TMC leads in Kolkata, close race in Bengal

CNN-IBN

West Bengal, 02 June 2010: Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has taken a big lead in the Kolkata municipal elections leading in 71 wards out of the 141. The left Front is far behind leading in only 41 wards while the Congress is leading in three seats while other smaller parties are ahead in two.

But the overall picture is not so rosy for the TMC. The party is leading in just
12 municipalities while the Left Front is ahead in 14 with the Congress leading in six.

A total of 81 civic bodies have gone to elections across the state with the Left Front government controlling 54 civic bodies. Counting of votes started on Wednesday morning.

Trinamool Congress is fighting without the Congress’ support unlike the 2009 General Elections when the alliance swept the state.

The Trinamool Congress, which won that stunning victory in the 2009 General Elections in the state, is looking to maintain its winning streak. Mamata has claimed that if the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) loses the civic elections, the state will witness Assembly elections in the next three months.

For the Left Front and its main constituent in the state, Communist Party of India-Marxist, it’s a battle for survival after they lost ground in the 2009 General Elections.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said that Left Front was prepared and the civic election results would be in its favour.

"The results will indicate the turnaround in Bengal in a big way," said Yechury.

The civic elections have been marred by violent clashed between the Trinamool and Left Front supporters.