Trinamool Congress has decided to field actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha as their candidate for bye-election in Asansol Lok Sabha seat and former union minister Babul Supriyo as their candidate for the by-election in Ballygunge assembly seat.TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday took to Twitter to announce the candidature of both the leaders. "Happy to announce on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress that Sri Shatrughan Sinha, former Union Minister and famed actor, will be our candidate in Loksabha by-election from Asansol," the West Bengal CM wrote.
"Sri Babul Supriyo, former union minister and noted singer, will be our candidate in Vidhansabha by- election from Ballygunge. Jai Hind, Jai Bangla, Jai Ma- Mati- Manush!" she added. The announcement came as the Asansol seat fell vacant after sitting MP Babul Supriyo resigned from the Lok Sabha earlier in October last year following differences with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre.The singer-turned politician later joined the TMC. Meanwhile, West Bengal’s Ballygunge assembly seat fell vacant after sitting MLA and state minister Subrata Mukherjee breathed his last in November last year following a brief illness.On Saturday, the Election Commission announced that bypolls will be held for four assembly seats, including Asansol and Ballygunje, will be held on April 12.