TMC to field nearly 30 per cent new women, youth candidates

Ahead of the state assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress has decided to remove several of its sitting MLAs, paving the way for new candidates. Nearly 30 per cent of 294 constituencies are likely to have new candidates, including those of the 19 MLAs who have deserted the Trinamool to join the BJP. Sources informed on the new developments following the party's 12-member election committee headed by CM Banerjee meeting yesterday afternoon at her residence in Kalighat.

The party shall reportedly consider more youth and women with clean chits in their areas to counter the 'corrupt' image of the party put forth by the BJP.

"Reports by Prashant Kishor's I-PAC on every MLA and their constituencies are likely to play a key role in the candidate selection," said a TMC leader, who was present at the meeting, as reported by NDTV. "How the MLAs have performed in the last five years, their image in the area and acceptability will be the main parameters. This time we won't be taking any chances," he added.

Another source said, "Trinamool has always given more representation to women. This time, we expect it will be more than 30% of the total candidates. In other words, over 88 women," as reported by TOI.

In 2016, the TMC formed the government after winning 211 seats in the 294 member house. The left-congress alliance won 77 seats while the BJP won 3. However, this time, the BJP has emerged as a major contender for TMC as several of its leaders joined the saffron brigade. The election, which shall be held in eight phases, shall kick start on March 27.