Bhabanipur Bypoll Ahead, Mamata Banerjee Grants Rs 50,000 Each To Durga Puja Pandals

Mamata Banerjee is contesting the Bhabanipur assembly bypoll on September 30 and, with the model code of conduct in place, didn't declare it herself.

In what has become an annual feature, the West Bengal government today declared a grant of Rs 50,000 each to all 36,000 Durga Puja clubs in the state, 2,500 of them in Kolkata alone. Unlike in the past, the announcement was made not by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but her Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi. This was clearly because the Bhabanipur assembly bypoll, which she is contesting, is scheduled for September 30, along with elections in two other assembly seats. The BJP, though, is furious over the announcement. A delegation of the party met the Chief Election Officer in Kolkata and complained about the alleged violation of the model code of conduct. It will take up the matter with the Election Commission tomorrow.