Alliance in shambles as CPI(M), Congress workers refuse to participate in joint rallies

The unofficial alliance between Congress and Left Front seemed to have lost all its steam in the city with the election just 10 days away.

Election in 11 constituencies will be held on April 21 and April 30.

Election in North and Central Kolkata having seven constituencies will go for polls on April 21. The seven constituencies are--Kashipur- Belgachia, Maicktala, Shyampukur, Jorasanko,Beleghata, Entally and Chowringhee. Election for four seats will be held on April 30 in South Kolkata. These are Bhowanipore, Ballygunge, Tollygunge and Kolkata Port.

In Kashipur- Belgachia where election will be held on April 21, the sitting MLA Mala Saha will be contesting against Kaninika Ghosh of CPI(M). 

It was amazing to see that Rajdeo Goala, a powerful secretariat member of the Kolkata district committee of CPI(M) and former MLA from Belgachia, campaign for Ghosh after garlanding a statue of Indira Gandhi. Goala has been criticising Congress since the beginning and he is seen in public paying homage to the statue of Mrs Gandhi.

Majority of the Congress workers are not taking part in the rallies as the misbehaviour of Ghosh towards senior Congress leaders is still fresh in their memory. “We saw her spitting on the face of our leader and now do you expect us to rally with her,” said Biswarup Dasgupta , a Congress worker. 

In vast areas, surrounding Sinthee, more roadside tombs were built in the memory of those CPI(M) workers who were killed by Congress activists in the 1970s. Political experts said that there would not be 100 per cent vote transfer and this would go in favour of TMC. In Shyampukur, Maniktala, Jorasanko, Entally and Beleghata there are no wall writing in favour of the candidates representing the alliance. Piyali Pal of Forward Block is contesting against Sashi Panja in Shyampukur. The maximum turnout in her street corners would be anything between 25 and 30 persons. The exception is Chowringhee where Somen Mitra is contesting against Nayana Bandopadhyay of TMC. Mitra has his own pull and he is exploring every chance to win the election. 

In Maniktala and Entally, Congress workers cannot be seen. Political experts feel that apart from Chowringhee there will not be any fight in other seats and TMC will retain them.