Civic polls West Bengal: TMC sees little threat from BJP

KOLKATA: After a long spell of infighting, CBI probe into Saradha scam and alleged involvement of some its leaders, the Trinamool Congress is getting rejuvenated as BJP does not seem to be as big a threat as it seemed earlier. TMC is fighting the civic elections under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee who has asked leaders not to indulge in mud-slinging.

Party insiders on Wednesday said that Mamata had asked her leaders to end infighting and put up a joint fight in the last leg of civic polls on April 25. She reminded her leaders of the assembly elections next year and said a good show now will seal the prospects of BJP in 2016. She also made it clear that she would not entertain any of her leaders were hand in glove with the BJP.

“A handful of our MLAs and leaders are openly hobnobbing with the BJP. I want to make it clear that those MLAs and MPs who are in touch with BJP, would not not get party tickets in future,” Mamata reportedly told her trusted leaders who have conveyed her decision to the party’s rank and file. After her warning, TMC leaders have stopped issuing remarks which could damage party’s image.

Mamata has made Mukul Roy’s son, Subhransu, a candidate for April 25 civic polls. “Subhransu is our MLA and Didi has made him our candidate in Kanchrapara despite Mukul Da’s recent role. This suggests that Didi does not believe in politics of revenge and does not encourage any sort of inner-party squabble,” said a senior party leader.