Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha member, slams WBPCC chief Adhir Chowdhury for making snide remarks against Yusuf Pathan.
Pathan is contesting from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat on a Trinamul ticket.
Mr Ray said once the name of Mr Pathan, an acclaimed cricketer, was announced as a candidate from Baharampur seat, Adhir Chowdhury felt nervous and was speaking ill about him.
“There are two Congresses in India. Indian National Congress (INC) and Adhir Ranjan Congress (ARC). Once Mr Pathan’s name was announced, Mr Chowdhury became nervous. So he started speaking nonsense,” Mr Ray said.
Over the years Mr Chowdhury has established himself as the undisputed leader of Baharampur. Starting his career as an RSP cadre, Mr Chowdhury first became an MLA and then an MP. He had picked up differences with Atish Sinha and after Sinha’s death established himself an undisputed leader. Over the years, his popularity has diminished and there is erosion of his vote bank.
With a quadrangular fight in his constituency, there is a fair chance of Mr Pathan winning the seat.
Meanwhile, Trinamul Congress is gearing up to start campaigning. Party workers have started writing wall graffiti across the state. Abhishek Banerjee will visit the constituencies. Mamata Banerjee, party’s chairperson is also going to hold meetings in the constituencies.
Trinamul Congress will highlight the deprivation of the Centre and how poor people have been denied their dues.
Trinamul Congress has cleared the dues of 59 lakh job card holders under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.
Trinamul Congress announced its list of 42 candidates yesterday. Six MPs have been dropped while new faces have been nominated. Two former international cricketers, Kirti Azad and Yusuf Pathan are contesting in the election. There are 11 women candidates, one retired IPS officer and five actors, including Saayoni Ghosh and Rachana Bandyopadhyay.