comments have been issued.
Current alliance talks are rejected by Congress
Congress chief as well as general secretary of the party in West Bengal, Asutosh Chatterjee, told PTI that the party’s state committees have decided on the selection of candidates from the municipalities and the decisions on alliances have been taken by the central Congress hierarchy.
He added that no discussions have been held yet on a possible alliance, making the Congress’ election plans remain unclear, ahead of the general elections.
Political Exchanges Intensify
Kunal Ghosh, another member of the national assembly from the Mamata wing, had faulted the NCPI that has called itself an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government.
These exchanges highlight the conflict and struggle in the next civic elections as opposing coalitions strive to win ground in major cities.
In the wake of the impending poll notification, political parties are under great pressure to settle their candidate and in anticipation of possible collaborations finalise election drives in Howrah and Kolkata.