Monday, March 6 2006 16:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: After the BJP, the Congress in West Bengal today (Mar 06 2006) demanded re-scheduling of the first two phases of the assembly election slated for April 17 and 22 in the state citing lack of time for campaigning.

"The Higher Secondary examination will conclude on April 13 and April 14 is the Bengali New Year's day. We will hardly get any time to campaign mainly for the first two phases of the poll," state Congress working president Pradip Bhattacharya told sources here.

"In this scenario, we urge the Election Commission to re-schedule the first two phases of polling. In fact, political parties will not get even a single day for campaign for the April 17 election," he said.

The State BJP was the first to urge the Commission to defer the entire poll in the state on similar grounds.

The main opposition party, Trinamool Congress, however, is yet to make any such demand.