While singer Babul Supriyo is the BJP candidate from Asansol and is said to be giving the TMC's Dola Sen a tough time, former actress Sandhya Roy is fighting from Midnapore against Probodh Panda of CPI.
The BJP is, however, likely to be a crucial factor in at least two seats - Asansol and Bankura, and has generated a lot of interest among the electorate.
Elaborate security arrangement has been made for the election with deployment of central forces, helicopters, bomb detection and disposal squad and anti-landmine devices.
Area domination, route marches and flag marches have been set in motion in the entire region and a tight security net has been thrown around specially in Jhargram, Binpur, Bandwan, Balarampur, Jaypur and Baghmundi, OSD in CEO's office Amit Roy Chowdhury said.
Two helicopters have been kept on standby for the three districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia along with medical support teams.
Besides this, 10 satellite phones have been provided for authorities to improve communication.
In view of the sensitive nature of the region, the EC has reduced polling time by two hours in the assembly segments of Jhargram, Binpur and Bandwan under Jhargram Parliamentary constituency, and Balarampur, Baghmundi and Jaypur under Purulia Parliamentary constituency.
