Gourbazar, April 20 (IANS) With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that the BJP is set to form the government in the state this time. He expressed strong confidence in the party’s prospects, stating that the outcome is “100 per cent confirmed”.

Speaking to IANS in Gaur Gourbazar in West Bardhaman district, where he is campaigning for the BJP, CM Sarma said, “This time BJP is going to form a government, 100 per cent confirmed.”

West Bengal is set to vote in a streamlined two-phase Assembly election, covering all 294 constituencies — an unusual departure from the multi-phase polling seen in previous elections. Voting for the first phase will be held on April 23, followed by the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

In the first phase, polling will take place across 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts. The remaining 142 constituencies in seven districts will go to the polls in the second phase, completing the electoral process across the state.

This year’s election marks a significant shift in West Bengal’s electoral pattern. After a single-phase election in 2001, the state has largely witnessed multi-phase polling, including the extensive eight-phase election held in 2021. The move to conduct voting in just two phases is being attributed to improved administrative planning and enhanced security arrangements.

Reacting to the rejection of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, CM Sarma also made sharp political remarks. He said, “Women are very sad, and they will take revenge on Mamata Banerjee, the DMK, and the Congress.”

The proposed legislation, related to women’s reservation, failed to pass after the Centre could not secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. A total of 298 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the bill, while 230 opposed it.

Following the setback, two other bills, including one related to delimitation and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats, were not put to a vote, as the government stated they were intrinsically linked to the women’s reservation legislation. The debate in the Lok Sabha saw the Centre strongly advocating for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

–IANS

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