Congress looks outside Guho family for by-poll

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 1 June: The Congress leaders have finally nominated Mr Atul Singh as a contesting candidate for the by-poll of ward no 11 in English Bazaar Municipality (EBM).

Mr Singh had been the councillor in the period from 1981 to 1990 belonging to the CPI-M but had left the party and joined the Congress after ‘90. The town Congress leaders has now finally accepted the application of Mr Singh, cancelling the other 15 applications.

The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said: “We are sorry; we could not nominate a family member of Biswanath Guho, because two members, (daughter and second wife of Guho) demanded tickets. To avoid any controversy we had to select another man who got overwhelming support from the residents of the ward.”

Guho was the Congress councillor for many years and was elected from ward no 11. He was also the vice-chairman of the EBM and district Intuc president. He was murdered last year.

The CPI-M has already nominated Mr Dilip Choudhury, branch secretary of that area.

According to the CPI-M leader, Mr Indrajit Mitra : “Dilip had contested in the last municipal election from this ward against Biswanath Guho and bagged 35 per cent votes. The party has finally decided to nominate him again. In the Lok Sabha election, the CPI-M candidate bagged 29 per cent votes from this ward no 11.”

The BJP has nominated Mr Sanjay Dey, an advocate, as its candidate for ward no 11. The BJP has always secured third position in this ward. A few years back, a senior BJP candidate (Mr Biswapriya Roy Choudhury) was elected from this ward. There are 25 seats in the EBM. At present, the Congress and the Trinamul Congress have 12 seats and run the board with the help of one elected BJP member Mr Amlan Bhaduri, who contested in North Malda Parliamentary seat. The LF has 11 seats, including one Independent elected member.