TMC will be ready with CM face before Goa polls: Mahua Moitra

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Goa in charge and member of Parliament Mahua Moitra on Wednesday said the party will be ready with a Chief Minister's candidate before going to the Goa elections 2022.

"By the time the elections come around, we will have a chief ministerial face. We will go to the polls, saying this is our Chief Minister," Moitra said at the induction ceremony of former Congress leader Ethel Lobo into TMC in Panaji.

The TMC MP did not rule out the party fielding a woman as its chief ministerial candidate in Goa, adding that despite its forward-looking aura, Goa is still stuck in patriarchal norms where women are not to be found in decision-making positions, especially in the legislature.

On being asked whether TMC will field a woman candidate as CM face in the upcoming elections, Moitra said, "Of course, if we find the right candidate."

She also stressed that gender shouldn't be a factor in taking such a decision.

"The Trinamool does not think of a CM as a woman or a man. This is something I think even the media and you should question. When you look at a man, do you say 'excuse me, Sir, how do you feel as a man Chief Minister'. Then why are you asking a woman? People ask me, 'how are you a woman politician'. I say 'I am a politician'. Do you ask a man, 'are you a man politician'," Moitra said.