It's Mamata vs Nafisa in Kolkata South

The Indian National Congress has sprung a surprise in West Bengal having put up the former beauty queen and Miss India, Nafisa Ali against the formidable Trinamool supremo, Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata South parliamentary constituency for the ensuing elections.

But the move is seen in political circles more as a stunt which is lacking in substance.

Mamata, who leads the main opposition party in West Bengal, has reacted to the challenge with calm, knowing that in real terms it is no challenge for her. "It's a free country. Anyone can contest against me. I have full trust in my voters," she said when asked about her opponent.

But Nafisa Ali, the glamour queen of the early '80s is serious about the fight and is expected to launch her campaign soon. Talking to media after being nominated for the seat, she admitted being a great fan of her opponent, who she felt has done a lot for the people in West Bengal. "But I cannot support her joining the BJP," said Nafisa.

Nafisa has her roots in Kolkata. Apart from wearing the Miss India crown, she was also a former national swimming champion. She is a descendant of S. Wajed Ali, an enlightened writer of his time in undivided Bengal. A barrister from Cambridge, Wajed Ali was a contemporary of the Nobel Laureate writer from Bengal –Rabindranath Tagore.

Nasifa's father, Ahmed Ali, 82, lives in Kolkata and runs a photo studio in Central Kolkata. He too was jubilant about her daughter getting the nomination in the prestigious South Kolkata seat against Mamata Banerjee.

"In successive polls, I have voted for Mamata Banerjee," he said, "but this time it is different." "How can I ignore my beautiful daughter in her first political fight in life. All through her life Nafisa has been a winner and whatever she does, she does with commitment," he said.

However, Mamata's other adversary in the constituency belongs to the state's ruling Marxist party – Robin Deb. Deb one of the young and energetic Marxist leaders is trying his best to make a match out of the contest. He is blessed with a sizeable section of the Muslim voters in this constituency who constitute over 30 per cent of the electorate.

But if the past polls results are any indication, Mamata has little to worry. The constituency is a mixed bag of urban elite, middle class and a large number of slum dwellers. Banerjee looks after her constituency well.

But Nafisa Ali's maiden appearance into the political arena certainly adds a bit of colour into this fight even though the outcome is all but known.