Several MLAs of the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal have come out openly in support of the Independent candidates in the State’s panchayat polls, prompting questions about factionalism in the ruling party.
The MLAs’ support to the Independents came despite the Trinamool Congress leadership issuing a clear direction to the Independents to withdraw their candidature for the panchayat polls. Last week, senior leaders of the party held a press conference and said that if the Independents did not withdraw, they would not be allowed to join the Trinamool Congress in future.
Not only have some of the MLAs expressed support for the Independents but in some cases, they have also decided to campaign for these candidates. “We will ensure that those who have been deprived, and have received symbols of boat, table and chairs, will win the panchayat polls,” said Humayun Kabir, Trinamool Congress MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad. The MLA dared the Trinamool Congress leadership to remove him from the post of MLA.
