First Phase Of Assembly Elections Begins In West Bengal

Kolkata: Voting for the first phase of the 2016 assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam began on Monday. While polling is taking place in 65 seats to decide the fate of 539 candidates in Assam, West Bengal is voting on 18 seats with 133 candidates in the fray in the first phase of polls.

The 18 poll-going constituencies includes nine in Purulia, three in Bankura and six in West Midnapore. Bengal witnessed brisk voting in the first four hours with over 45 per cent voters casting their votes till 11 am.

As many as 40,09,171 electors including 16 transgender voters will vote in the first stage which has 133 candidates in the fray. The staggered six-phase elections for 294 assembly seats are spread over seven polling dates and will continue till May 5. The other six polling dates are April 11, 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5. 

In Assam, the ruling Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)- Bodoland People's Front (BPF) alliance and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) are locked in a keen battle where the first phase of elections will be held in 65 of the 126 constituencies. In Assam, the BJP has partnered with regional parties the AGP and BPF. It has positioned union minister Sarbananda Sonowal as its candidate for chief minister.

Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress seeks a second term as chief minister in West Bengal. The Congress and Left have partnered in the state this time, while the BJP, so far a minor player, hopes to make major gains.