Assembly Poll 2016 - Seven Candidates To Contest With Less Than Rs 1,000

Kolkata: Seven candidates in the first phase of West Bengal Assembly polls are contesting with less than Rs 1,000, with one of them having zero net worth.

Pabitra Bauri, fighting from Para (SC) constituency in Purulia district on a ticket by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has no money, neither in cash nor in bank account, according to the affidavit he submitted before the Election Commission. He said: “I am unemployed and involved in social work. I don't have any money.” He also claimed that he was never active in politics till recently.

Four others from Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) and two from BSP have net worth less than a thousand rupees, according to their affidavits. SUCI(C) candidate Tanushree Dalai who is fighting from West Midnapore's Chandrakona (SC) constituency has shown cash in hand of Rs 500 only and claims to possess no other financial assets at all. The 29-year-old who completed his MA in 2009 from Kharagpur College lives in Khudmarai village with her parents. A newcomer to politics, she has described her profession as social worker.

Lalmohan Malla, fighting on a BSP ticket from Bankura, has not declared any cash in hand and has a savings bank account with a meager balance of Rs 500. Rajib Mudi fighting from West Midnapore's Maoist-affected Binpur area is the richest amongst them having Rs 975 in his pocket. Several others are also facing similar circumstances.

A total of 49 out of 294 constituencies will go to the polls in two rounds in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2016. Voting for 18 seats will be held on April 4, and for 31 on April 11.