Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Has Voted. For Kejriwal.

Just as campaigning in Delhi was drawing to an end, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cast her vote. On Twitter, Ms Banerjee posted, "My request to all of you in Delhi to please vote for AAP. For the greater need of the country and development in Delhi."
 

Delhi elections on 7. My request to all of you in Delhi to please vote for AAP. For the greater need of the country and development in Delhi

Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 5, 2015

The contest in Delhi is a very close fight between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party or AAP, which is fronted by Arvind Kejriwal.

In Bengal, Ms Banerjee and her party are contending with a stronger BJP than ever before. Party president Amit Shah has launched a massive recruitment drive and has vowed at different public rallies to ensure a BJP government takes charge when the state votes next year. Some of Ms Banerjee's top leaders - like former union minister Dinesh Trivedi - are reportedly in negotiations to move over to the BJP. In last year's national election, the BJP won two parliamentary seats, allowing it a foothold in a state where it had been a non-entity.

In the last Delhi election a year ago, the BJP won the most seats, but not enough to form the government. Mr Kejriwal formed a minority government, but resigned 49 days later to protest the stalling of an anti-graft proposal by other parties.

Both Mr Kejriwal and Ms Banerjee have in the past shared a warm relationship with Gandhian activist Anna Hazare.

Mr Kejriwal was Anna's closest aide in the India Against Corruption campaign that instigated middle class India to demand tougher laws to punish venal government officials. Mr Kejriwal lost Anna's support in 2012 when he launched the AAP. Last year, ahead of the national election, Anna praised what Ms Banerjee's austere habits and strong leadership, but then cancelled his appearance with her at a rally at the last minute.