Exit polls predict Left Front win in West Bengal

Kolkata: About 76 per cent of the 9.3 million electorate voted in the fourth phase of assembly elections in West Bengal yesterday, with exit polls predicting a win for the ruling Left Front for the seventh term.

Exit polls by two major Bengali news channels gave the Left Front 38 to 39 seats, followed by 10 to 13 to the Congress and five-to-seven to the Trinamool Congress.

The polling was held in 57 constituencies in three districts. The West Bengal assembly has 294 members.

The exit poll by Star Ananda-AC Nielson, covering the fourth phase, predicted 38 seats for the Left Front, 13 for the Congress and five for the Trinamool. Another exit poll by Kolkata TV-ORG Marg gave 39, 10 and seven seats respectively to the three political forces. Both gave one seat to smaller groups.

The Election Commission said the polling was peaceful. Of the 57 seats, 19 fell in Murshidabad, 26 in Burdwan and 12 in Birbhum district.

"No untoward incident was reported. The turnout is very high and spontaneous. We are happy," said Deputy Election Commissioner Anand Kumar.

A total of 288 candidates, including 20 women, were in the fray in the fourth phase.

Of the 57 assembly seats, the Left won 42 in 2001. In Murshidabad, it took

11 seats, 21 in Burdwan and 10 in Birbhum to inflict a crushing defeat on the Congress and the Trinamool.

Though the other two districts, including Bengal's rice bowl Burdwan, are red bastions, the Left would seek to make gains in Murshidabad where the Congress is strong, but ridden with factionalism.

Campaigning has been high pitched in Murshidabad with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya hitting the campaign trail aggressively.

Among the prominent candidates are West Bengal Industry Minister Nirupam Sen from Burdwan South, Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee (Durgapur I in Burdwan) and Animal Resources Minister Anisur Rahman in Murshidabad (Domkal).

The first three phases (April 17, 22 and 27) saw polling in 187 constituencies. The elections end on May 8.