Ratan Malakar to file nomination as independent candidate

Outgoing co-ordinator Ratan Malakar submitted his nomination as an independent candidate in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ward after he was denied a ticket. In the list of pre-poll Trinamool candidates announced on Friday, Kajri Bandyopadhyay, wife of CM’s brother Kartik Bandyopadhyay, was made a candidate in the ward of the Chief Minister’s house.

As soon as the name was announced, campaign started and Ratan did not take part in it. On the last day, he submitted his nomination as an independent candidate in ward no. 73. Ratan, who is also the chairman of Boro-9, said: “I have voluntarily become an independent candidate. I don’t want to say anything against anyone.”

In 2000, Ratan stood for the first time as a TMC candidate in Ward No. 71. At the behest of the then Leader of the Opposition Mamata Banerjee, the leaders accepted Ratan as their candidate. He was shifted to ward no. 73 in 2005.

He became a councillor from the ward of the Chief Minister’s house in 2005, 2010 and 2015. But Ratan was not made a candidate this time. Ward 73 is part of the Chief Minister’s Assembly constituency Bhabanipur. On Tuesday, Sachchidananda Bandyopadhyay, former chairman of Kolkata municipality, stood as an independent candidate in ward no 80, after being denied a ticket from ward number 70.

Trinamool is uneasy as there are two independent candidates in the Chief Minister’s constituency. Former Minister Subrata Mukherjee’s sister Tanima Chatterjee has become an independent candidate. Her name was withdrawn after the announcement. December 4 is the last day for withdrawal of nominations.

However, South Kolkata district Trinamool president Debashis Kumar has spoken harshly against Sachchidananda and Ratan. “Many stand as independent candidates for many reasons. Fourth is the last day for withdrawal of nomination. If they withdraw their nomination on that day, then it is all right. But if they do not withdraw their nomination, we will take appropriate action.”