In the last test before the all important Assembly elections, political parties are squaring off for elections in two critical municipalities.
The ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front are once again pitted against each other, with BJP also emerging as a strong force.
Elections are being held for Asansol Municipal Corporation (106 wards) and Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporation (41)
There have been reports of sporadic violence in the run up to the polls and there are apprehension of some violence today.
The Asansol Municipal Corporation was formed by merging Raniganj, Jamuria and Kulti municipalities while the Bidhannagar corporation was constituted by merging Bidhan Nagar and Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipalities. TMC is expected to win but has been riddled with factional fight which may upset its equation.
The Left has had traditional strong base in these areas and are eager to do well after their impressive performance in Siliguri. BJP too is no pushover and Union Minister Babul Supriyo in Asansol has done his bits to see that lotus blooms there. BJP hopes that Bidhan Nagar with its posh urban population will also vote in their favour.
Elections are also being held for Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad in north Bengal, which consists of areas of the Terai region. The polls there will be a five cornered contest between CPI(M), TMC, BJP, Congress and GJM in some wards.
With agency inputs