Mayoral race: big stakes, close fight: Prasanta fights 'outsider' tag.

CALCUTTA, June 23. - It seemed it was David vs Goliath as Mr Swapan Samaddar, sitting Trinamul councillor, took on Mr Prasanta Chatterjee, mayor, in ward 30. But as the campaign progressed, the gap narrowed - the contestants now appear more evenly matched.

Mr Samaddar says Mr Chatterjee is an "outsider", and announces Panskura would show the way in the ward. How can a non-resident come to the ward's help in an hour of need, he asks. Besides, the mayor has a record of "deserting" his ward every election.

Mr Chatterjee shrugs off the "outsider" tag. And explains he has had to be a so-called deserter simply because his wards have been reserved for women at …