Mamta discontent with 8 phase polls in WB, BJP delighted

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday questioned the Election Commission of India's decision to conduct elections in eight phases in West Bengal and said her All India Trinamool Congress would emerge winners finally.

Addressing a media conference TMC chairperson said while many of the states going poll have a single phase polling like Tamil Nadu and Kerala why the ECI thrust eight phases polling in West Bengal, even many a districts in the state have even three phase elections for a total 23 days.

"They have divided districts in part 1 part 2. Since we are powerful in South 24 Parganas it is being done in three phases. They are teaching us BA part 1, part 2....," Ms Banerjee maintained.She alleged that the decision was taken to suit the convenience of the BJP.

"Has this been done with the advice of [PM Narendra] Modi and Amit Shah? Has this been

done to facilitate their campaigning? So that they can finish Assam and Tamil Nadu before

coming to Bengal? This won't help BJP. We will demolish them," the AITC supremo said adding that she was the daughter of Bengal and knew every nook and corner of the state.Ms Banerjee, who will lead the AITC in the hustings for the third five-year term, charged the

BJP with trying to divide the people on religion and caste."They are diving people on lines of Hindu-Muslim. The game is on. We play and win. They are dividing the entire country. But let me tell you, I know Bengal very well and finally we will win and you must reward me for this," she added.

Opposition in Bengal welcome eight-phase Assy election

Kolkata:The opposition parties in West Bengal welcomed the eight-phase elections in the state announced by the Election Commission on Friday with the BJP saying it was hopeful about the polls being free and fair.

Welcomed the Election Commission of India (ECI )’s decision to conduct polls in eight-phases, BJP national secretary Kailash Vijayvarghia said that it was imperative to conduct fair polls.

"Along with the announcement of elections, anti-social elements will also have to be controlled for peaceful elections in West Bengal. Also, fair officers should also be appointed in every district of the state so that there is no disturbance in the election,"he said in a tweet.

BJP's state vice-president Jaiprakash Majumdar said,"We are happy. We hope that the elections would be free and fair and the people of the state will be allowed to exercise their democratic right without any fear,"

The state Congress said that it was looking forward to an election in 10 to 12 phases. State Congress leader Manoj Chakraborty said the elections should have been held in at least 10-12 phases, alleging poor law and order situation in the state. CPI(M) maintained that the number of phases does not matter if the elections are held violence-free.

Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the West Bengal election will be held in eight phases.

The first phase will be held on March 27 and the final phase will be conducted on April 29. Polling to the 294-member Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases on March 27,

April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29.

The first phase of the West Bengal election will see 30 Assembly seats going to polls, in the second phase 30 constituencies, in the third 31 segments, in the fourth phase 44,'in the fifth phase 45 seats, in the sixth phase 43 constituencies will go to polls, in seventh phase 35 constituencies, and the final round will see political parties fighting it out for 35 Assembly constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that the poll panel will appoint two special

observers for West Bengal and a third can also be sent, if required.The poll panel will announce the West Bengal Assembly Election results on May 2.(UNI)