Trinamool Congress has thrown down the gauntlet by revealing its contenders for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the forthcoming 2024 elections, a move that seems to have ruffled feathers within the INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress. The announcement, made by Abhishek Banerjee during the Brigrade Ground march, included some notable selections and exclusions, signaling a firm stance by the party.
Among the key highlights, former cricketer Yusuf Pathan’s nomination for the Baharampur constituency stands out. This decision potentially pits him against Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a longstanding representative of the Congress stronghold. The Baharampur seat has historically been associated with Congress, making this move a significant political maneuver.
Additionally, the exclusion of sitting MP Nusrat Jahan from the Basirhat constituency, possibly in response to recent controversies, underscores the party’s strategic considerations. In her place, Haji Nurul Islam has been nominated, reflecting a calculated shift in candidate selection.
Furthermore, the announcement sees Mahua Moitra’s candidacy for the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat, marking her return to the electoral arena after previous controversies. Similarly, actor Saayoni Ghosh replaces Mimi Chakraborty in the Jadavpur constituency, following Chakraborty’s decision to step away from politics.
The revelation of these candidates is not without its implications, particularly regarding the ongoing negotiations within the INDIA bloc. The Congress, in response, reiterated its stance on the importance of collaborative efforts in countering the BJP. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress general secretary, emphasized the party’s commitment to reaching a mutually agreeable seat-sharing arrangement with the TMC through dialogue, rather than unilateral declarations.
Overall, Trinamool’s unveiling of its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections signifies a calculated move, setting the stage for intense political contests while also highlighting the complexities of coalition politics in the region.
Here’s the full list of 42 candidates for Trinamool Congress Cooch Behar
– Jagdish Chandra Basunia Alipurduar
– Prakash Chik Baraik (Rajya Sabha member) Jalpaiguri
– Nirmal Chandra Rai (MLA) Darjeeling
– Gopal Lama Raiganj
– Krishna Kalyani Balurghat
– Biplab Mitra (minister) Malda North
– Prasun Banerjee (former IPS officer) Malda South
– Shanawaz Ali Rehman Jangipur
– Khalilur Rehman Baharampur
– Yusuf Pathan (Former Indian cricketer) Murshidabad
– Abu Taher Khan Krishnanagar
– Mahua Moitra Ranaghat
– Mukut Mani Adhikari (BJP MLA) Bangaon
– Biswajit das Barrackpore
– Partha Bhowmick (minister) Dum Dum
– Saugata Roy (MP) Barasat
– Kakali Ghosh Dastidar (MP) Basirhat
– Haji Nurul Islam Joynagar
– Pratima Mondal Mathurapur
– Bapi Haldar Diamond Harbour
– Abhishek Banerjee Jadavpur
– Saayoni Ghosh (youth TMC president) Kolkata South
– Mala Roy (MP) Kolkata North
– Sudip Bandopadhyay (MP) Howrah
– Prasun Banerjee (MP) Uluberia
– Sajda Ahmed Srirampur
– Kalyan Banerjee (MP) Hooghly
– Rachana Banerjee (Actor) Arambagh
– Mitali Bagh Tamluk
– Debangshu Bhattacharya Kanthi
– Uttam Barik Ghatal
– Dipak Adhikari (MP) Jhargram
– Kalipada Soren Medinipur
– June Maliah (MLA) Purulia
– Shantiram Mahato Bankura
– Arup Chakraborty (MLA) Bishnupur
– Sujata Mondal Khan (incumbent BJP MP’s ex-wife) Burdwan
– Dr. Sharmila Sarkar Burdwan-Durgapur- Kirti Azad (ex-cricketer) Asansol
– Shatrughan Sinha (MP) Bolur – Asit Mal (MP) Birbhum – Shatabdi Roy (MP)