Beware Of Bullets On V-Day

Salt Lake, no stranger to poll bloodshed, is bracing for its fiercest political showdown. It’s a war where no quarter is given, none taken. The stakes have never been higher here 

Ward 13 (previously Ward 16): Blocks FC, FD, FE, FF 

This ward was the deciding factor in 2000. Re-polling was ordered with CPM and Trinamool Congress tied at 11 wards each. With a lot of heavyweights from both parties being local residents, all-out violence ensued. Several Trinamool leaders were attacked. Bombs were hurled to keep voters away and CPM candidate Gita Biswas emerged the winner. She retained her seat in 2005. 

This time, too, CPM will try everything within its power to hold on 

Ward 3 (previously Ward 12): Blocks AJ, BJ, AK, BK, CJ, DJ 
• In 2005, police caned CPM supporters who were trying to force their way into a polling booth. Trinamool men got into the fray. Amitava Nandy, former MP from Dum Dum, and Jyoti Basu’s confidential assistant Joykrisna Ghosh were injured. Sitting Trinamool councillor Tulshi Sinha Roy won the seat 
Ward 5 (previously Ward 9): Blocks AF and AG 
• In the 2005 elections, MMiC Nandogopal Bhattacharya’s followers allegedly roamed the streets, forcing residents to vote for him. Trinamool complained its polling agents were beaten up and thrown out of booths. Even locals alleged CPM cadres did not let them votes freely 
Ward 17 (previously parts of Ward 23): Bheri areas 
• Trinamool has never succeeded in gaining a toehold in this ward. Ever since Bidhannagar Municipality came into being in 1995, this has been retained by present MMiC Ila Nandy, wife of former CPM MP Amitava Nandy. The opposition has always cried foul here. This ward has witnessed severe violence, especially in Mollarbheri and Munshirbheri. With things not exactly looking up for CPM this time round, Trinamool is going flat out to upset the Left applecart. 
Ward 18 (previously parts of ward 23): Bheri areas 
• High chance of trouble on poll day as CPM will try its best to retain the seat while Trinamool will do everything to oust it. 
Wards 23, 24 and 25 (previously parts of Wards 19, 4 and 1): Duttabad 
• These areas of Bidhannagar along EM Bypass have always witnessed poll-related violence. Notorious criminals, many allegedly backed by CPM, have sought shelter in these slums. This is where bombs and guns are stored for poll-day violence. The opposition has always complained of violence and rigging in this CPM stronghold. 
Ward 19 (previously Ward 22): Sukantanagar 
• A Left bastion, CPM has always ensured that it retains this ward, which is slightly detached from the main township. Complaints of rigging and violence have been common here.