Kolkata: The Left Front on Sunday released its list of candidates for the Assembly elections. Taking chances, the Left has fielded an unprecedented number of new candidates.

149 out of 294 candidates in the fray are new. Seven ministers have been dropped by the CPM.

The Left has announced 46 female candidates against 34 in 2006. More than 50 per cent of the Left front MLAs have been denied tickets. Around 150 out of 294 odd MLAs have been dropped including seven ministers in the Buddhadeb government.

The move to field new faces is being seen as a bid to counter Mamata’s slogan for change and to minimise the 35 years of anti-incumbency.

West Bengal CPI(M) secretary Biman Bose said, “Renewal is our formula. New younger candidates should be there and many candidates listed are below the age of 30 years.”

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