04-28-2006, 08:28 AM
riday, April 28, 2006
Indiaâs communists draw middle-class vote in West Bengal
KOLKATA: Thousands voted on Thursday in an east Indian state where the ruling communists are expected to return to power with the unusual support of a new, well-heeled middle class.
West Bengal has the worldâs longest-serving elected communist government which is looking forward to a seventh straight term, this time with the help of groups who have shunned it in the past.
The stateâs ruling left has actively wooed foreign and domestic investment after years of focusing on land reform and empowering poor peasants.
The five-stage election in the state of 80 million people is one of five in different states and is seen as the biggest test for the Congress party-led federal coalition, which came to power in 2004. The vote pits Indiaâs communists, who support the federal coalition, against the Congress in two states and analysts say a good showing by the left could see it gain more say in New Delhi over foreign and economic policies.
âThank God, Calcutta is changing. I will vote for the left for the first time, as the quality of life in the city is better,â said hotel executive Salmoli Mukerji. Her sentiments were echoed across Kolkata, once known as Calcutta, with voters crediting reformist Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Kolkata, once famous for its urban poverty and Mother Teresaâs efforts to ease its effects, is witnessing a real estate and retail boom with new shopping malls, hotels and modern offices springing up. Investors, including global and Indian IT giants, have flocked to the city. Thursdayâs polls involve more than 12 million people voting for 76 seats in the 294-member state assembly. The vote ends on May 8 and ballots are due to be counted on May 11 and results expected the same day. Security was high across Kolkata and two neighbouring districts also voting on Thursday and there were no reports of violence. Reuters
Indiaâs communists draw middle-class vote in West Bengal
KOLKATA: Thousands voted on Thursday in an east Indian state where the ruling communists are expected to return to power with the unusual support of a new, well-heeled middle class.
West Bengal has the worldâs longest-serving elected communist government which is looking forward to a seventh straight term, this time with the help of groups who have shunned it in the past.
The stateâs ruling left has actively wooed foreign and domestic investment after years of focusing on land reform and empowering poor peasants.
The five-stage election in the state of 80 million people is one of five in different states and is seen as the biggest test for the Congress party-led federal coalition, which came to power in 2004. The vote pits Indiaâs communists, who support the federal coalition, against the Congress in two states and analysts say a good showing by the left could see it gain more say in New Delhi over foreign and economic policies.
âThank God, Calcutta is changing. I will vote for the left for the first time, as the quality of life in the city is better,â said hotel executive Salmoli Mukerji. Her sentiments were echoed across Kolkata, once known as Calcutta, with voters crediting reformist Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Kolkata, once famous for its urban poverty and Mother Teresaâs efforts to ease its effects, is witnessing a real estate and retail boom with new shopping malls, hotels and modern offices springing up. Investors, including global and Indian IT giants, have flocked to the city. Thursdayâs polls involve more than 12 million people voting for 76 seats in the 294-member state assembly. The vote ends on May 8 and ballots are due to be counted on May 11 and results expected the same day. Security was high across Kolkata and two neighbouring districts also voting on Thursday and there were no reports of violence. Reuters