The Mamata Banerjee government is likely to find some key positions for heavyweight ministers who became casualties in the poll fray. According to a source, the chief minister is weighing her options to position at least five former MLAs – Manish Gupta, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Upen Biswas, Shankar Chakraborty and Harka Bahadur Chetri.
They could be anointed head of state-run corporations, or could be put in specially created advisory posts in the departments they had headed before. Gupta had the power portfolio; Biswas backward classes; Chandrima law and health and Chakraborty PWD.
Chettri, who was backed by Trinamool in his fight against his former party GJM in Kalimpong, lost by a margin of 11,000 but is also likely to get a key post. “The chief minister doesn’t want to break the continuity. These former ministers have gained experience in running key portfolios and the chief minister wants to put that to use,” a senior leader explained. According to him, the chief minister believes that Gupta, Chandrima and Biswas have done commendable work and their experience is irreplaceable.
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| Harka Bahadur Chettri likely to become a Hill Minister |
Harka, who has already met the CM after the results, has lent weight to Trinamool efforts to unshackle the GJM stranglehold in the Hills. The party has made some credible inroads in Kalimpong, Kurseong and even in Darjeeling.
Via: TNN
