Trinamool nominates Subrata Bakshi for Kolkata South LS seat by-poll

A file picture of Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressing an election meeting for TMC candidate Subrata Bakshi during the West Bengal Assembly elections 2006. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish.

Trinamool Congress candidate Subrata Bakshi will contest the November 30 by-poll to the Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha seat vacated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following her election to the state Assembly.

“Subrata Bakshi, the president of the state Trinamool Congress will be our party candidate in the coming bye-election to the Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha seat,” the chief minister announced at a party meeting here on Wednesday.

Mr. Bakshi, the PWD and Transport minister and also known as a close aide of Banerjee, had earlier vacated the Bhowanipore seat to enable the Trinamool Congress chief to contest.

The seat fell vacant after Ms. Banerjee resigned on October 8 as Lok Sabha member after winning the Bhowanipore Assembly by-poll to make her maiden entry to the state Legislature.

By-polls for the Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha seat and eight Assembly constituencies across six states will be held on November 30, the Election Commission said on Tuesday.

The Trinamool Congress, the second largest constituent of the UPA, at present has 18 Lok Sabha members.