29 years in Bengal & going strong
2006
In West Bengal, the Left Front romped home, bucking all talk of anti-incumbency and exorcised the ghost of rigging, because this was -- all parties admit -- a watershed election in the state in terms of security arrangements.
Many interpret this landslide verdict as a thumbs up for 'Renaissance man' Buddhadeb Bhattacharya (in image), the chief minister who has ushered economic reforms and who is being heralded as the architect of a new Bengal.
There is a big question mark over the political future of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, whose party has been decimated.
Also See: The writing is on the wall
Five State Fight: Assembly Election 2006