Kolkata, 02 August (H.S.) : Speculation over the political future of former West Bengal minister and ex-Shyampukur MLA Shashi Panja has intensified following her meeting with former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is now associated with the NCPI.

The meeting took place on Saturday at Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar’s fertility clinic, located about 800 metres from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence in south Kolkata. According to sources, the two leaders held discussions for nearly two hours.

When asked about the visit, Panja said she had gone to the clinic casually. However, given the recent political developments in West Bengal, the meeting has triggered speculation about her future political course.

Shashi Panja and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar share a professional background as medical doctors, although neither is currently practising medicine. Political observers believe their meeting assumes significance as Kakoli is among the 20 former TMC MPs who have joined the NCPI, now an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The speculation gained further momentum on Sunday after Kakoli’s son, Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, posted on social media claiming that Shashi Panja is set to leave the Trinamool Congress very soon. The post was later deleted, but it fuelled further political discussions.

Attempts to contact Shashi Panja for her response were unsuccessful, as she neither answered phone calls nor responded to messages.

Panja, a three-time MLA from Shyampukur and former Minister for Women and Child Development, lost the constituency in the recent Assembly elections to BJP candidate Purnima Chakraborty by 14,633 votes. Her daughter, Puja Panja, a former TMC councillor from Kolkata Municipal Corporation's Ward No. 8, was seen attending the Kalighat Trinamool gathering on July 21, leading many to believe that the family remained aligned with Mamata Banerjee.

However, Panja's meeting with Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has reignited speculation over whether another prominent former TMC leader could be preparing to switch political camps. No official confirmation has been made by Shashi Panja regarding any change in her political affiliation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh