Extending his party’s full support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the second phase of assembly elections, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik on Wednesday said that NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who was supposed to campaign in the poll-bound state from April 1 to 3, had to cancel his schedule due to an illness but he may campaign for the last phase of the elections.
Earlier, Malik had on March 29 informed that Pawar’s public programs were cancelled after he was diagnosed with gallbladder disease for which he was scheduled to undergo an operation on March 31.
Speaking to a news agency today, Malik said, “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has asked for Opposition parties’ support. We support her fully. Sharad Pawar was supposed to campaign from April 1-3 in WB, but his tour has been cancelled due to illness. If he recovers, he may campaign in the last phase.”
The first phase of the eight-phased West Bengal Assembly elections concluded with an estimated 79.79 per cent voter turnout.
The second phase of the state Assembly elections will be held on April 1.
Surjitt Sahani
