Malda Cong divided over nomination

Subhro Maitra TNN
Malda: In this Congress bastion, the legacy of Barkatda still looms large. But the moot point is, who is its inheritor. This is the question most Congressmen are grappling with as the district unit faces a major challenge over the nomination of the party candidate from the newly created North Malda constituency. While sitting Malda MP and Ghani Khan’s brother Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, wants elder brother Abu Naser to contest, many partymen are dead against it. The broad view within the party is that Naser is an outsider in district politics. Though he hails from the Kotwali house, Naser is a Swiss citizen and shared a bitter relationship with Ghani Khan. He even contested against the Malda strongman in 1995 with CPM support. Leaders like Narendra Nath Tiwari, Asit Bose, Krishnendu Choudhury and others have informed the party high command of their displeasure over Naser’s candidature. AICC observers Shakil Ansari and Entaj Alam sensed the ire of district leaders against Naser. The Naser baiters are pitching for Sabitri Mitra, four-time MLA of Araidanga and a confidante of Ghani Khan.