Politics of West Bengal
Encyclopedia
Politics in West Bengal is dominated by the following major political parties, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
, the Indian National Congress
(also known as Congress(I)) and the Trinamool Congress
. All three are leading a regional bloc of parties, the CPI(M) heads the Left Front
and the Trinamool Congress has emerged as the main component of the National Democratic Alliance
in the state. The Congress(I) generally head informal alliances of various minor parties that align ahead of elections.
In 1977 the Left Front won the state assembly elections, and since then the state is ruled by communists and other left groups. The West Bengal state government hold the Indian record of period of governance. The last election won by the Left Front was the 2006 state assembly election
.
Until 2001, Jyoti Basu
was the Chief Minister of the state. After his resignation, due to health reasons, Buddhadev Bhattacharya became the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
In the run up to the 2011 elections, the state has witnessed several violent clashes between the workers of the opposition parties and the ruling party cadres.
In 2011 Assembly Election
, Trinamool Congress- Indian National Congress alliance won by a huge margin with Mamata Banerjee
becoming the first woman chief minister of West Bengal after a 34 year Communist rule.
Major political parties of West Bengal
Political parties of West Bengal
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India is a political party in India. It has a strong presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. As of 2011, CPI is leading the state government in Tripura. It leads the Left Front coalition of leftist parties in various states and the national parliament of...
, the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
(also known as Congress(I)) and the Trinamool Congress
All India Trinamool Congress
The All India Trinamool Congress is a state political party in West Bengal. Founded in 1 January 1998, the party is led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress is currently the second largest member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition...
. All three are leading a regional bloc of parties, the CPI(M) heads the Left Front
Left Front
The Left Front is an alliance of Indian leftist parties. After a 34-year reign in West Bengal, the Left Front was swept from power in the 2011 election...
and the Trinamool Congress has emerged as the main component of the National Democratic Alliance
National Democratic Alliance (India)
The National Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition of political parties in India. At the time of its formation in 1998, it was led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and had thirteen constituent parties. Its convenor is Sharad Yadav, and its honorary chairman is former prime minister Atal...
in the state. The Congress(I) generally head informal alliances of various minor parties that align ahead of elections.
In 1977 the Left Front won the state assembly elections, and since then the state is ruled by communists and other left groups. The West Bengal state government hold the Indian record of period of governance. The last election won by the Left Front was the 2006 state assembly election
West Bengal state assembly election, 2006
The West Bengal state assembly election of 2006, part of a series of state assembly elections in 2006, was scheduled to occur in five phases. The election took place in the following manner — for 45 assembly constituency s occurred on April 17, 2006; 66 ACs on April 22, 77 ACs on April 27, 57 ACs...
.
Until 2001, Jyoti Basu
Jyoti Basu
Jyoti Basu was an Indian politician belonging to the Communist Party of India from West Bengal, India. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of any Indian state. Basu was a member of the CPI Politburo from the time of the...
was the Chief Minister of the state. After his resignation, due to health reasons, Buddhadev Bhattacharya became the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
In the run up to the 2011 elections, the state has witnessed several violent clashes between the workers of the opposition parties and the ruling party cadres.
In 2011 Assembly Election
West Bengal state assembly election, 2011
The West Bengal state assembly election, 2011 was held in six phases between 18 April and 10 May 2011 for all the 294 seats of the Vidhan Sabha in the state of West Bengal in India. The Trinamool Congress won an absolute majority of seats. Swami Ramdev backed Mamta and actively campaigned with his...
, Trinamool Congress- Indian National Congress alliance won by a huge margin with Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee is the 11th and current chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal. She is the first woman to hold the office. Banerjee founded All India Trinamool Congress in 1997 and became chairperson, after separating from the Indian National Congress...
becoming the first woman chief minister of West Bengal after a 34 year Communist rule.
Major political parties of West Bengal
See also
- Government of West BengalGovernment of West BengalThe Government of West Bengal also known as the State Government of West Bengal, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of West Bengal and its 19 districts...
- Chief Minister of West Bengal
Political parties of West Bengal