Kolkata, Sept. 18 -- The CPI(M) on Friday claimed that Left, democratic and secular forces would emerge as the principal Opposition to the BJP in West Bengal, citing the organisational crisis in the TMC.
The remarks came amid the Election Commission's decision to allot rival names and symbols to two Trinamool factions ahead of the October 6 bypolls.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the 'Football Player' symbol, while the Arup Roy-led faction received 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the
'Envelope' symbol.
CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said the TMC had lost its earlier identity and symbol within four months of the Assembly results.
He also pointed to the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey as the Mamata camp's Nandigram candidate.
Banerjee subsequently announced support for the Congress candidate in Nandigram.
Chakraborty alleged the decision reflected desperation, while the withdrawal followed Pradhan Dey's meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.