Once pro-Left, intellectuals pledge support to TMC candidate

Once close to Left Front, poet Subodh Sarkar and theatre activist Manoj Mitra today came out in support of Trinamool Congress candidate from Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency Arpita Ghosh, a theatre personality.
"We want Arpita to win so that she in turn can work for the development of our industry," Mitra said at a programme to extend support to Ghosh.
Ghosh, a known face of Trinamool Congress's intellectual brigade during the Nandigram and Singur anti-land acquisition movements, was given ticket to fight the Lok Sabha polls from Balurghat.
"I have known Arpita personally for several years. I also know Bratya (West Bengal's Education Minister Bratya Basu) as a friend and colleague from college. So, when they asked me to come out in Arpita's support, I had to come to support them," Sarkar said.

"Many know me for my political inclinations. But today I want to say that it is only Trinamool that can work for the people. I am a Communist but no longer belong to CPI(M). I will support Arpita," said actor Arindam Sil.
Also present at the programme were poet Joy Goswami and painter Jogen Chowdhury.
Bratya Basu, another theatre activist and TV actor, was also present at the programme.
The support of Sarkar and Mitra to Trinamool candidate comes at a time when the Left's intellectual support base was dwindling.