CPI-M gets a jolt ahead of Lok Sabha polls

Malda: CPI-M lost its hold over Old Malda municipality to Trinammol Congress (TMC) Wednesday ahead of parliamentary polls.

Chairman of the municipality Biswanath Sukul was defeated 10:7 in a no-confidence in which three councillors of his party CPI-M and one of Left Front partner, RSP voted against him. Sukul did not vote as there was no tie. Old Malda municipality has total 18 seats. Ten belonged to CPI-M, two to RSP and six to Congress. The six Congress councillors had, however, switched over to TMC late last year and voted in favour of the no-confidence today. The six TMC members and one RSP member had submitted a letter of no confidence to the sub-divisional officer and had requisitioned today`s meeting. The next chairman of the municipality would be chosen at a later date, official sources said.