Sources in the government said the Election Commission has already completed discussions with the Union Home Ministry on force requirements and is waiting for introduction of the Railway Budget and general Budget before announcing the poll schedule, possibly on March 1.
The polls in West Bengal may be staggered over five phases, with the first phase taking off in mid-April and the last phase extending into May. Tamil Nadu, however, may see a single-phase poll, as was the case in 2006. Kerala and Assam may also see polling over two or more phases. Polls in Assam are likely to be completed in April.
There is likely to be heavy deployment of Central forces in West Bengal, as political clashes and Maoist violence are expected. Sources indicated the quantum of forces committed for West Bengal this time is far more than the number deployed in the 2006.
Politically, Congress is banking on a good show in the coming polls to help it overcome troubles for its scam-battered government at the Centre. A victory in state elections will help it to regain the political momentum.
This expectation is based on sound political reasoning. With anti-incumbency supposed to have set in irrevocably in West Bengal and Kerala, Congress and allies are seen comfortably poised to win b [...]
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