Malda: 4 women in race to become Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati

Malda: Malda is going to have a female Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati this time with the post reserved for scheduled caste women.

Four women have qualified after the declaration of the results. The state leadership of the ruling party, Trinamool Congress, will choose one from the four qualified.

Their details have already been taken to Kolkata by Abdur Rahim Boxi, district president of the party and former Sabhadhipati, ATM Rafiqul Hossain.

Out of the 34 Trinamool winners of the 43 seats, the four qualified for the post of Sabhadhipati are Lipika Barman Ghosh of English Bazar having experience of running English Bazar Panchayat Samiti as Sabhapati; Kabita Mandal of Manikchak, has been a member for five consecutive years; Sagarika Sarkar of Gazole who defected from BJP to TMC and Mangali Chowdhury of Ratua.

The district is abuzz with the speculations on who will be chosen as the Sabhadhipati. Lipika Barman had a promotion to ZP seat after being Sabhapati of English Bazar PS for the last five years. The main session of Nabajowar programme was also held in Lipika’s area where Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were together on the stage that day. Trinamool won all the seats of the Zilla Parishad of English Bazar.

Kabita Mandal of MLA Sabitri Mitra’s constituency Manikchak had defected from the Left Front and joined the Trinamool. She also held the post of Sabhapati of Panchayat Samiti. Sagarika left the BJP and became a Zilla Parishad candidate contesting with the TMC symbol. She won the seat even after changing sides. Mangali Chowdhury won in Ratua and is a housewife. She was given a ticket by the TMC for the seat that was actually meant for her husband.

District Trinamool Congress vice-president Babla Sarkar said, “ Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee will decide on who will be the Sabhadipati. We have four SC women candidates as winning contestants.”