Kolkata: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest the crucial bypoll for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in Kolkata on September 30.
Mamata must win the bypoll to remain CM.
Earlier on Saturday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) notified the date for bypolls in three Assembly constituencies in Bengal — Bhabanipur, Samserganj and Jangipu — and Pipli in Odisha.
The votes will be counted on October 3, the poll body said.
However, bypolls for 31 other constituencies, including those in Maharashtra, Telangana and a few north-east states, were deferred in light of the COVID situation.
“… considering the constitutional exigency and special request from the state of West Bengal, it has (been) decided to hold bypoll for AC 159 – Bhabanipur. Much stricter norms have been kept by the Commission as an abundant caution to safeguard from COVID-19,” the ECI said.
