Mamata attributes Left's victory to money and muscle power

Kolkata, May 14 (UNI) Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today alleged that the Left Front had retained power in West Bengal with the help of money and muscle power.

''Money power, muscle power and media power made possible their victory,'' she told reporters after a meeting which was held to analyse the reasons for her party's debacle.

This was Ms Banerjee's first reaction after the landslide victory of the Left Front in the Assembly elections, held amid an unprecedented security and alert of the Election Commission.

All the candidates of the party, those who won as well those who were vanquished, attended the meeting.

The meeting also discussed possible names of the Legislature Party leader in the Assembly.

The Trinamool Congress faces the threat of being denied recognition of the main opposition after securing one short of the required number of seats.

A party having at least one-tenth of the total assembly seats is recognised as the main opposition party and its CLP leader can be accorded the status of a cabinet minister.

While the Trinamool Congress bagged only 29 seats in the 294-member Assembly, it still stands a chance to increase the tally by one as polling in Bhatpara constituency, is yet to be held. The polling in Bhatpara, which was countermanded following the death of a candidate, will be held on May 16.

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