Trianmool wrests another Left bastion

CALCUTTA, AUG 14: The Trinamool Congress made another dent in the Left bastion of West Bengal today when it gained control of the municipa...

CALCUTTA, AUG 14: The Trinamool Congress made another dent in the Left bastion of West Bengal today when it gained control of the municipality in Uttarpara, an industrial belt in Hooghly district.

Since 1981, the Uttarpara municipality has been controlled by the ruling CPI(M). Seven journalists were injured during polling yesterday, reportedly at the behest of the ruling party. Three CPI(M) supporters were arrested on charges of involvement in the attack.

Of the 24 wards in Uttarpara municipality, the Trinamool wrested 17 while the Left Front had to content with just five. The Congress managed two.“This is a triumph of the people, of democracy,” a jubilant Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee told The Indian Express. “People of this state want change. That is why, they are voting against the Marxists,” she added.

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Mamata also said the situation in the state was worsening by the day and very soon the Centre would have no option but impose President’s Rule in the state. “The BJP is a different party, and so are other allies of the NDA. But as far as we are concerned, we want nothing but President’s Rule in the state,” she said.

Mamata visited the Press Club today to express solidarity with journalists. and tied rakhi’s to the journalists present. “Our fight is against terror. And we are with the journalists in this regard,” she said.