Kolkata: West Bengal ruled by CPI (Marxist)-led Left Front, elected by ballot and guided by 2 CMs for the last 34 years (24 under Jyothi Basu), is facing elections again today with about 6 crores of voters.
The Phase 1st polls end at 5pm. It is one of the toughest challenges before democracy, and the Congress has failed to provide an answer in 3 to 4 decades, as in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to some extent. The voting was already 61% till 3 Pm in the afternoon and may rise significantly without attacks from Naxalites and Maoists.
In Malda district there was a vote boycott in 6 polling booths, and 2 in South Dinajpur district, owing to state neglect of growth of the areas concerned.
There was a great enthusiasm among common people who appeared in their best attire as on a festival day to exercise their franchise. The fate of 11 ministries is decided today. CPI (M) faces Trinmool Party’s determined fight for success this year.
Central paramilitary forces are deployed in sensitive and critical poll booths (as many as 1800).
The contesting parties in Phase 1st are CPI (M), CPI, Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, National Congress Party, BJP, Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, GNL Front and AB Gorkha League and obviously, the Independents. There are reservations for SC/ST.
West Bengal has 294 seats, but elections take place in 6 phases, upto May10. Results will be out on May 13.
The voting was 70% at 5pm.