Bhatpara seat gives Trinamool recognition as main opposition

Barrackpore, May 19 (UNI) All India Trinam00l Congress candidate and sitting MLA Arjun Singh retained the Bhatpara seat of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly defeating his nearest CPI(M) contender Harimohan Nath by 28676 votes.

Polling in the lone Assembly constituency was held on May 16 after being deferred due to death of the BSP candidate Sefali Sarkar, from April 27 when elections in other 27 constituencies North 24 parganas were held.

The election had special significance for the AITC, which needed a seat to get recognition as the main opposition party in the Assembly. The AITC now has 30 seats out of 294.

Having been ensured of his re-election AITC MLA Arjun Singh said ''the people of Bhatpara blessed me recognising my service to them for last 5 years. It's a happy occasion and win at a crucial moment that helped the party to get its proper recognition in the state Assembly.'' ''I want to dedicate the victory to the people of Bhatpara as I was chosen as there representatives amongst 11 people who remained in the fray,'' a jubiliant Arjun Singh said.

While Arjun Singh bagged 50,368 votes, Harimohan Nath got 21,692 and Reba Raha of Congress claimed 5,391 votes.

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