Kolkatta: The first phase of polling in Bengal and Assam has begun today. In Bengal, where elections will be held in eight phases, the first phase will be held in 30 constituencies. In Assam, where polling will be held in three phases, 47 constituencies will go to the polls in the first phase.
In Bengal, there is a strong triangular contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress, the Left Alliance, and the BJP. 73,80,942 voters will exercise their right to vote in the first phase.
The Left has high hopes for victory in the first phase when the tribal areas will be judged. While the Left alliance candidates are contesting in all the 30 constituencies, the Trinamool and the BJP have fielded candidates in 29 seats each. The Left is contesting 18 of the 30 constituencies, the Congress 10 and the ISF two.
A total of 191 candidates, including 21 women, are contesting in the first phase.In Assam, dignitaries including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Congress state president Ripun Bora contesting in the first phase.
