Every 3rd rally in run-up to LS polls held in Bengal
Times of India | 4 June 2024
KOLKATA: One out of every three permissions granted by Election Commission for a political rally, roadshow or street-corner meeting during the Lok Sabha elections cou-ntrywide was in Bengal.
The incredible statistics not only points to the intensity of the fight among political parties for the 42 seats that are up for grabs in Bengal but also highlights the state's vibrant political climate where political consciousness as well as participation in the electoral process are among the highest in the country.
Bengal also had one of the highest use of helicopters during the election with political parties and even independents using choppers for their campaigns. Trinamool Congress star campaigners took four times as many chopper rides as those from BJP.
Lok Sabha ElectionsAssembly ElectionsParty ViewAlliance View.cls-1, .cls-2, .cls-3 { fill: none; } .cls-1, .cls-4, .cls-5, .cls-6 { stroke-width: 0px; } .cls-2 { stroke: #b17979; stroke-miterlimit: 10; stroke-width: 1.2px; } .cls-2, .cls-3 { stroke-linecap: round; } .cls-7 { fill: #595959; font-family: Verdana, Verdana; font-size: 10px; } .cls-7, .cls-8, .cls-9, .cls-10, .cls-11, .cls-12 { isolation: isolate; } .cls-8 { fill: #000; font-family: ArialMT, Arial; } .cls-8, .cls-9, .cls-10 { font-size: 12px; } .cls-3 { stroke: #ccc; } .cls-4, .cls-9, .cls-10 { fill: #1a1a1a; } .cls-4, .cls-11 { display: none; } .cls-9, .cls-10 { font-family: Verdana-Bold, Verdana; font-weight: 700; } .cls-10 { letter-spacing: 0em; } .cls-6 { fill: #ccc; }Majority: 2725430Seats: 543 L + W CONG0BJP0OTH0View MapView DetailsSource: PvalueAccording to statistics released by EC on the eve of results, 2.9 lakh permissions were issued for poll campaigns and related activities nationwide. Of these, 95,543 approvals were for Bengal.
EC granted 669 permissions for chopper use in state
A staggering 33% of the nearly 3 lakh permissions granted by the Election Commission of India for political meetings in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections were for Bengal.
While the figures may appear surprising at first glance given that elections were held in 28 states and eight Union territories, the fact that the election in Bengal was spread over seven phases resulting in campaigns lasting for two and a half months were reasons why so many political events were held in the state.
In the past three months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 22 political rallies and a mega roadshow in north Kolkata, leading the charge from the front for BJP.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, too, toured the state relentlessly to retain political space and reclaim areas that the party had lost to BJP in 2019.
The chief minister held 108 rallies, including several roadshows in Kolkata, while Abhishek held 77 rallies and roadshows.
Both also extensively used choppers to pack as many events into a day as possible.
Altogether, the Election Commission granted 669 permission for chopper use in state, 521 of these were for Trinamool Congress and 124 for BJP.