Cong nominates Panja’s daughter for June 8 polls

Mandal, who had unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly poll in West Bengal on a Trinamool Congress ticket, formally joined Congress in the presence of WBPCC president Pranab Mukherjee.

Mukherjee said he had discussed the issue of Mandal joining Congress with party chief Sonia Gandhi. Her name was recommended to the party high command for approval as the candidate from Vidyasagar constituency, he said. Mandal said she had a ‘‘bitter experience’’ as the Trinamool Congress candidate. ‘‘In fact, the Trinamool leadership let me down in the last election. That is why I have decided to join Congress,’’ she said. Evading a straight reply whether Panja would also re-join Congress, she said, ‘‘I consulted my father before joining Congress and sought his blessings. Whether he will re-join Congress is his decision.’’

Panja who recently floated a separate platform — ‘‘muktamancha’’ — has extended support to his daughter. When contacted, Panja said he had not taken any decision on going back to Congress.