Mamata may queer pitch for Pranab's son in by-poll

If TMC fields a serious candidate tomorrow, winning Jangipur seat may not be easy for Abhijit Mukherjee

As a direct fallout of the exit of Trinamool Congress (TMC) from the UPA government, the President of India Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit might find himself in troubled waters in the coming bye-election of Jangipur Lok Sabha seat.

As Pranab Mukherjee became the President of India, his Lok Sabha seat Jangipur in Murshidabad fell vacant and Election Commission arranged for the bye-election on October 10. The Congress has nominated Abhijit, son of Pranab Mukherjee, to contest from Jangipur.

Today, the CPI (M), the Congress and the BJP candidates filed their nomination papers to the returning officer and district magistrate of Murshidabad. Though the TMC did not make its decision to contest the election, its party workers have collected nomination papers today.

Tomorrow being the final day for filing nomination for Jangipur bye-election, it is to be seen whether the TMC fields a serious candidate there to queer the pitch for Abhijit or not.
 
Jangipur is a Muslim majority constituency (68.7%). Last time Pranab Mukherjee won the seat defeating the nearest rival CPI (M)’s Mriganka Bhattacharjee by more than one lakh votes. This time the CPI (M) has put up Mujaffar Hussain, a member of the minority community and member of the party’s state committee.

The BJP has put up Sudhangshu Biswas as their candidate. Though the BJP has a pocket vote there, it is not in a position to put up a serious fight. If the TMC puts up a candidate there, then in mostly a triangular contest, Abhijit might find himself in for a tough fight.

Also, the Jangipur bye-election could be a testing ground to find out whether Mamata Banerjee’s overtly attempts to win the Muslim support to her side bears fruit or not. For the last 16 months she has been wooing the Muslims.

Some of her decisions like giving special allowance to the thousands of Imams have drawn flak from various sections of the society. Muslims did not like it, as they consider it improper for the Imams to accept money from the government instead of getting paid by the Muslim society.

Also, Hindu priests have gone to court demanding similar treatment by the government. Mamata even suggested that to grow a fellow feeling with the Muslims, the Hindus should observe Roza during the Ramadan month.
 
Meanwhile, The PCC president Pradip Bhattacharjee has made it clear today that his party ministers will resign from the Mamata Banerjee government tomorrow and the party will sit in the opposition bench in the state assembly.

He also made it clear that the Congress will go all out to highlight the shortcomings of the state government in controlling the fast deteriorating law and order situation and growing attack on women by anti-social elements.