TMC faces protest in Canning East over candidate switch, supporters back Saokat Molla

The Trinamul Congress (TMC) is facing unrest in South 24-Parganas after a section of party workers launched protests in Canning East, demanding that sitting MLA Saokat Molla be retained as the candidate from the constituency instead of being shifted to Bhangar.

The protests began on Tuesday night, shortly after the ruling party released its list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, replacing as many as 74 nominees across the state. In Canning Purba, Molla ~ a two-time MLA from the seat in 2016 and 2021 ~ has been fielded from Bhangar, while the party has nominated Baharul Islam, a district-level functionary from Bhangar, for Canning East.

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Agitated supporters gathered at Jibantala in the Canning II block, staging demonstrations outside the MLA’s office. Protesters blocked roads, burnt tyres, and raised slogans through the night, opposing what they termed the imposition of an “outsider” candidate. The agitation resumed on Wednesday morning, with demonstrators reiterating their demand that Molla, whom they described as a “son of the soil”, be fielded again from Canning East. Local leaders also joined the chorus. Ichhauddin Sardar, a panchayat functionary from the Sarengabad area, said residents would not accept a candidate from outside the constituency. “We want our own representative.

Saokat Molla has been working here for years,” he said. Molla, however, refrained from commenting on the controversy. “I have nothing to say. I will abide by whatever decision the party takes,” he stated, indicating adherence to the party line. On the other hand, Baharul Islam sought to downplay the unrest, asserting there was no rift within the party. “The party’s decision is final. There is no difference of opinion with Shaukat-da,” he said. Meanwhile, BJP leader Abhijit Das Boby took a swipe at the ruling party, claiming the developments reflected internal tensions within the TMC leadership, led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.