Trinamool may field FICCI secretary-general in Bengal assembly polls

KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress is likely to field FICCI secretary-general and well-known economist Amit Mitra against state finance minister Asim Dasgupta in the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.

Mitra, who has taught in major universities in the USA, is likely to meet Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tomorrow at her Kalighat residence here to discuss his possible candidature, TC sources said here on Sunday.

Mitra, if elected, can very well be the finance minister of the state considering his knowledge of financial matters, sources said.

Mitra is also the chairman of an expert committee constituted by railway minister Mamata Banerjee to advise the ministry on innovative financing and implementation of the economically unviable, but socially desired projects.

The contest is set to generate much interest as Dasgupta is also a well-known economist and has taught the subject for several years, but has been criticised by opposition parties for the financial ills plaguing the state.

West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in six phases starting April 18.