West Bengal Election Battle – Who Smiles

by Deepak Roy from Kolkata
April 13, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1374/west-bengal-election-battle-who-smiles

A new dimension being surfaced in this year's West Bengal assembly election. The Trinamul Congress supreme – Mamata Banerjee had full guess of having been next chief minister of the state without any fight, she had earlier declared that her party would sweep more than two-third majority in the 294 – seats legislative assembly, the ruling Left front will be washed away and loose status of opposition party. But recent trend in the political arena moulded for a tough fight between the Left front and Trinamul congress.

Mamata Banerjee was at her pleasure and happiness when the Indian National Congress high command officially accepted her seat – sharing formula on the basis 'take it or leave it. The Congress had initially demanded 98 seats from Trinamul, later lowered their demand and had sought 70 seats but she refused to offer more, even she has refused to consider the newly constituted Kolkata port which was earlier known as Kobithirtha assembly constituency and it was retained six terms by Congress's Ram Pyari Ram.

Several districts leaders of the Congress have openly expressed their disenchantment of the seat – sharing understanding with Trinamul congress. Mushidabad congress president and MP Adhir Choudhury remained belligerent after his outburst to defy even the Congress high command warned for drastic disciplinary action. 'I will not accept the Trinamul candidates in Murshidabad' he said. The Trinamul congress has announced candidates of four seats out of 22 seats in Murshidabad and dissidents of Congress on the blessings of Adhir ChoudhuryAdhir Choudhury led rally with the dissidents congress candidates. North Dinajpur's Raigunj MP Deepa Dashmunshi also expressed her displeasure on the seat – sharing.

Trinamul congress was also reported to have affected by disenchantment in its lower ranks, a larger section of Trinamul congress ranks and files who were with the party from the initial days of the forming but denied tickets. Several were very aspirants for party's nomination but they have found party several nominees were either of new entity or from outsider those who have even no any political legacy, simple as mushroom. Same has affected in Congress too, firstly their problem engulfed for running into the race with only 65 seats – several aspirant candidates as well unfamiliar faces.

This year's assembly election being apprehend for wide cross voting and dissented party workers might cast their votes favouring against. The ruling Left front also by now substantially consolidated their position among their bases, so there is possibility of a hang on parliament which will be cleared on 13 May, 2011.

Footnotes : Election slogans – '2011 Baamfront ebaro', 'Thanda thanda cool cool, muchhey jabey Trinamul', 'Jeney giyechhey janata, Mukhshamantri Mamata', 'Baamfront sorker aar nei dorkar'.

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