Allegations of 'hooliganism' in Kolkata labour cooperative election as TMC dominates 25 unopposed seats

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation's Labour Cooperative election, held on Friday, has drawn attention due to claims of interference in the nomination process. The election, which involves 38 seats, saw 25 seats being won unopposed by candidates affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-backed Kolkata Municipal Labour Congress. The remaining 13 seats are being contested, with candidates running as independents, supported by Left and Congress unions.

Opposition parties, including the Left Front and Congress, allege that they were prevented from filing nominations and fielding candidates in multiple seats. They accuse TMC of using intimidation tactics, exerting undue influence on potential candidates, and making it difficult for the opposition to participate in the election. As a result, opposition parties claim they could only contest in 13 of the 38 seats, with 25 seats remaining uncontested.

TMC, however, has strongly denied these allegations, stating that the opposition parties failed to find suitable candidates for the election. TMC leaders assert that the opposition’s claims of pressure are unfounded and that no attempts were made to influence the nomination process. The party maintains that the absence of candidates from the opposition is a result of internal issues within those parties, not due to any external interference.

This election is part of a five-year cycle and holds significant importance within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. In the previous election held five years ago, the TMC-affiliated Kolkata Municipal Labour Congress secured all 38 seats unopposed. The current election has seen an increase in uncontested seats, with TMC now holding 25 of the 38 available seats. The outcome of the 13 contested seats is expected to have a significant impact on the local political dynamics within the municipality.