Despite infighting, TMC looks to retain Panchla seat

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee’s words of caution to bury all hatchets and work for the candidate seems to have fallen flat in Panchla as rampant infighting has clouded the development projects taken up in the four and a half years. Braving all odds the sitting MLA Gulshan Mallick is trying hard to retain the seat and his efforts are likely to be rewarded. He had not even ruled out the possibility of a tacit support to the Opposition by some of his colleagues to ensure his defeat.    Mallick had won from the same seat defeating Roy by 12,118 votes in 2011 Assembly elections. He said: “I had witnessed many ups and downs in my political career. Despite all odds the margin this time will go up manifold,” Mallick said. There had been resentment among some leaders in the area since the name of Mallick was announced as Trinamool Congress candidate from Panchla Assembly constituency.When asked about the present situation, Mallick repented saying that this is a time to highlight the development work that had been undertaken in the constituency and how the people were benefitted of the projects. Hafizul Mallick, the Trinamool Youth congress president from Panchla, against whom the Trinamool Congress candidate have leveled the allegations, said: “We are the active members of the party. We are campaigning for the party and highlighting the development work undertaken by Mamata Banerjee in our area. But I am not ready to pass comments about our candidate.” The infighting was found to be an issue coming up in the discussion of the people at tea stalls in the area. But they gave full marks to the Trinamool Congress government in terms of development as two important bridges and around 13 wooden bridges have been constructed or under-construction here. The construction of the bridges at Islampur gram panchayat on Baisfut Canal and at Jalabiswanathpur gram panchayat were like a dream come true for the residents of the area. Moreover, setting up of new Madrasas, construction of roads and most importantly supply of safe drinking water to thousands of people.