ELECTION RESULT

CPM rusticated from Tufanganj

 

COOCH BEHAR, May 21: Tufanganj sub-division is known as the Red Bastion of the CPI-M in Cooch Behar district but the result of the three-tier panchayat election squandered that myth today. The CPI-M lost its control over the Panchayat Samitis of Tufanganj-I and Tufanganj-II.

 

In Tufanganj-I CPI-M received 15 seats only. Here the Trinamul Congress bagged 16 seats, BJP two seats and an independent candidate one seat. In Tufanganj-II CPI-M got 10 seats and others collectively received 19 seats.

 

Secretary of Cooch Behar district CPI-M, Mr Chandi Pal admitted that their result was not good in the two Panchayat Samitis. He passed the blame on the grand alliance of forces like KLO, ULFA, GCDP, Kamtapuris and others. He however admitted of organisational weaknesses of the party too. At the same time he maintained that the Left Front done well in Zilla Parishad tire by securing 27 seats in 29 seats.

 

The result is not well enough for the Left Front, believes the district Forward Bloc secretary Mr Udayan Guha. At the same time he said that Forward Bloc did well than the previous election. About the Left Front's defeat in two Panchayat Samitis in Tufanganj he opined, "We should think over it. We should correct our errors to get rid of more damages."

 

When asked about the two ZP seats where the CPI-M and the FB wrestled against each other but the FB candidates lost to the CPI-M candidates, Mr Guha said, "We missed a chance to be glad but it is still good that no anti-LF candidate won in those seats by taking advantage of the difference between two LF parties".

 

District Trinamul Congress president Mr Rabindra Nath Ghosh termed the CPI-M's defeat in Tufanganj as the verdict of the people against the CPI-M's misrule and tyranny.

 

Apprehending that Tufanganj and some other areas may pose as the turning point political bigwigs like state CPI-M secretary Mr Biman Bose, Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee, Congress leaders Dr Manas Bhuinya and Mr Somen Mitra and BJP leader Mr Rahul Sinha had visited this district to campaign in favour of their candidates. []