Close call in Birbhum

A close fight is expected between Trinamool Congress and Congress over Nalhati municipality in Birbhum district. The Congress and Trinamool were both hopeful of winning a majority in the municipality election conducted today. In the last poll,the Congress emerged as the single largest party by bagging 11 out of 15 wards in Nalhati while the Left Front secured only four seats. In 2007,the Congress suffered a major setback after eight of its councillors joined Trinamool. One councillor each from CPI and Forward Bloc also joined Trinamool at the same time.

In the last Assembly election,Trinamool supported Congress candidate Abhijit Mukherjee and got a substantial lead in 14 of 15 wards. This time,the Trinamool and Congress are fighting against each other in all seats.

Today’s election was largely peaceful. Stray incidents of booth jamming in wards 8 and 13 were reported,and till 12 noon polling was slow.

A presiding officer at Nalhati Junior Madrasah Primary School in ward 8 said polling was slow in the morning but gradually picked up in late afternoon. Around 40-42 per cent polling was reported till 12 pm. Till 6 pm,it went up to 82 per cent,said Birbhum DM Jagdish Meena. There are 26,080 voters in the municipality.