Bengal Election: Women Glow In Numbers On Mamata Banerjee's Candidate List

Mamata Banerjee candidate list: Trinamool Congress (TMC) Friday declared its list of candidates for the Bengal Election 2021. The total of 291 assembly seats notably comprise a diverse population, including a large percentage of women, Muslims and other oppressed communities. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee will herself contest from Nandigram instead of her current Bhawanipore seat.

TMC's candidate list, released at a press conference, reflects 50 women, 42 Muslims, 79 SCs and 17 STs. Banerjee has also given significant space to first-timers and youth members. No candidate above 80 years of age will contest from TMC.

The 2021 Bengal assembly election will be conducted in eight phases beginning March 27 and extending up to April 29. Poll results are scheduled to be declared on May 2.

Mamata Banerjee Candidate List Is Diverse

Back in 2019 during the general election as well, Banerjee's TMC had fielded a large number of women who occupied 40 percent seats.

In diversifying the candidate list for assembly elections this time, TMC has chosen to drop 28 sitting MLAs and features participation from entertainment industry names. Female actors who won candidacy include Kaushani Mukherjee, Lovely Moitra, June Malia, Aditi Munshi, Sayantika Banerjee and Sayani Ghosh.

Mamata Banerjee candidate list adds diversity, drops some sitting members

Two weeks ago during his election rally in Bengal, BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah had called for "a change in the situation of the poor of the state, a change in the situation of women of the state." He also announced if BJP comes to power in the state, it would ensure a 33 percent quota for women in government jobs.

Female voters form a significant chunk of the voter base in Bengal with a 35 million-strong population.

Banerjee Contesting Nandigram: Here's What To Know

Banerjee had announced at a rally on January 18 that she would contest elections this time from Nandigram, giving up her traditional Bhowanipore, which has been her base camp since 2011. "Nandigram is close to my heart. I can forget my name but I cannot forget Nandigram... today I am announcing that I wish to contest the upcoming poll from Nandigram," she had said.

Her political activity in Nandigram, in the lead-up to the 2011 state election, is considered to have contributed in large part to her victory that year and eventual stronghold in the state.

The Nandigram seat is currently held by Suvendu Adhikari, former TMC leader who joined the BJP in December last eyar ahead of the election.