Kolkata: Bhangar strongman Arabul Islam, whose ties with Trinamool have become increasingly estranged, visited Furfura Sharif on Monday—home to Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Nawsad Siddiqui—and openly aired his dissatisfaction with the party.Arabul said he was repeatedly expelled from Trinamool and jailed “on the provocation of a particular individual.” Though he did not name anyone, observers said he was referring to Canning West MLA Shaukat Molla.“If I was expelled from the party, why was I sent to jail again?” Arabul asked.Arabul’s ties with Trinamool have been turbulent. Around three years ago, he was arrested for inciting violence during panchayat polls. Upon securing bail, he returned to a grand reception in Bhangar, but his relationship with Trinamool seniors did not improve.On Monday, Arabul said he was sidelined within Trinamool despite being active in many movements taken up by the party.ISF’s Siddiqui confirmed Arabul had met him but said there was no final decision on whether he would join ISF.Political observers said Arabul may join forces with Siddiqui in the upcoming polls. Trinamool leadership has refrained from giving much importance to speculation surrounding Arabul’s possible defection.
