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Differences to the fore in Bengal Congress

Kolkata: The chaos that prevailed at a function organised here on Tuesday suggested factionalism within the State leadership of the Congress in West Bengal. The function was got up to observe the 54th Foundation Day of the State Chhatra Parishad — the student wing of the party.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi had to cut short his speech and left the podium visibly annoyed when supporters of Somen Mitra, a senior leader of the party, rushed onto the stage to garland him. Mr. Dasmunsi left abruptly after a brief wait for the excitement to subside.

The two leaders are known to have their differences on certain issues concerning the functioning of the party in the State. Mr. Mitra is considered a close associate of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who could not turn up at the event owing to other commitments in New Delhi.

Mr. Mukherjee is also the president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.

Following Mr. Dasmunsi out of the function was Subrata Mukherjee, another senior party leader, who does not see eye to eye with Mr. Mitra on several issues.

Both Mr. Dasmunsi and Mr. Mitra, however, later denied that the incident reflected any differences within the party’s State leadership, attributing the chaos on the stage to over-enthusiasm among the Chhatra Parishad supporters.

Manas Bhunia, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, concurred, adding that such display of emotion had occurred in the past too.

Election to the post of president of the Pradesh Congress Committee, where relations between the factions could come to a head, is expected to be held soon, according to Mr. Dasmunsi.

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