Members of three families — in Malda, Cooch Behar and Balurghat of north Bengal — are contesting against each other at Sunday's civic elections.

In Malda, Pranab Bhattacharya, a retired schoolteacher, is contesting as the Congress candidate in ward 7 of Englishbazar municipality. His younger brother Pranay, an income tax lawyer, is contesting for the BJP.

Although Trinamul has fielded sitting councillor Subrata Sardar and CPI a retired municipal employee Manik Ghosh, it is the fight between the Bhattacharya brothers that has stolen much of the show.

“Pranay is very close to me. I am not fighting against him as an individual but against the policies of the BJP which I believe are anti-people,” said Pranab, a veteran political worker.

Pranay, on the other hand, is relatively new in politics.

“It is simply coincidental that my elder brother is one of my opponents in the civic elections. I have deep respect for him. But during the campaign I have sought peoples’ support for my party, the BJP,” he said.

Meena Tar. Telegraph photo

In ward 2 of Cooch Behar, there is a similar scene. Meena Tar, a senior councillor, is the Trinamul candidate and her son Ujjal, an Independent.

“Though Meena Tar was the councillor, it was her son Ujjal who used to work for her. He was confident that the party would give him the ticket this time. But as his mother again got the ticket, he got disgruntled and decided to contest as an Independent,” said a local Trinamul leader.

Both of them have campaigned extensively and each feels confident of victory.

“I do not want to mix family and politics at all. Many residents here have told me that I should be their councillor which is why I have filed the nomination,” said Ujjal.

In ward 13 of Balurghat town, homemaker Aparna Mohanta has been fielded by the RSP while her daughter Anushree is the Trinamul candidate for the ward.

Local residents said Subodh Mohanta, a homoeopath in Dakra-Mohantapara in Chakbhrigu area of Balurghat is an RSP veteran and is well-known in the area.

This time, the party has selected his wife as its candidate for the ward.

“His daughter Anushree is married and stays in a neighbouring area. Trinamul has, on the other hand, given her a ticket," said a resident.

Both Aparna and Anushree, said the contest will not impact their relationship.

“It is her (daughter Anushree’s) personal decision to contest from Trinamul. While campaigning, I have not spoken out against my daughter but against Trinamul,” said Aparna.