In relief for Mamata Banerjee, EC announces Bhabanipur bypoll; BJP slams move

In a major relief for Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission of India announced bypoll date for Bhabanipur, where she is slated to contest. The decision, however, was unwelcome news to the BJP.

The Election Commission of India’s announcement of bypoll for the Bhabanipur seat, where West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is slated to contest, has sparked a political row in the state. While the move has been welcomed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the BJP panned the EC for capitulating to pressure by the party in power. Mamata Banerjee, who lost from Nandigram in May and is currently not an MLA, has until November to get elected in order to continue as chief minister.