Kabir Suman continues tirade against party

KOLKATA: Less than a fortnight remains for what promises to be one of the most crucial tests for Trinamool Congress, but there has been no let-up on the part of singer and party MP Kabir Suman. On Sunday, the dissident MP appeared on a television talk show and continued his tirade against his party. Trinamool chief and railway minister Mamata Banerjee may have chosen to steer away from any further controversy at the moment, but the first-time MP's behaviour has got several leaders gnashing their teeth.
"While other leaders are busy campaigning for Trinamool candidates, he sits before a television camera, trashing the party.If he is as disciplined as he claims to be, why can't he remain quiet for the time being? While Trinamool supporters will not be swayed by his comments, there are some voters who may be fence-sitters and be swayed by his comments. Could he have behaved in this manner in any other party in the country?" said a senior Trinamool leader.
The leaders have cause for concern. Most of them know that Trinamool's victory — if it does come — will not depend on diehard Mamata fans, but the common populace, which seems to be disgusted with how CPM has been running things. With Suman making comments like "a part of the Trinamool is as corrupt as CPM" in public, there is a possibility of doubts creeping into the mind of the largely 'neutral' voter.
"It is true that he has turned into a big problem for us. He knows very well that the party won't take any action against him at the moment. This will only turn him into a martyr. There were some amongst us who had opposed his nomination as an MP candidate. We had then been told that his reputation will stand us in good stead. Suman seems to believe that it was his reputation and 'clean image' that won him the elections. The truth is that people would have voted for any candidate put up by Trinamool," said another leader.
Many candidates who were out campaigning on Sunday evening found voters glued on to their television sets, taking in every word that Suman had to say. A few of them faced a few uncomfortable questions about the party's policies on issues ranging from Maoists to development.
"There is a section among the intelligentsia which insisted that no action should be taken against Suman at the moment. At least he could have been told to desist from making such comments in public before the polls," the leader said.