THE third phase of the parliamentary polls in West Bengal due on May 7 has an interesting aspect of it: the CPM is now forced to ally with the Congress that was once its bête noir.
With no MP from the state in the 2019 elections, the CPM is now trying to ride piggyback on Congress to open its account. The four constituencies of Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad are considered the Congress bastion.
Another aspect of the third phase is the virtual split in the INDIA bloc. Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, who participated in a few meetings of the bloc and claimed to have given the name to the alliance, has fielded decided candidates from all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State. She blamed the Congress for not being able to reach an electoral understanding.
Out of the four seats, the BJP won Malda Uttar, Congress wrested Malda Dakshin and Trinamool had won Jangipur and Murshidabad in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The BJP has launched a mega campaign not only in Malda but also in Murshidabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have campaigned in Malda while BJP chief J.P. Nadda has held rallies in Murshidabad. Ms. Banerjee and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are campaigning extensively in the region.
Maladies of Malda South
Trinamool candidate Shahnawaz Ali Raihan is pitted against BJP's Sreerupa Mitra. Born in Malda, the Trinamool candidate has a grip over local issues, including the river erosion and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Raihan says CAA is not only anti-Muslim, it is also anti-Bengali. "The BJP experiment in Assam proves it. There is a deliberate attempt to mock the Bengali identity and food habits," says Raihan who is associated with anti-CAA protests over the years. The Union Home Ministry on March 11 published the rules relating to the Act and the Trinamool leadership has been criticising it ever since.
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de The Morning Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de The Morning Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Gujarat cops nab 41S men from Lanka with plans to attack India
FOUR alleged Islamic State-affiliated terrorists from Sri Lanka, who had come to India to carry out terror attacks, were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) at the Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Monday, days before the city is to host two key IPL matches.
Three Chautalas in race to win Hisar
HIGH drama is unfolding in Haryana’s Hisar Lok Sabha constituency, where three members of the influential Chautala family are locked in a multi-cornered fight. Two are bahus (daughters-in-law) while the third is a chacha-sasur (uncle-in-law).
60% turnout in 5th phase of polls
Baramulla polling at 59%, an all-time record
Shah targets Oppn over Art 370, Ayodhya temple consecration
PAKISTAN Occupied Kashmir (POK) belongs to India and the country would reclaim it, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Sunday at poll rallies in Prayagraj and Jaunpur, both set for polls in the sixth phase on May 25.
Rahul-Akhilesh rally disrupted with stampede-like situation
Cong, SP workers rush to the stage breaking barricades; addressing another rally in Prayagraj, both leaders raise save Constitution, save democracy’ pitch
MCD organises Run for Democracy’ marathon to boost voter awareness
IN an effort to promote voter awareness and increase electoral participation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) successfully organized a 5 km marathon, \"Run for Democracy,\".
Sankalp Patra initiative: 16L parents pledge to cast vote
THE Sankalp Patra initiative, aimed at boosting electoral par ticipation, has achieved remarkable success across government schools, including Municipal Corporation of Delhi schools and New Delhi Municipal Council schools.
Vote to counter jail for leaders: AAP
City leaders take out cycle rally in East Delhi; In South Delhi, Kejriwal says BJP is rattled
TN to procure 4.5L vaccine doses for massive anti-rabies immunisation drive
IN light of the increasing reports of dog bites and potential rise in rabies infection, the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), in a first, has decided to launch a mass immunisation campaign across the state by procuring 4.5 lakh doses of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV).
Srikakulam students stranded in Kyrgyzstan, measures taken for safety
THE family members of MBBS students, who are stranded in Kyrgyzstan, have heaved a sigh of relief after the Indian Embassy, Kyrgyzstan police, university authorities, and Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) took necessary measures to ensure the safety of Indian students following the outbreak of mob violence against foreigners.