According to CPM sources, the decision to take on Mamata in her constituency was taken recently by state party brass as she is touring Bengal campaigning for party leaders standing from various constituencies and is spending comparatively little time in Kolkata South.

The series of rallies are timed to coincide with the second and third phase of elections in the state, during which the constituencies that the Trinamool is fighting go to polls. In the first phase in Bengal, most of the seats that went to polling were contested by the Congress.

Also, the majority of the constituencies which the Left fears losing will go to the polls in the second and third phase.

“Trinamool Congress is a Mamata-centric party and it is her personal image which works at all the constituencies. So, we plan to target her in her own constituency,” said a senior CPM leader.

“Mamata is the symbol of resistance to CPM’s atrocities throughout Bengal and even in India. It is not surprising they will use their entire might to stop her from winning. We know they are bringing in dozens of heavyweights in Kolkata South to campaign against her. Let them bring in all their leaders here. This will only highlight their weakness and such antics will only increase Mamata’s winning margin,” said senior Trinamool leader Mukul Roy.