Pranab’s son among many new faces in Cong list

Abhijit Mukherjee has got ticket from Nalhati constituency in Birbhum district. The party has also given tickets to two other sons of Congress MPs — Shamik Hussain,son of Mannan Hussain,from Domkal in Murshidabad; and Isha Khan Chowdhury,son of A H A Khan Chowdhury from Baisabnagar in Malda.

Although AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed,observer for West Bengal,said that the list was prepared on the basis on winnability chances,there is growing discontent in the state party unit. Some leaders who did not find a place in the list — like six-time MLA from Kolkata Port Ram Pyare Ram — said they would contest as Independents.

Ahmed told The Indian Express that the list was finalised on Thursday night at a meeting of the party Central Election Commitee in presence of party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Among those denied a ticket was Pradip Bhattacharya,former party working president,who said he felt cheated. “If senior party leaders are denied tickets,what respect are we showing to their dedication.”

Of the seven Youth Congress candidates given tickets,four are from minority communities and one each from SC and ST. Two are female candidates.