Left young Turks ready for polls

Metro met three Left leaders who want to bring in a change.

Amit Jana

Age: 40

Area: CPM candidate from Ward 101

Main rival: Trinamul's Bappaditya Dasgupta

Background: A practising doctor who was involved in the Left student movement. His wife, too, is a doctor.

He doesn't come from a political family but finds appeal in Left slogans and ideals. "These days, it is all the more necessary to propagate Left ideals and principles. People are fed up with the ruling party,'' he said.

Political connection: A first-timer in electoral politics, Jana takes part in the party's local and zonal committee work.

Poll pitch: Overall development of the ward with focus on street lighting and roads.

Tough campaign: Ten hours of daily campaigning.

Soma Dey

Age: 21

Area: CPM candidate from Ward 88

Main rival: Trinamul's Mala Roy

Background: The MCom student doesn't have any political background. What drew the attention of the CPM leadership towards Soma was her participation in several street plays on social issues, particularly atrocities on women in Bengal.

Political connection: Was chosen by the CPM local committee and she happens to be the youngest Left candidate. Poll pitch: Slum development and conservancy work.

Tough Campaign: Taking part in around four to five padayatras every day and extensive door to door campaigns.

Susmita Das

Age: 24

Area: CPM candidate from Ward 86

Main rival: Trinamul's Suma Naskar

Background: She is new to electoral politics and is engaged in a part-time job. She will take the BCom final exams from May 8.

Political connection: Association initially with the SFI and later with the DYFI pitched her into the limelight and fetched her a poll ticket.

Poll pitch: A corruption-free Calcutta Municipal Corporation and justice to depositors cheated by the Saradha group.

Tough campaign: Daily toil of 11 to 12 hours.