For Siliguri Myor and former minister Ashok Bhattacharya
it is a fight to stage a comeback after his surprise defeat in the 2011
Assembly Election as he takes on former Indian football captain
Baichung Bhutia, who has taken the field as a Trinamool Congress nominee.
Ashok Bhattacharya had mobilised opposition forces and defeated
TMC in last year's election to Siliguri Municipal Corporation, which
has come to be known as a "Siliguri model"
It is being replicated in the assembly poll where Left and Congress have joined hands to fight TMC.
Aware of the celebrity status of Baichung, 66-year old Bhattacharya is leaving no stone unturned.
"After I lost in 2011 election, I did not flee. I stood with the people and fought for them," he said.
TMC has fielded Baichung Bhutia this time in place of Rudranath Bhattacharya, the dean of North Bengal Medical College who had defeated the CPI(M) stalwart in 2011, to encash on his celebrity status and get the support of young voters.
Baichung Bhutia, who had campaigned for Ashok Bhattacharya in 2011, appeared in a new role this time and is toiling hard to cement his mass contact by mingling with the people. Many young voters are seen taking selfies with him.
Of the 47 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, 33 wards were included in this assembly constituency of which Left Front holds 15 and TMC 11. Congress which has formed alliance with the Left has 4 and BJP 2 wards.
Ashok Bhattacharya, who made it a point to visit every ward in his constituency, said, "I know the people's problems. When I visit various wards as a candidate, the people open up to me. Seeing their sponteneous response I am confident of victory".
Observers say that unlike in south Bengal, Congress still has a
sizeable presence in north Bengal and the Left alliance with the party
is likely to benefit Ashok Bhattacharya.
Baichung Bhutia, however claimed, "Congress is losing steam. That is why Congress leaders are trying to save themselves by forging alliance with the Left but the grassroot workers did not accept it."
Aware of the celebrity status of Baichung, 66-year old Bhattacharya is leaving no stone unturned.
"After I lost in 2011 election, I did not flee. I stood with the people and fought for them," he said.
TMC has fielded Baichung Bhutia this time in place of Rudranath Bhattacharya, the dean of North Bengal Medical College who had defeated the CPI(M) stalwart in 2011, to encash on his celebrity status and get the support of young voters.
Baichung Bhutia, who had campaigned for Ashok Bhattacharya in 2011, appeared in a new role this time and is toiling hard to cement his mass contact by mingling with the people. Many young voters are seen taking selfies with him.
Of the 47 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, 33 wards were included in this assembly constituency of which Left Front holds 15 and TMC 11. Congress which has formed alliance with the Left has 4 and BJP 2 wards.
Ashok Bhattacharya, who made it a point to visit every ward in his constituency, said, "I know the people's problems. When I visit various wards as a candidate, the people open up to me. Seeing their sponteneous response I am confident of victory".
Baichung Bhutia, however claimed, "Congress is losing steam. That is why Congress leaders are trying to save themselves by forging alliance with the Left but the grassroot workers did not accept it."
No comments:
Post a Comment