Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday virtually announced that expelled MP Mahua Moitra would be renominated as the Trinamul candidate from Krishnanagar in the Lok Sabha polls and asserted that she would emerge victorious in the people’s court.
Speaking at a public meeting in Nadia’s Santipur on Thursday, Mamata praised Mahua and accused the BJP of throwing her out of Parliament. She said the people would give a fitting reply to the BJP.
“You can use power to show her the door... but Mahua will come up victorious by the people’s verdict. I do believe that the people will come out to give a fitting reply for the injustice meted out to her.”
Mahua, who wouldn’t stop raising questions in Parliament on the expansion of the Adani empire during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, was expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8 without being given a chance to speak.
A report of the ethics committee that had indicted her for “unethical conduct” and “contempt of the House” in a “cash for query” case was used to banish Mahua amid protests over the violation of the “fundamental principles of natural justice” and a walkout by the united Opposition.
Even before her expulsion from Parliament and the ethics committee taking up Mahua’s matter, Mamata had on November 13 signalled her support for the then MP by appointing her Trinamul’s Nadia North organisational district president as part of a larger organisational reshuffle. Mahua also enjoys the support of Trinamul’s second-in-command, Abhishek Banerjee.
Trinamul insiders said a renomination for the firebrand ex-Krishnanagar MP would not be a surprise, but Mamata’s near announcement on Thursday before the finalisation of the list of party candidates once again confirmed her support for Mahua.
The announcement was made despite a major lobby in the Nadia unit, particularly the old guard, often complaining to the top leadership about Mahua’s functioning and “highhanded” behaviour.
Party insiders said the decision to renominate Mahua from Krishnanagar and Mamata’s public support for her is significant as winning the seat, which has a sizeable minority population, is a major challenge for Bengal’s ruling party.
“In Nadia, Trinamul is suffering from a leadership crisis and the BJP has a major influence in at least four Assembly segments. Mamata is aware of the organisational issues and wants to use Mahua’s popularity to overcome the challenge,” a Trinamul leader in Nadia said.
“Moreover, Mahua may have rubbed some party leaders the wrong way but she is popular in her constituency for nurturing it in an organised manner throughout the year. Things did not change even after her expulsion.
“She regularly visits the Assembly segments that make up her Lok Sabha constituency and holds small organisational meetings to keep the party workers active. So Mahua’s nomination is a foregone conclusion despite the complaints from a few party colleagues.”
At Thursday’s public meeting, Mamata did not hide her preference for Mahua and was seen interacting with her on multiple occasions. The expelled MP also accompanied the chief minister during her roadshow in Krishnanagar.
Acknowledging Mamata’s “support”, Mahua told The Telegraph: “I am very grateful to Mamatadi for her love and support. I hope the people of Krishnanagar Lok Sabha (constituency) will continue to place their faith in Didi and our party.”
