CALCUTTA, July 21: The challenge to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by the Trinamool Congress and dissident Marxists in Sunday's election to the three municipalities of Mahestala, South Dum Dum and Dum Dum in West Bengal fizzled out with the dominant Left Front partner retaining all three boards.State Election Commission sources said the CPI (M) secured a clear majority in the Mahestala municipality in South 24 Paraganas district, retaining 24 out of the 35 wards. The CPI won two seats while the Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Bloc bagged one seat each. The Congress captured six wards and the Trinamool Congress one.In the South Dum Dum municipality in South 24 Parganas district, the Trinamool Congress came a close second to the CPI (M) bagging six wards, but in Dum Dum, it just bagged one. In both the municipalities, Independents, who are dissident Marxists, got four and six wards respectively.Of the 35 wards in South Dum Dum municipality, the CPI-M captured 19 seats, the Trinamool Congress bagged six, the Bharatiya Janata Party two, the Congress two, the CPI and Forward Bloc one each. Four Independents, including expelled CPI-M leader Sujit Basu, got elected.
