Joint Yechury-Sharad rally today

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav will address a joint rally in Howrah Central constituency in support of JD(U) candidate Amitava Dutta on Wednesday evening. “This will be another proof of the consolidation of anti-Trinamul Congress forces in the state,” Mr Dutta said.

The JD(U) and the RJD are smaller partners in the Left secular democratic coalition in which the Congress is the second major constituent. The Left Front has allotted two seats — Howrah Central and Islampur — to the JD(U) and one seat of Jorasanko to the RJD.

Mr Dutta is pitted against Trinamul Congress heavyweight candidate and outgoing agriculture marketing minister Arup Roy. Ironically, 10 years ago, Mr Dutta had contested as the Trinamul Congress-supported candidate from Howrah against the Left Front’s K.K. Roy.

The Yechury-Yadav joint rally will be held on G.T. Road in Shibpur near Aloka Cinema at around 6 pm. Mr Yechury’s presence is likely to mobilise the support of the CPI(M) and other Left Front partners for Mr Dutta. Mr Yadav’s speech will have an impact on the sizeable Hindi-speaking voters of the constituency.

“We have also requested Bihar chief minister and newly-elected party president Nitish Kumar to address a meeting in Central Howrah,” Mr Dutta said.

He refused to accept that Mr Roy was a formidable opponent who posed a strong challenge. “He is a political non-entity,” he said.