By IANS,
Kolkata : Within hours of the Election Commission announcing the Lok Sabha polls, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee announced that popular Bengali film actor Satabdi Roy and singer Kabir Sumon will contest on her party ticket in West Bengal.
While Sumon has been in the vanguard of the Trinamool Congress-led agitations across the state against acquisition of farmland for industries, Roy has also been seen sharing the platform with Banerjee at her protest movements.
“We want Satabdi to win the Lok Sabha polls on Trinamool Congress ticket and represent our party in the Parliament. We always want intellectuals to take part in our political programmes,” Banerjee told reporters.
She said: “I believe Satabdi will be a good spokesperson of the common people and will represent the grassroot-level citizens of West Bengal in parliament.”
Banerjee, however, declined to say from which seat Satabdi would contest.
“I always wanted to do something for Mamata Banerjee and her party. I am now happy that I’ve got a chance to do something good for the common people,” Satabdi said.
Sumon said he had held detailed discussions with Banerjee on contesting the polls.
“She had requested me to fight the election on a Trinamool ticket. I have held discussions with her on my candidature. And after detailed talks, I agreed,” Sumon told IANS.
“However, contrary to speculation, I am in the dark about the constituency from which I will be fielded,” he said.