The Trinamul Congress is grappling with internal discord ahead of the November 13 by-election in the Haroa Assembly constituency.

Despite concerted attempts by senior TMC leaders to present a united front, tensions remain high with the bypoll knocking on the door. The urgency to strike a united front became evident with senior Trinamul leaders working intensely to resolve factional conflicts in Haroa.

On Tuesday, top state leaders, including ministers Sujit Bose and Firhad Hakim, met key local figures, including Abdul Khaleque Mollah, Safique Ahmed and Farid Zamadar, to seek their cooperation and address grievances that fueled recent hostilities within the organisation.

One of the main sources of contention is the control over bheries (fisheries) in the region, which significantly influences local politics. Another reason is the nomination of Rabiul Islam, son of the late Basirhat MP Haji Nurul Islam, as the TMC candidate for the Haroa seat.

Islam’s nomination has sparked dissatisfaction, especially among supporters of Khaleque Mollah, who had expected the candidature.

In response, Khaleque’s faction has been accused of circulating posters to voice their discontent and demand that a “son of the soil” should have represented the constituency. This, a TMC insider said, was an apparent dig at Islam, who hails from neighbouring Deganga.

The party insider said these divisions could undermine voter turnout for the TMC, potentially benefiting Opposition forces.

Although Khaleque denied any personal role in demanding the nomination of a local but Rabiul sounded confident.

“People vote for Mamata Banerjee; the rest is immaterial. A Trinamul victory is a foregone conclusion,” Rabiul said.

Nevertheless, at an election rally on Wednesday, senior TMC leader Sujit Bose made an emotional appeal, urging party supporters to rally behind Rabiul.

“Rabiul has been nominated respecting the sentiment of many party supporters. So please vote for him to pay respect to Haji Nurul, who once served you,” he said with folded hands.

Haji Nurul was elected from Haroa in 2021. But, this year, he successfully fought the Lok Sabha poll, quitting the seat which necessitated the by-election. Unfortunately, he recently died of cancer.

In Haroa, Minakha, and Basirhat, vast bheri lands heavily influence local politics, and recent disputes over their control have intensified tensions among party leaders like Khaleque Mollah, Shafique Ahmed, and Chittaranjan Mondal, husband of Minakhan MLA Usha Rani Mondal.

These disputes have strained the TMC’s support base at the grassroots level. Despite the party’s strong backing among Muslim voters, who constitute about 65 per cent of the electorate in Haroa, party insiders are concerned that ongoing discord could weaken their standing.

The by-election is anticipated to be a tough battle, as the TMC is set to face a consolidated Opposition front with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and the CPM joining hands to present a formidable challenge, particularly due to their strong influence among the Muslim community.

This alliance is expected to attract a significant portion of voters who are disillusioned with TMC’s internal conflicts and might otherwise lean towards a unified non-BJP Opposition.