Kolkata:
The Congress on Saturday released its first list of candidates for West Bengal elections starting later this month, naming 13 contenders for the first two of the eight-phase polls.
Among the prominent names in the list is senior party leader Nepal Mahato who has been fielded from the Baghmundi constituency.
The announcement came hours after the BJP released its list with 57 names and a day after the ruling Trinamool Congress’s complete list for the elections to the 294-seat assembly.
West Bengal will hold elections in a record eight rounds between March 27 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 2 along with four other states that are going to polls.
The Congress is contesting the election in alliance with its long-time rival the Left and the Indian Secular Front (ISF).
The party, which has got 92 seats in its share, has said their coalition will beat both the ruling Trinamool Congress and a formidable BJP in these elections.