Artists, poets come out in Trinamool nominee's support

Kolkata, March 17 (IANS) Arguing Bengal's art and culture should get a voice in parliament, a section of film and theatre personalities, singers and poets including a few Left sympathisers Monday extended support to Trinamool Congress nominee for Balurghat Lok Sabha seat Arpita Ghosh.

A self-confessed "communist", Bengali film actor Arindam Sil extended support to Ghosh - a known theatre personality - saying he could not see any alternative to the Trinamool which can work for the common man.

"As a communist, I was always concerned about the welfare of the society, but the current scenario is such that I cannot see any other alternative. But I want to assert that this doesn't make me a Trinamool supporter," said Sil.

Known for his Left allegiance, famed poet and writer Subodh Sarkar also pledged his support for Ghosh.

"One doesn't change his political ideology or belief overnight. It's a gradual process. I extend my support hoping she, will raise the concerns which theatre and the field of art and culture is facing now," said Sarkar, who was recently honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Both Sil and Sarkar had steadfastly defended the erstwhile Left Front government in television debates and other fora even when it had drawn flak from the civil society on a host of issues including the anti-land acquisition movements in Singur and Nandigram.

Thespian Bibhas Chakraborty hoped theatre will get a voice in parliament in Ghosh.

"Theatre has been the life blood of culture in Bengal but unfortunately, there is no one to represent it in parliament and talk about the problems it has been facing. I hope Ghosh would raise the issues and help theatre to grow," he said.

The others present on the occasion included leading poet Joy Goswami, painter Suvaprassana, artist and Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Jogen Chowdhury, and Bengali actor Manoj Mitra among others.

West Bengal Education Minister and acclaimed dramatist Bratya Basu said a host of artist from various fields would be campaigning for Ghosh in her constituency Balurghat in South Dinajpur district.