Bengal: Districts Divided; 70% Polling After All Other State Elections
The eight-phased election in West Bengal immediately came under criticism by the ruling Trinamool Congress dispensation in the state which alleged that the multiple phases were instituted to make “gains” for “certain people”.
“Somewhere a question arises. Bihar has 240 seats. It had elections in 3 phases. Assam will have it in three phases. Tamil Nadu has 234 seats, one day election. Kerala, one day election. Bengal has 294 seats, why are elections here in eight phases? To make gains for whom?”, asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The first two phases of the elections, to be held on 27 March and 1 April respectively, start the poll battle in the Jangalmahal area, in the districts of Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, East, Midnapore and West Midnapore. The BJP won big in these districts in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Of the 7 Parliamentary constituencies in these districts, the BJP won five.
Of the 30…