Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  West Bengal polls to begin on Monday with cluster of 18 seats
BackBack

West Bengal polls to begin on Monday with cluster of 18 seats

Congress, which was with TMC in the last 2011 assembly polls which ended the 34-year-long rule of the Left, has forged alliance with the Left in Bengal

Women workers of the TMC take part in an election campaign wearing sarees with the party symbol and masks of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Photo: APPremium
Women workers of the TMC take part in an election campaign wearing sarees with the party symbol and masks of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Photo: AP

Kolkata: Eighteen seats in Maoist-affected areas in West Bengal will go to Assembly polls on Monday in the first of the six-phase elections.

133 candidates will try their luck from the constituencies falling under the districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.

Out of these, 13 have been roughly classified as left wing extremism-affected areas by the Election Commission where voting will end early by 4 pm due to security reasons.

In the remaining five constituencies of Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur, Para and Raghunathpur voting will go on for two hours extra till 6 pm.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has been highlighting how peace has returned in the Maoist-hotbed Junglemahal area. It finds a mention even in the ‘Trinamool anthem’ song in Bengali which is being played across TV channels, radio stations and even through social media.

The last 2011 assembly polls, which ended the 34-year-long rule of the Left, had Trinamool and Congress on the same side.

The Congress, which broke its alliance later on, has forged alliance with the Left. The Left-Congress alliance has been a subject of mockery for both the BJP and the Trinamool.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called this alliance an “unholy" one while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended an election rally in Kharagpur town, mocked at it saying “dosti (friendship) in Bengal and kushti (wrestling) in Kerala".

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 03 Apr 2016, 05:56 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App