New Delhi: Political parties on Sunday welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of election dates for four states and one Union Territory. West Bengal will go to polls in two phases from April 23, while Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will go to polls on April 9 and Tamil Nadu on April 23; All results will be declared on May 4.In 2021, voting took place in eight phases in West Bengal and three phases in Assam. Voting may be held in a single phase in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, while West Bengal and Assam are likely to see voting in multiple phases due to large voter areas.

Welcoming the Election Commission’s move to hold elections in Bengal in two phases, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party called it a “civilization battle”. Congress also welcomed the Election Commission’s move to hold elections in the state in two phases, although TMC said the number of phases was just a “reflection of what the BJP wants”.

The poll panel had earlier announced that assembly elections for 294 seats in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes taking place on May 4.Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and others welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of holding single-phase polls in the state.

How did BJP react?

Welcoming the move, the BJP expressed confidence of winning the elections in West Bengal, saying “the countdown to the end of Mahajangal Raj has begun”, referring to the TMC government in the state.“This is not just an election, it is a civilizational battle. On April 23 and 29, the people of West Bengal will vote in two phases to reclaim their future. The countdown to the end of Mahajangal Raj has begun. 50 days to go – May 4 will be a new dawn for Bengal,” the Bengal BJP unit of Bengal said in a post on Twitter.

How did TMC react?

The All India Trinamool Congress rejected the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Bengal elections in two phases, alleging that the election schedule was determined based on the “requirements of its political masters”.The party also questioned what it called “duplicity” of the commission, pointing out that the 2021 assembly elections in the state were held in eight phases despite high Covid-19 infections, while the upcoming elections are limited to only two phases.TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, “The number of phases is completely a reflection of what the BJP wants and the Election Commission has only followed the requirement of its political masters.”Chakraborty said, “Otherwise, how can one justify holding elections in the state in eight phases in 2021 when people were dying of Covid infection and now deciding to hold elections in two phases when there is no such problem. The number of elections does not matter, people will demolish the BJP despite it.”

How did Congress react?

The Congress appreciated the Election Commission’s announcement that elections will be held in one phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu and in two phases in West Bengal.P. Chidambaram said in a social media post, “I welcome the announcement that elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu will be held in one phase and in West Bengal in two phases. I am happy that the number of phases has been reduced to one phase/two phases.” Senior Congress leader Pradeep Bhattacharya welcomed the decision to hold assembly elections in West Bengal in two phases, but expressed concern over whether voters would be able to exercise their franchise freely and without fear.The former West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief said he had raised the issue of alleged voter intimidation during talks with the full bench. Election Commission of India During his recent visit to the state.“I welcome the Election Commission’s move to conduct elections in West Bengal in two phases. But my only concern is that voters should be able to cast their votes freely and without any fear,” Bhattacharya told PTI. He said, “I have seen many such elections when even though there were six or seven phases of elections, voters were not able to cast their votes.”

How did DMK, AIADMK react?

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as well as other political parties in Tamil Nadu on Sunday welcomed the announcement of the assembly election schedule by the Election Commission of India and expressed confidence of victory in the elections to be held on April 23.Salem Dharanidharan, a DMK functionary, said since party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin took charge, his focus has been on governance and public welfare, adding that the state government’s schemes are now being replicated across the country.He also said that the party’s preparations for the elections had effectively begun on the very day Stalin took charge as Chief Minister. He said, “DMK will achieve a massive victory in the elections… There will be sweeping; Winning more than 200 seats out of 234,” he said.Meanwhile, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said, “Our party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami has already campaigned in around 200 constituencies. We are ready to face the elections tomorrow too and we will win whenever the elections are held.” He said people are supporting the AIADMK and expressed confidence that the party and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance – including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi – will achieve a major victory and form the next government in the state.