Women, minority community members and new faces dominated the Left Front's list for the coming Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections. It, however, did not contain the name of the current Mayor.
The list was announced by the West Bengal Left Front Committee leadership here on Saturday.
As per the list, 96 seats have been given to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), 14 to the Communist Party of India, 11 to the Forward Bloc, 10 to the Revolutionary Socialist Party and the rest to other Left Front partners.
Slams Opposition
Apprehending violence during the elections, which are scheduled for May 30, chairman of State Left Front Committee Biman Bose said: “The Opposition has waged a war against democracy by snatching people's personal freedom and carrying out malicious campaigns against us. It is out to mislead people. We know that the elections may be blood-smeared but we are ready to fight against the evil power for the sake of the people.”
There had been a debate in the political circles whether Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a lawyer by profession, will figure on the list, after he publicly stated his intent against contesting.
“The Left Front Committee has decided to give Mr. Bhattacharya the responsibility of a crucial legal post and, therefore, his name is not on the list,” Mr. Bose said at a press conference.
Mr. Bose said Mr. Bhattacharya was asked to serve for one term when he was given ticket in 2005 and he had done so successfully.
“The State Left Front leadership is happy with Mr. Bhattacharya's performance during his tenure as Mayor. The revenue generation of KMC leaped to Rs. 1,900 crore under him, compared to Rs. 497 crore till 2005. He, however, will participate in the campaign,” Mr. Bose said.
