Apprehending a setback in the Lok Sabha polls, the CPI(M) refrained from introducing new faces in its candidate list for 42 seats released after a Left Front meeting here on Tuesday.

Out of the 26 sitting MPs, the CPI(M) has re-nominated 20 of them for the general elections. Even seven-time or eight-time MPs like Basudev Achariya and Rupchand Pal were allocated party tickets. According to a primary estimate, the average age of the Marxist candidates is between 60 and 70 years, a contrast to the current voters’ list where the majority is from the 18 to 35 age group.

The ruling party, however, dropped sitting MPs like Minati Sen (Jalpaiguri), Rupchand Murmu (Jhargram), Nikhilananda Sar (Burdwan) and Sunil Khan (Durgapur). A new candidate was nominated in Mathurapur constituency and the sitting MP of the area Basudeb Burman was shifted to Ranaghat (SC) seat.

Even though Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee himself had snubbed Marxist strongman in East Midnapore Laxman Seth following the Nandigram fiasco, the party chose to re-nominate him for Tamluk constituency.

Announcing the list, Left Front chairman Biman Bose said: “We know this is a tough election for us, but we have past experience to contest such elections. Not only the TMC and the Congress, there are other forces who have joined hands with them against us.”

CPI(M) Kolkata district leader Rabin Deb, known for his organisational skills, has been pitted again against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee from the Kolkata (south) constituency.

Murshidabad district CPI(M) leader and chairman of Jangipur Municipality Mriganko Bhattacharjee will contest against West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Jangipur.

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