Kaustav Chatterjee is only 30 years old but the CPM has chosen him to end the Trinamool and Congress party’s 20-year-dominance in the Alipore constituency, where bypolls will be held on November 7.

Chatterjee is not new to politics. His parents — Samir Kumar Chaterjee, a bank employee, and mother Swanali, a school teacher, are both members of the CPM. After he joined Ashutosh College, he became active in student politics and was made the state secretary of CPM’s student wing — Students Federation India (SFI) — a year ago.

Chatterjee insists this election is his “first big challenge” to prove his political mettle.

“It is true that I have been associated with students and university politics and am in touch with the people of this area,” Chatterjee said.

After graduating in Zoology, Chatterjee completed MSc in Museulogy from University of Calcutta. But his party chose to field him from Alipore, an Opposition stronghold, hoping that young Chatterjee’s vivacity would help in turning the tables.

“He is young. He can fight for your rights,” a party cadre tells voters during the election campaign.

Similarly, another CPM supporter tries to plays to the gallery. To a curious middle-aged man checking out the CPM procession from his balcony, he shouts: “Please have a look at our candidate. He is like your son and needs your blessings.”

Chatterjee’s campaign focusses on issues like pricerise and slum development — of the 1 lakh 20 thousand voters in Alipore, about 50 percent or more live in shanties and slums. The CPM claims the councillors — all the four wards are represented by the Trinamool — and the Trinamool MLAs have not done anything for slum development.

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