Ghani fails to declare name of nominee

KATOWALI (Malda), March 18. — Congress stalwart and Malda MP Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury could not declare the candidate’s name for the English Bazaar Assembly seat today, failing to select either Mr Goutam Chakraborty or Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury as Congress candidate.The Malda Congress deferred the announcement date of six seats out of 11 till 23 March, although the MP called reporters today for the announcement at his Katowali residence. “A major group of Malda Congress leaders has opposed Mr Chowdhury’s candidature and expressed its views in favour of Mr Chakraborty.”But the present Congress sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad and former MLA, Mr Chakraborty, said: “I told them I will not contest this year.” Mr Chowdhury met the Malda MP and joined the Congress yesterday, ignoring the ticket offered by the Trinamul. Reportedly, due to his anti-party activities and statement against the state Trinamul leadership a few days back, he has been expelled. SNS