Mamata's acid test
Ok, so finally the dates have been announced. Since the beginning of this year, political parties in West Bengal have waited impatiently for the Election Commission to announce the polling dates for the state elections which will take place in five states including West Bengal. Being called Mamata Banerjee's "acid test", these elections are extremely significant because it is the first time since the historic elections of 2011 when she toppled the 34-year-old Communist rule and came to power with an overwhelming majority to become chief minister, that her performance will be gauged. It will determine whether she is here to stay or whether the Trinamool Congress was a flash in the pan.