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TMC Shakes Up Bengal Poll Strategy: Ministers May Switch Seats

The Trinamool Congress leadership has begun closed-door meetings to select candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Discussions include potentially changing the constituencies of some heavyweight ministers and veteran MLAs. The party is also debating how to balance experienced "old guards" with fresh "new faces," including non-political celebrities, in its candidate list. Simultaneously, the party is finalizing its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state.

Key Points: TMC May Change Constituencies of Ministers for Bengal Polls

  • Closed-door candidate selection meetings
  • Ministers may contest new seats
  • Balancing old guards with new faces
  • Inclusion of celebrity candidates
2 min read

Bengal polls: Change of constituencies likely for some heavyweight ministers, veteran Trinamool legislators

Trinamool Congress holds secret meetings to discuss candidate list, potential seat changes for ministers, and inclusion of celebrity faces for Bengal Assembly elections.

"There is a likelihood of some major surprises in the party's candidate list this time - Trinamool Congress sources"

Kolkata, Feb 20

As the initial process of selection of party candidates from the 294 constituencies in West Bengal for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state this year has already started, the Trinamool Congress leadership is considering changing the constituencies of some heavyweight members of the state cabinet and some veteran party legislators.

Party sources said that already two rounds of closed-door meetings involving very few select leaders in the topmost structure of the party pyramid took place on Wednesday and Thursday, at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at Kalighat in Kolkata, during which initial discussions were held on the selection of the probable candidates for the Assembly polls later this year.

Party sources said that some probable names of existing cabinet members and veteran party MLAs were discussed who might be fielded from different constituencies this time.

At the same time, the party sources added, there were discussions on the probable names of existing party legislators who might get re-nomination this time and will be utilised strictly for organisational assignments.

The third point of discussion in the selective closed-door meetings on Wednesday and Thursday was on how to make a perfect balance between "old guards" and "new faces" in the candidate list this time.

The fourth and final point of discussion was about the inclusion of new non-political faces from the celebrity world and other professions, including media, in the candidate list. "There is a likelihood of some major surprises in the party's candidate list this time," said the Trinamool Congress sources.

Meanwhile, discussion has also started for the choice of the candidates for the forthcoming elections for the five Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal on March 16. Out of five Rajya Sabha seats, Trinamool Congress is all set to comfortably bag four, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have to settle with one, as per the numerical strengths of the two parties in the state Assembly.

The party sources said that out of the four seats in the Upper House of the Parliament where the victory of the Trinamool Congress candidates is assured, three will be hardcore party leaders, while one will be a non-political face but with an excellent network in the political circles in the national capital.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move if they bring in fresh, educated faces from different professions. We need people who understand governance, not just politics. But please, no more film stars who disappear after winning! Give us candidates who will actually work for their constituency.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to watch from a political strategy perspective. Balancing old guards with new faces is crucial for any party's longevity. The inclusion of a non-political face for Rajya Sabha with Delhi connections is a smart tactical move for national influence.
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Aman W
Didi knows how to play the game. Changing constituencies for heavyweights protects them if their old area is shaky. But what about the local party workers? They build relationships for years and then their leader is shifted. Must be frustrating for them.
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Karthik V
As a Bengali, I just hope this candidate selection focuses on competence. We have suffered enough with poor infrastructure and unemployment. Whether it's an old guard or a new face, we need MLAs who deliver on promises. No more empty slogans, please.
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Nikhil C
The mention of "non-political faces from celebrity world" is worrying. We've seen how that turns out. They get the ticket because of fame, not because they understand the issues of common people. Politics is serious business, not a side gig. 🙏

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