6 assembly by-elections in Bengal likely before Pujas
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, a green wave swept across Bengal, ensuring Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 29 seats, more than double the BJP’s. The winning trend continued during the assembly by-elections as well, with the party scoring four out of four.
The by-elections to six more assembly seats are due, those vacated due to the representing MLAs being elected as MPs. The six are Naihati, Taldangra, Medinipur, Haroa, Madarihat and Sitai.
Informed sources are saying that the elections in these six constituencies may take place in September, before the Durga Puja festivities. The announcement for the elections by the Election Commission would likely be made in the second week of August.
Of the six, five are under the control of the TMC while one, Madarihat in Alipurduar district, is under the control of the BJP.
Political analysts believe that the BJP’s position in Madarihat is not very strong. However, there is also a counterargument: that the BJP won in this constituency, which is part of Alipurduar parliamentary constituency, which it won in the last general election. The Trinamool Congress is expected to aggressively contest this seat.
