S Moin / Kolkata
Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday announced their candidates for all the eight phases of assembly elections. Left parties also announced their candidate list and the formula of seat sharing for the first two phases.
Announcing names of 291 candidates, Trinamool Congress Chief and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said that she will be contesting from Nandigram in East Medinipur district. Sovandeb Chattopadhyay will contest from her present constituency Bhawanipore.
There are 50 women candidates in the list and a lot of new faces can be seen this time. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwari, former footballer Bidesh Basu, actors Kanchan Mullick, June Malia, Sayantika, Sayoni, director Raj Chakraborty, singer Aditi Munsi are among the new faces. Ms Bannerjee has said that due to covid situation, several veteran ministers and leaders above 80 years of age will not be contesting the polls this time.
On the other hand, the Left parties also announced their candidates baring a few seats for the first two phases of elections. Out of 60 seats, left parties have announced candidates for 38 constituencies yesterday and left 11 seats for alliance partner Congress and 5 seats for ISF. Chairman of the Left Front Biman Basu has said that no decision has been made so far regarding Nandigram.
Congress, ISF and BJP are also expected to announce their candidates by 8th March for the first two phases. Filing of nomination for the first phase ends on 9th March.