Ballygunge Byelections: A three way battle for ballots

BY A STAFF REPORTER : A turncoat politician, daughter of a decorated army general and an energetic young lady is in fray for the prestigious Ballygunge assembly bypolls. The constituency represented by stalwart of Bengal politics, Subrata Mukherjee is currently seeing a transition following his untimely death. Former union minister, BJP leader and once a vitriolic critic of Mamata Banerjee, Babul Supriyo was the saffron party candidate in neighbouring Tollygunge assembly constituency even a few months earlier before suddenly changing colours to join the TMC. His nomination has come as a massive surprise even to die hard TMC loyalists as he never minced words against the state chief minister during his stint in the BJP. On the other hand, CPM nominee Saira Shah Halim is the daughter of celebrated army officer, Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah. She is the daughter-in-law of former assembly speaker Hashim Abdul Halim. CPM supporters claimed that they have got a shot in the arm and are actively campaigning for her victory. The BJP candidate Keya Ghosh is an energetic young leader honing her skills in electoral politics. Ballygunge is witnessing a three way battle for the April 12 polls. But the question uppermost in the mind of the Ballygunge voters is whether the winner will once again become a turncoat forcing another election on the people.