Bengal urban development minister Firhad Hakim is likely to replace jailed Trinamul Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal at a government programme where job letters will be distributed to 238 land-losers in the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine project area on Saturday afternoon.
Sources said in February and July, Mondal, in his capacity as the chairperson of the State Rural Development Authority, had helmed two programmes to hand over job letters to land-losers.
At those two events, the state government had handed over job letters to around 400 land-losers.
“Most of those 238 land-losers would get their appointment letters as Group D employees according to an alteration of the rehabilitation package,” said a source.
The government had recently amended the rehabilitation package that entitles minors to an allowance of Rs 10,000 per month till they turn 18, while those not fulfilling the required criteria for jobs as constables will be appointed as Group D employees.
Saturday’s event will be the first after the CBI arrested Mondal on August 11 on charges of providing “safe passage” for cattle being smuggled into Bangladesh.
In his absence, the ruling party is left with no leaders who enjoy the clout of Mondal and sources said realising the ground reality, chief minister Mamata Banerjee decided to rush Hakim to helm the Saturday event.
“On earlier two occasions, Anubrata Mondal headed the events of handing over job letters to land-losers. As he is in jail, we communicated with Nabanna whether any senior minister or official would attend the programme in Birbhum. The government informed us recently that minister Firhad Hakim would preside over the event,” said a senior official.
Trinamul leaders have said the decision to depute Hakim to lead the programme at Suri in Birbhum district is significant as it sends the message that the party has no alternative face in the absence of Mondal.
“There was no need to send a leader or minister from Calcutta when Keshto da (Anubrata’s nickname) was in the district. Now, it proves that there is no one in Birbhum who can replace the leader. As a result, Bobby da (Hakim) is being sent to head the event,” said a senior Trinamul leader.
A group of five senior leaders is jointly leading Trinamul’s organisation in Birbhum since Mondal’s arrest.
A section of Trinamul insiders said the district was facing a serious leadership crisis.
“There is a lack of coordination among leaders on the ground. Even senior leaders are trying to cover up the vacuum created by Mondal’s arrest, but many block and town leaders are playing beyond their guidance,” said a source.
A senior Trinamul leader in Calcutta admitted that the party was yet to think about any other face to replace Mondal.
“The district is very sensitive now. There are many senior leaders there but no one can replace Mondal. On the other hand, a strong leadership is required before panchayat polls. Birbhum is under the radar of both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee,” said the leader.