TMC calls upset Malda leader for talks in Kol

Malda: The Trinamool Congress brass has called the party’s Malda coordinator, Dulal Sarkar, to Kolkata for talks on Thursday, a day after he gave vent to his grouse.
“I am among the founders of Trinamool in the district. I stood by Mamata-di when many had deserted her. I’ve been a councillor of English Bazar Municipality five times. Yet, the party didn’t consider me fit to become the municipality chairman.Instead, newcomers got priority,” Sarkar said on Wednesday.
Sarkar, known as a Suvendu Adhikari loyalist, timed his plainspeak three days before BJP president J P Nadda is scheduled to reach Malda on February 6, sparking speculation he was following the “quit Trinamool” script.
He had served as English Bazar Municipality vice-chairman when Krishnendu Chowdhury was the chairman. Sarkar, who retained the post when Chowdhury was replaced by Nihar Ghosh, also felt upset when Mousam Noor and Moajjem Hossain left him behind in the party hierarchy though they joined Trinamool much later.
A section of Trinamool leaders fears Sarkar was among the handful who held meetings with Suvendu before he joined BJP. Sarkar rubbished the allegation, saying he was not going with Suvendu.
BJP’s Ajoy Ganguly was quick to pitch in. “Trinamool old-timers in the district have no importance. We welcome them with honour,” he said.
Trinamool’s Malda spokesperson Sumala Agarwala said: “We don’t think Sarkar is leaving the party. He was working even today along with Nihar Ghosh in the municipality.”