PCPA to contest West Bengal assembly polls in 2011

The People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) announced on Monday its decision to contest the 2011 West Bengal assembly elections.

PCPA will be fielding candidates in the three Maoist strongholds of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Most PCPA candidates will be fielded from West Midnapore.

PCPA will officially submit an application to the Election Commission seeking “bow and arrow” as their party symbol. “If the commission does not approve of our symbol, we will contest as independent candidates,” PCPA general secretary Manoj
Mahato said.

Mahato did not comment on whether PCPA would contest independently as a party or as an ally of a bigger political party. He also refused to identify the PCPA candidates who will contest.

West Bengal Police have forwarded to the Union home ministry a report citing PCPA’s plans to contest the assembly elections.
State intelligence branch sources said that they had information about PCPA’s intention to contest the state assembly polls. “As per our information besides Manoj Mahato, former PCPA chief Chhatradhar Mahato might also file nominations from jail,” a senior intelligence official said.

Political analysts, however, feel that PCPA contesting the assembly elections would prove crucial for both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress. “If PCPA fights independently, the Left Front would benefit as in the three districts [West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia] the opposition vote will be divided. However, if PCPA contests as an ally of Trinamool Congress, it would give the Left Front a major jolt,” a political analyst said.