Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 1 (IANS) Taking potshots at the top Trinamool Congress leadership, a party legislator Sunday said she was incapable of doing “politics of sycophancy” and complained of “factional feuds” in the outfit.

Shikha Mitra, lawmaker from central Kolkata’s Bowbazar constituency and wife of Trinamool MP Somen Mitra, also described United Progressive Alliance presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee as the most deserving candidate for the top post.

“I cannot speak out my mind where I am now. Does politics only mean factional feuds? I am unable to do anything for the people though they have voted for me. I am committed to the people. So, I often think what is the use of occupying this post (of legislator)?” she said.

Mitra, who was speaking at the 130th birth anniversary celebrations of former West Bengal chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy, said: “I can never indulge in the politics of sycophancy.”

Referring to her personal equations with Mukherjee, she said, “I know him for 30 years. He is the most deserving presidential candidate in India. I can say this 1,000 times.”

The Trinamool, the second largest constituent of the ruling UPA in New Delhi, is yet to announce its stand on the presidential choice after its preferred candidate, former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, declined to contest.

However, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has so far been firmly opposing Mukherjee’s bid for the country’s presidency.

But Mitra made it clear that she would abide by the party line in the July 19 presidential election. “I won’t go against the party. I will go by the party decision.”

Mitra’s outburst against her party leadership has set tongues wagging amidst speculation that she could be articulating the views of her husband Somen - a veteran politician and a former state Congress president.

The Mitra duo are known to be disgruntled and are generally kept out of the party’s decision-making process.