Quick on the heels of rebel Trinamool Congress MP Somen Mitra making public his decision to “rejoin my mother party, Congress”, the Bengal’s ruling outfit has brought under close surveillance a set of party MPs who are in good terms with the defecting parliamentarian.
According to inside sources, these MPs are unlikely to get ticket at the hustings. Though Mitra refused to disclose the names of the so-called nonconformist MPs who were reported to be in concert with him Trinamool leadership have zeroed in on afew names who had either shown a rebellious conduct — before tendering apology to party chief Mamata Banerjee — or have been in touch with the Congress leaders via Mitra.
“Trinamool is the largest party in Bengal and is confident of getting 35 seats if not more in the elections. We have the designated committees in place to decide on various issues. Distribution of election tickets is only one such issue. Things will be decided by our party chief when the appropriate time comes,” said a senior Trinamool leader and a State Minister refusing to comment on Somen Mitra episode.
“We will definitely keep the performance of a sitting MP and his loyalty towards the party in view before deciding on a repeat term. The party is keeping a close watch on all developments both in Bengal and Delhi so the leadership will speak up at an appropriate moment,” the leader said.
Curiously unlike what has been usual for the past one year or so Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hasobserved a studied silence over Mitra’s announcement to quit the outfit. Similarly, the Bengal Pradesh Congress has also not exhibited any kind of euphoria over the issue.