The municipal elections in West Bengal, held in February 2021, were significant for several reasons. Firstly, they marked the first major electoral contest in the state since the 2019 general election. Secondly, these elections were seen as a test of the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's popularity, which had been facing increasing criticism over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.
Finally, the elections were highly contested, with multiple parties fielding candidates in most of the wards.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the municipal elections in West Bengal 2021. It covers the key events, results, and implications of the elections.
The municipal elections in West Bengal are held every five years to elect the members of the local municipal bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats. The State Election Commission of West Bengal (SEC) is responsible for conducting the elections.
In 2021, elections were scheduled to be held for 112 municipal bodies, including 7 municipal corporations. The total number of wards up for election was 2,182.
The key events in the run-up to the municipal elections in West Bengal 2021 included:
The TMC emerged as the clear winner in the municipal elections, winning 102 out of 112 municipal bodies. The BJP won 9 municipal bodies, while the Left Front won 1 municipal body.
In the seven municipal corporations, the TMC won six, while the BJP won one. The TMC also won a majority of the wards in most of the other municipal bodies.
The results of the municipal elections in West Bengal 2021 have several implications:
The municipal elections in West Bengal 2021 were a significant event in the state's political landscape. The TMC's victory is a clear indication of the party's continued popularity, while the BJP's defeat is a setback for the party. The Left Front's poor performance is a continuation of the party's decline in the state.
Table 1: Results of the Municipal Elections in West Bengal 2021
Party | Number of Municipal Bodies Won | Percentage of Votes |
---|---|---|
TMC | 102 | 48.6% |
BJP | 9 | 38.5% |
Left Front | 1 | 10.2% |
Others | 0 | 2.7% |
Table 2: Results of the Municipal Elections in the Seven Municipal Corporations
Municipal Corporation | Winning Party | Percentage of Votes |
---|---|---|
Kolkata | TMC | 50.1% |
Howrah | TMC | 49.2% |
Bidhannagar | TMC | 52.3% |
Asansol | BJP | 49.1% |
Siliguri | TMC | 51.5% |
Durgapur | TMC | 48.9% |
Bardhaman | TMC | 50.2% |
Table 3: Voter Turnout in the Municipal Elections in West Bengal 2021
Phase | Voter Turnout |
---|---|
Phase 1 (27 February 2021) | 78.6% |
Phase 2 (1 March 2021) | 80.2% |
Phase 3 (3 March 2021) | 81.5% |
Story 1:
In one of the wards in Kolkata, a candidate from a small party was campaigning door-to-door. When he knocked on one door, a woman opened it and said, "I'm not going to vote for you because you're from a small party."
The candidate replied, "But madam, I'm the only candidate who is from this ward. All the other candidates are from other wards."
The woman thought for a moment and said, "You know what, I think you have a point." She then voted for the candidate.
What we learn: It is important to be persistent and to not give up easily.
Story 2:
In another ward, a candidate from a major party was campaigning when he saw a group of people sitting on a bench. He approached them and started talking about his plans for the ward.
One of the people on the bench said, "We're not going to vote for you because you're from a major party. You're all the same."
The candidate replied, "I understand your frustration, but I'm not like the other candidates. I'm actually from this ward and I care about the people here."
The group of people listened to the candidate's speech and were impressed by his sincerity. They eventually voted for him.
What we learn: It is important to be genuine and to connect with voters on a personal level.
Story 3:
In a third ward, a candidate from a small party was campaigning when he saw a group of people playing cricket. He joined in the game and started talking to the people.
One of the people playing cricket said, "We're not going to vote for you because you're from a small party. You don't have a chance of winning."
The candidate replied, "I know I don't have a chance of winning, but I'm still running because I want to make a point. I want to show the people of this ward that there are other options besides the major parties."
The people playing cricket were impressed by the candidate's passion. They eventually voted for him.
What we learn: It is important to be passionate and to believe in your cause, even if you don't have a chance of winning.
There are several effective strategies that candidates can use to win municipal elections:
There are several reasons why municipal elections matter:
There are several ways in which municipal elections can benefit communities:
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