Mahajot shows cracks ahead of bypolls

In Delhi,Banerjee is already in talks with the top Congress leaders,including party president Sonia Gandhi and K Keshav Rao,the AICC in-charge for Bengal.

In Bowbazar,the Trinamool has fielded Swarnakamal Saha while Sikha Mitra will fight the Sealdah seat,which was represented by her husband and former Congress MLA Somen Mitra,who won in the 2004 Assembly elections.

Mitra vacated the seat after getting elected to the Lok Sabha from Diamond Harbour constituency on a Trinamool ticket.

Interestingly,in Bowbazar,Santosh Pathak,a close aide of the state Congress working president Subrata Mukherjee,has filed nomination as an Independent candidate.

The CPM,meanwhile,has not fielded its candidate in Bowbazar and is instead backing Independent candidate Minati Gomes,who also enjoys support of the ruling Left Front. The CPI has fielded Prabir Deb here. Till Wednesday,both Bowbazar and Sealdah seemed geared up for a triangular contest,but the final picture will be clear on August 1.

Though the Trinamool and the Congress are engaged in talks at the highest level,Wednesday’s development made it clear that the allies are not sure whether they would be able to sort out the issue. The Trinamool launched its campaigns in both the seats immediately after filing nominations.

The Congress’ decision to field Ghosh in both the seats bears political significance. In case both the parties ultimately agree to contest one seat each,Ghosh is likely to withdraw his nomination from Sealdah,leading to a direct fight between Trinamool’s Sikha Mitra and CPI’s Prabir Deb.

But it’s tricky with Bowbazar,where Ghosh will take on Trinamool’s Swarnakamal Saha,a close friend. If Ghosh withdraws from Sealdah,Bowbazar will have triangular contest among Ghosh,Saha and Gomes.

“I have been asked by Mamata Banerjee to file my nominations from Bowbazar. I believe I will be able to work for the people. I have already started my campaign,” said Saha. “My husband has worked for the people of Sealdah for years. Mamata and the people wanted me to contest and here I am,” said Mitra.

As for Ghosh,he sounded positive for both the seats. “The AICC asked me to file nominations in the two constituencies. If they want me to withdraw from one,I will. I am confident of winning both.” The candidature of Pathak as an Independent nominee will certainly make things difficult for the Trinamool as he is a close aide of Subrata Mukherjee and a known Congress leader in central Kolkata. Pathak will surely get some Congress votes and might be able to split the anti-CPM votes.