Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister on Friday expressed her displeasure over the six-phase election saying, CPI(M), Congress and BJP who can't fight us politically always spread canards against the state.
"Whatever the Election Commission decided we will follow it. But we don't like it that Bengal is always treated in a step-motherly manner," the Trinamool Congress chief said.
"We welcome Election Commission's decision to go for six-phase poll. We will fight the battle. But In Bengal, which is a peaceful state, elections are being held in six phases spread out in seven days," Banerjee said.
Within an hour of the election schedule being announced for West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress released its list of candidates for all 294 assembly seats, re-nominating Saradha ponzi scam accused Madan Mitra.
Banerjee said the party has nominated 45 women candidates, up from 31 in 2011. The number of Muslim candidates has risen from 38 five years ago to 57.
West Bengal with 294 Assembly seats will vote on April 4-11, 17, 21, 25 and 30 and May 5.
The Trinamool stranglehold has forced the Congress and the Left in the state -- for decades bitter enemies -- to try to close ranks. Although, the BJP is a minor player in the state, but is leaving no stone unturned.
