A GROUP OF WOMEN, WHO HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BY POLITICAL RIVALS,...

A GROUP OF WOMEN, WHO HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BY POLITICAL RIVALS, HOLD A BANNER AT A VILLAGE NEAR KESHPUR. A group of women, who have been chased out of their homes by political rivals, hold a banner at a village near Keshpur,150 km (95 miles) south of the eastern Indian city of Calcutta on September 8, 2000. They had gone to meet Defence Minister George Fernandes, who came to the Keshpur area, which has seen fierce battles between communists who have ruled the West Bengal province for 23 years, and their rivals who have vowed to topple them in next year's provincial elections. The women demanded the dismissal of the provincial government and direct rule from New Delhi, which is possible under article 356 of the Indian Constitution.