Congress may go it alone in Bengal panchayat polls

Kolkata, April 7 (IANS) West Bengal Congress president Pardip Bhattacharjee Saturday indicated that his party was ready to go it alone in the panchayat polls in the state slated to be held next year.

"We want to raise awareness among the masses about the work of the government. And with the help of this awareness, we need to strengthen our organisational base in order to prove that the Congress is a powerful party in Bengal," said Bhattacharjee while addressing a media conference here.

Panchayat polls are scheduled to be held early next year, though the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) might advance the elections. Senior Trinamool Congress leaders have hinted that panchayat polls may be held in December 2012.

Bhattacharjee said it has been decided that the party will accept the decision of the local leaders and the state level leadership will not thrust any decision on the local level polls.

"We don't have any problem with the timing of the panchayat polls. We have district presidents and local leaders in all districts. We will have to decide on the policy after discussions. If the local and rural leaders decide to fight alone, then they can go alone. If they think they can't go alone, then they can form an alliance."

Congress MP and Murshidabad strongman Adhir Choudhury said the party will fight the panchayat polls all alone in the district.

"We will fight panchayat polls alone in Murshidabad. We have to increase our visibility in the state."