Cracks surface in Trinamool

By Our Special Correspondent

CALCUTTA, MAY 15. That the Trinamool Congress - like the ruling CPI(M) - is affected by intra-party strife became evident with a key Trinamool functionary's open statement that the party chief and Railway Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, is ignoring her time- tested associates only to accommodate relative newcomers from the Congress(I).

Mr. Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Trinamool MLA and till the other day a close Mamata aide, virtually dropped a bombshell on Sunday when he charged Ms. Banerjee's with showering favours on the newcomers.

``Ms. Banerjee, who has been a believer in value-based politics, is now a prisoner in the hands of those who believe in individual-centred politics. The party will have to pay a heavy price for this,'' Mr. Chattopadhyay is reported to have commented.

Mr. Chattopadhyay, also a leader of the party's labour wing, is one of Ms. Banerjee's very few associates who stuck to her despite all odds since the day she broke away from the Sonia Gandhi-presided Congress(I).

His ire is directed mainly at Mr. Subrata Mukherjee and Mr. Pankaj Banerjee, both legislators. Of the two, Mr. Mukherjee, one-time mentor of Ms. Banerjee, is at the centre of many an intra-Trinamool fight. The reason for his intense dislike for Mr. Mukherjee is not far to seek. Ms. Banerjee has almost decided to field Mr. Mukherjee as mayor in the coming Calcutta Municipal Corporation election ignoring the hard work Mr. Chattopadhyay has put in over the years to create bases for the Trinamool.

For one Chattopadhyay who has mustered courage to speak his mind, there are many others in the party who harbour similar feelings but dare not air them lest they invite the wrath of Ms. Banerjee, known for taking a stern view of such outbursts by subordinates.

``I will most certainly not campaign for him (Mr. Mukherjee) if he is going to be projected as mayor,'' Mr. Chattopadhyay said. According to observers, Mr. Chattopadhyay, though hurt, does not contemplate a return to his parent party, Congress(I), just now. Like many, he would probably wait for the outcome of the civic elections. If the Trinamool performs reasonably well, he, along with others, might stay put. If it does not, they might start looking at other options.

Mr. Chattopadhyay's opposition to Mr. Mukherjee has gone down well with the BJP.

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