Subhas loyalist Kanti may get his ministry

Minister for Sunderbans Development Kanti Ganguly is likely to be given charge of the sports and youth welfare department,which was headed by Subhas Chakraborty. Though there was no official communication in this regard,CPM sources said an announcement was likely on Monday.

Ganguly,a known loyalist of the late leader met veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu on Saturday and sought his blessings. He also visited Chakraborty’s house in Salt Lake and met his family members,including wife Ramola. Ganguly reportedly told her he would try his best to run the sports and youth welfare ministry the way Chakraborty used to do it.CPM sources said Ganguly spoke to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and senior party leaders,including state secretary Biman Bose,before visiting Basu and Ramola.

On Friday,the CPM had recommended the name of Ranjit Kundu,an MLA from Naihati in North 24-Parganas,to the chief minister for inclusion in his Cabinet. Sources said Kundu was inducted since,like Chakraborty,he too is from North 24-Parganas.

It is not clear if Ganguly will continue to hold charge of his current portfolio of Sunderbans development.