TWO THOUSAND STUDENT SUPPORTERS OF WEST BENGAL'S MARXIST PARTY DEMONSTRATED IN CALCUTTA ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 25) IN SUPPORT OF FRESH ELECTIONS.

WEST BENGAL-INDIA'S LARGEST INDUSTRIAL STATE-HAS BEEN WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT SINCE MARCH 16, WHEN THE 14-PARTY COALITION BROKE UP.

THE DEMONSTRATORS MARCHED TO THE STATE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, CHANTING SLOGANS. A LARGE POLICE CORDON ENSURED THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE DURING THE PROTEST.

THE STUDENTS SAID THAT UNLESS NEW ELECTIONS WERE HELD WITHIN SIX WEEKS THERE WOULD BE WIDESPREAD UNREST THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WEST BENGAL'S CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS WAS TOUCHED OFF BY THE RESIGNATION OF CHIEF MINISTER AJOY MUKHERJEE, WHO ACCUSED THE MARXISTS-DOMINANT PARTNERS IN THE GOVERNMENT COALITION-OF INSTIGATING "A REIGN OF TERROR". THIRTY-TWO PEOPLE DIED AND HUNDREDS WERE INJURED IN A MARXIST-LED 24-HOUR GENERAL STRIKE TO PROTEST AT MR. MUKHERJEE'S ACTION.

WEST BENGAL WAS PLACED UNDER DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL CONTROL ON MARCH 19.

THE MARXIST PARTY HAS BEGUN A CONCERTED CAMPAIGN TO GET ELECTIONS IN THE STATE. PARTY LEADER JYOTI BASU ASKED FOR A FRESH POLL DURING HIS MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT MINISTERS IN NEW DELHI.

THE MARXISTS HAVE ALSO DEMANDED THE STOPPAGE OF WHAT THEY CALLED "POLICE REPRESSION" AGAINST THEIR PARTY IN WEST BENGAL.