Bypolls in 3 parliamentary seats, 1 assy seat in Bengal tomorrow

Kolkata, Sep 15 (UNI) With the Trinamool Congress and Congress striking an unofficial alliance, West Bengal witnesses bypolls in three Parliamentary and one Assembly constituencies tomorrow.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Debasish Sen said altogether 36 companies of central forces had been deployed for smooth conduct of polling in Malda, Purulia and Katwa Lok Sabha constituencies and Bongaon Assembly constituency.

With the Trinamool Congress deciding not to field candidate in Malda, Congress candidate Abu Hasnat Khan Chowdhury faces CPI (M) candidate Sailen Sarkar as his main opponent.

The seat fell vacant following the death of late Congress leader A.B.A.Ghani Khan Chowdhury, who held sway over the constituency for a long time.

In Katwa, where election has been necessitated following the death of CPI (M) MP Mahboob Zahedi, CPI(M) candidate Abu Ayash Mondal is pitted against his main rival Susanta Ghosh of the Trinamool Congress with the Congress abstaining from contest.

Left Front candidate Narahari Mahato of the Forward Bloc takes on Congress nominee Santiram Mahato in Purulia where Ms Banerjee has fielded a token candidate in Mr Dhirendra Chandra Mahato of the Janata Dal (U), a constituent of the Trinamool-led Paschimbanga Ganatantrik Front.

The election in Purulia is being held following the resignation of Forward Bloc MP Bir Singh Mahato after he was implicated in a criminal case.

In Bongaon Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the death of Mr Bhupen Seth of the Trinamool Congress, the party tries to retain the seat with support from Congress by fielding senior leader Saugata Ray against Mr Pankaj Ghosh of the CPI (M).

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