Tight Contest Unfolds in West Bengal Assembly Elections

In the Tollyganj seat of South Kolkata, West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas is trailing in the assembly elections. After five counting rounds, he is 624 votes behind BJP's Papia Adhikari. Biswas recently resigned as Sports Minister due to controversy over an event mishap but remains in charge of the Power Department.

West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas faces a tough battle in the Tollyganj seat as assembly election votes are counted. According to initial results, Biswas is trailing by 624 votes to BJP's Papia Adhikari, an ex-Bengali film star. Sixteen voting rounds are scheduled for this closely-watched seat.

In a recent development, Biswas stepped down from his role as the state's Sports Minister. This move followed backlash from the public due to alleged mismanagement at a high-profile Lionel Messi event last December at Salt Lake Stadium. Spectators reportedly grew unruly amid serious security lapses.

Despite stepping down as Sports Minister, Biswas continues to serve in West Bengal's cabinet, holding onto his responsibilities as the head of the Power Department. The outcome in Tollyganj could have broader implications for his political career.