Defiant Trinamool Fields Mahua Moitra Again From Krishnanagar

Mahua Moitra was among the 42 candidates Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress unilaterally announced today, underscoring its rift from the Opposition bloc INDIA.

Mahua Moitra, expelled from the Lok Sabha three months ago, has been fielded again by Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in what is seen as a message of defiance to the BJP. Trinamool has fielded her from Bengal's Krishnanagar -- the very same seat she represented -- thumbing nose at critics who had predicted an end to her political career after the alleged cash-for-questions issue.

Ms Moitra was among the 42 candidates the party unilaterally announced today, underscoring its rift from the Opposition bloc INDIA.

The Trinamool, which was initially lukewarm about supporting Mahua Moitra over the alleged cash-for-questions issue, had backed her to the hilt after the matter snowballed and she was expelled from the Lok Sabha following a hearing by an Ethics committee.