Bypoll

This was perhaps her expression of gratitude for the GJMM on the latter's support for the Trinamool candidate in the Rajgunj assembly bypoll.

Yet the ruling party has been able to win the Howrah bypoll comfortably.

Sawant is the widow of former MLA Bala Sawant who died sometime back and due to this this bypoll was held.

The extent of the DMK's alleged vote-buying in the 2009 Thirumangalam bypoll led to observers speaking of excessive cash distribution ahead of elections as the "Thirumangalam" model.