Mamata welcomes 6-phase poll schedule for Bengal

Kolkata, Mar 1: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today welcomed the Election Commission's announcement of a six-phase Assembly poll in West Bengal and said the party's candidate list was ready.

"I welcome the Election Commission's decision to hold Assembly polls in the state in six phases which was understandably taken considering several factors including law and order, state-sponsored terrorism and stockpiling of arms that are yet to be recovered by the state government," Banerjee told reporters here.

Asked if she would become the next chief minister of West Bengal ending the 35-year-old Left Front rule after the elections, Banerjee said, "People will decide. We will fight the election in alliance with the Congress."

To a volley of questions for a categorical answer about her party's alliance or seat adjustment with the Congress, Banerjee said, "Don't worry. We are already having an alliance with the Congress. We will talk to them (Congress). First Congress will have to decide about the number of seats for contesting. However, our list of candidates is ready."

Asked about ticket aspirants, Banerjee said that the party would nominate those people who are loyal to the party and will work for the people with a sense of commitment and dedication. Banerjee also ruled out lobbying for party tickets however high the expectation of a poll aspirant be.

Expressing hope that polling in Bengal would be peaceful, the railway minister said, "The election will be crucial when law and order is not okay and state-sponsored terrorism in on the rise."

To a question about the lack of seat adjustment in the last civic polls with the Congress, the Trinamool chief observed that civic polls and Assembly polls were not the same.

Calling for ushering in a change in the government, Banerjee promised that her party was committed to rebuilding West Bengal.

"Bengal will regain her lost seat in the comity of states and people will not give any further chance to the Left Front to regain power," she said asserting that her party, if elected to power, "will have to stop all atrocities and usher in a change and not indulge in any act of revenge".

PTI