PEOPLE MARCHING THROUGH STREETS; PARTY LEADERS SPEAKING.




Initials DHC/VS/CR/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LEADERS OF THE LEFT-WING UNITED FRONT PARTY TOOK PART IN A LARGE PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION IN CALCUTTA YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE PARTY'S VICTORY IN THE WEST BENGAL ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE UNITED FRONT PARTY HAD AN OVERWHELMING WIN IN THE ELECTIONS, AND NOW HAS AN ABSOLUTE MANDATORY IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY.

THOUSANDS TURNED OUT IN CALCUTTA FOR THE CELEBRATIONS. THEY CARRIED BRIGHT RED BANNERS AND SHOUTED SLOGANS IN PRAISE OF THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. THE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN OVER SINCE FEBRUARY 13, BUT FOR THE PAST WEEK THE PARTY HAS BEEN FINALISING LEADERSHIP DETAILS.

MR AJOY MUKHERJI WAS ELECTED THE NEW OHIER MINISTER. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED IN THE CELEBRATIONS BY THE TWO OTHER LEADING COALITION PARTY MEMBERS, MR JYOTI BASU AND MR BIJAY BANNERJI.

WEST BENGAL IS INDIA'S MAIN INDUSTRIAL STATE,AND HAS A POPULATION OF 40 MILLIONS. THE UNITED FRONT WAS ALREADY IN POWER IN WEST BENGAL, BUT THE RECENT ELECTIONS INCREASE THEIR MAJORITY.