Arrested in the Saradha scam and jailed for over two years, former transport minister in the Mamata Banerjee government, Madan Mitra was euphoric after his name was announced as Trinamool Congress candidate from Bhatpara Assembly constituency. “To be chosen candidate from Bhatpara is like receiving the Bharat Ratna award,” said Mitra.
“I am thankful to Mamata Banerjee as she considered me fit for this highest award,” he said.
On Thursday, Banerjee declared the names of candidates for Bhatpara and some other constituencies where by-elections will be held in the coming months. By-election in the Bhatpara assembly seat will be held as Trinamool lawmaker Arjun Singh has now joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mitra has been away from electoral politics for a long time. He fought the Assembly elections from Kamarhati seat while in jail, but had lost. Over the past few years, though Mitra stayed away from electoral politics, he was active on social media with huge fan following, and has several “fan pages” dedicated to him as well. Moments after his name was announced, he decided to go live on social media.
He expressed his gratitude to Mamata Banerjee saying she had helped him make a comeback and honoured him. He promised to do his best to honour the faith she had in him. Later, Mitra visited his former constituency Kamarhati and told the people he would be there for them too.
Names of other candidates announced by Mamata Banerjee for by-elections are Abdul Karim Choudhury for Islampur Assembly seat, Binoy Tamang, Independent candidate from the Darjeeling Assembly seat and Amal Kisku, who will fight from the Habibpur Assembly seat in Malda.
