Tag: Bengal Assembly elections

  • Mamata Banerjee to be sworn in as Bengal CM on May 5; will move court over Nandigram verdict

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for a third consecutive term on May 5, senior party leader Partha Chatterjee confirmed.

    The newly-elected MLAs of the Trinamool Congress unanimously elected Banerjee as the legislative party leader at a meeting here, its secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.

    The TMC legislators elected the speaker in the outgoing House, Biman Banerjee, as the pro-tem speaker in the new Assembly.

    “The newly-elected members will take oath in the Assembly from May 6,” Chatterjee told reporters at the party headquarters here after the meeting of the legislators.

    The BJP emerged as the main opposition party with 77 seats under its belt, while incumbent TMC has won 213 of the 292 seats where polling was held in eight phases in March and April.

    ALSO READ | West Bengal Assembly Election results: Nandigram swung like a pendulum

    The party is set to return for a third term after registering a resounding win overall but Nandigram remained a bone of contention with a neck-and-neck tussle between CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

    ALSO WATCH:

    Banerjee, who lost to Adhikari in the constituency by a narrow margin, has decided to move court over the verdict after the Election Commission refused its request for a recount.

    READ MORE HERE | Mamata loses Nandigram but wins election ‘khela’ of the decade in Bengal at a canter

    “How come the EC reversed the Nandigram result after formally announcing it? We will move court, she said at a press meet. 

    The TMC supremo also stated that this is the first time she didn’t receive a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was spearheading BJP’s campaign in the poll-bound state.

    It is for the second time in succession that Banerjee powered her party to two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

    Importantly, Trinamool Congress has refrained from celebrations amid surging coronavirus cases in the state and decided to hold a victory march once the pandemic is over.

    (With inputs from Online Desk)

  • Nandigram poll officer feared for his life, so did not give recounting order: Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Monday that the returning officer of Nandigram feared for his life and so he did not give a recounting order.

    Addressing a press meet, Banerjee reiterated that she will move court over the election result in Nandigram where she lost to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

    Banerjee made public a purported SMS from the Nandigram Returning Officer to a CEO official, claiming that he had expressed fear that if he ordered recounting he would face serious consequences, and may even have to die by suicide.

    “How come EC reverse Nandigram result after formally announcing it? We will move court against this,” she said.

    “Why was the server down for four hours? We are willing to accept people’s mandate but if the result of one place has anomalies, there may be something beyond what appears. We have to seek the truth,” she added.

    ALSO WATCH:

    Banerjee urged her supporters to maintain peace amid reports of violence from some areas, asking them not to fall prey to provocations.

    The central forces committed many atrocities on TMC supporters during the elections, she alleged.

    “Even after the results were announced, BJP attacked our supporters in certain areas but we ask our men not to get provoked and instead report to the police,” she said.

    Banerjee alleged that some of the police officers worked in a partisan manner against the TMC during the elections.

    ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee to meet Bengal Guv to stake claim to form govt; to move court over Nandigram verdict

    Hitting out at the Election Commission, she claimed that the BJP would not have crossed the 50-mark in its tally if the poll panel would not have helped it.

    The chief minister again demanded that every citizen of the country should be given free vaccines by the Centre.

    “They are sending vaccine and oxygen to two-three states.

    Why so? Every state should get its due.

    I have heard that in Gujarat, vaccine is being given from the BJP party office.

    Does they (BJP) have any expertise in giving vaccines?” she claimed.

    Replying to a question, Banerjee said her priority is fighting the pandemic and would think about her role in the national elections of 2024 once the COVID-19 crisis is over.

    “I am just a street fighter.

    I can boost the morale of the people, so that we can fight a strong fight against the BJP.

    One cannot do everything alone and it should be a collective effort.

    If collectively we can take a decision, together we can fight the battle of 2024.

    But, first let us fight this COVID crisis and then we will decide on this.

    Now is not the time,” she said.

    Banerjee also claimed that the Left was unable to get back the votes that it lost to the BJP, leading to its further downfall.

    “I may have political differences with them (Left) but I did not want to see them getting zero.

    It would have been better if they got the votes back from the BJP.

    They favoured the BJP so much that they became a signboard.

    They need to think about this.

    Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPIM-L) did not do this,” she said.

    The chief minister said that she did not get the customary call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her victory in the elections.

    “This is the first time I saw a prime minister not calling.

    It is ok, he may be busy.

    I did not take it in sentiment,” she said.

    PTI SUS AMR SOM SOM 05031714 NNNN

  • 108 centres, 292 poll observers, strict COVID measures: Bengal all set for May 2 counting of votes

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes on May 2 for the West Bengal assembly polls and put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to health safety protocols, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19, an official said on Saturday.

    A three-tier security arrangement has been in place at 108 counting centres where polled electronic voting machines (EVMs), along with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units have been kept in strong rooms, he said.

    At least 292 observers have been appointed and 256 companies of central forces deployed at the counting centres spread across 23 districts of the state that voted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29.

    South 24 Parganas district has the maximum number of counting centres at 15, while Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jhargram have one each.

    ALSO READ | BJP expresses confidence about victory in West Bengal elections 2021

    Counting will begin at 8 am on Sunday.

    In view of the rising coronavirus cases in the state, steps have been taken to ensure that COVID guidelines are strictly followed during the counting, the official said.

    All the EVMs and VVPATs at the counting centres will be sanitised before the commencement of the process.

    “Masks, face shields and sanitiser will be kept outside the centres for those involved in the exercise. At least 15 rounds of sanitisation will be done at each centre during the process. We have made a special arrangement for this,” he said.

    The poll panel has decided to place tables in a counting hall in such a way so that social distancing norms are maintained.

    “Not more than seven tables, instead of 14, will be allowed in a counting hall. More tables will be placed where we do not have any space constraint,” he said.

    According to the EC guidelines, candidates and their agents will have to produce a negative COVID test report or double dose of vaccination certificate to get an entry into a counting centre.

    “We have asked the political parties and candidates to give a list of their agents along with a negative test report or vaccination certificate.

    They will be allowed if they meet the safety requirement,” the official said.

    Orders have been issued to all the district administration to prevent gatherings outside the counting centres, and actions will be taken against those involved in the violation of the guidelines, he said.

    Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on Friday ordered shutdown of all shopping malls, salons, restaurants, bars, sports complexes, gyms, spas and swimming pools in the state with immediate effect until further orders, amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

    Social, cultural, academic, entertainment-related gatherings and congregations have also been prohibited in the state for the time being, according to the order.

    The state on Friday registered the highest single-day COVID-19 deaths with 96 people succumbing to the disease, the health department said in a bulletin.

    The tally mounted at 8,28,366 with a record one-day spike of 17,411 new cases of infection.

    The state government, however, said activities related to the electoral counting processes and victory rallies will be guided by the Election Commission protocols.

    “The surge in COVID cases is a huge challenge for us.

    We have taken all forms of measures for Sunday’s counting process.

    Any violation of measures will attract severe action, including legal one,” the official said.

    The EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.

    Blotched by violence, vicious personal attacks and jingoistic fulminations, polling for one of the most gruelling and long-drawn West Bengal assembly elections concluded on Thursday.

    The majority of exit polls released after the eighth and final round of voting suggested that the ruling TMC might have an edge over the opposition BJP and the Left-Congress-ISF combine.

    But, who will get the magic figure of 147 in the house of 294 will be known only after the votes are counted on Sunday.

  • BJP biggest enemy, TMC helped its rise in Bengal: CPM state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said the BJP is the biggest “enemy and threat to the nation.

    However, Mishra, whose party ruled West Bengal for 34 -long years, also claimed BJPs rise has been helped by the ruling Trinamool Congress, with which the saffron party is locked in a bitter electoral contest in West Bengal.

    Declining to give a direct reply on whether the CPI(M) is open to aligning with the TMC in case of a hung assembly, Mishra said: “only a concrete situation can have a concrete answer”.

    Refuting criticism that the CPI (M)s secular credentials were dented by aligning with Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui’s Indian Secular Front (ISF), he said “those who themselves practise communal politics are apprehensive of the Left-ISF-Congress alliance”.

    Accusing the BJP and the TMC of trying to communalise the elections, Mishra speculated the TMC and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) may join hands if both the parties fell short of a majority in the assembly.

    “BJP is our biggest enemy. BJP is not only the biggest enemy but also a threat to the idea of India as also to Bengal. It has to be stopped, and only Left and secular forces can do that. No other bourgeois political party can be compared with the BJP, not even the TMC, said Mishra in an interview to PTI.

    “He added But BJP and communal politics have found a foothold in West Bengal because of the TMC government and its policies.”

    When asked whether CPI(M) would support the TMC in case of a fractured mandate since it has identified the BJP as its biggest enemy, the veteran politician declined to give a direct reply.

    “Many people want us to say something. But we don’t comment on hypothetical questions. Only in case of a concrete situation we can take a concrete decision,” he said.

    On a question on whether refusal by the Congress and Left to support TMC could help BJP, Mishra said: “We are rather apprehensive (that) in such a scenario (fractured mandate), you will see the TMC and the BJP joining hands to form the government.”

    “Both are old alliance partners. That is why we have asked people to ensure that seat tally of both the parties are low enough to ensure the two parties could not join hands to gain a majority, he said. In the 294-member state assembly, 148 is the magic figure to be able to form a government.

    “BJP-RSS didn’t gain ground during the Left or the Congress rule. It is during her (Mamata Banerjees) tenure that RSS gained ground. On various occasions, we have seen how TMC has helped BJP by staging a walkout in parliament,” he said.

    When asked whether a grand opposition alliance can be formed in Bengal without the ruling TMC in it, Mishra referred to the political somersault by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2017 and said, “just like Nitish Kumar, she too lacks credibility in the fight against BJP”.

    “We all know what happened in Bihar after RJD and Congress joined hands with the JD (U) and defeated the BJP in 2015.

    Within two years, Nitish Kumar was back with the BJP. They lack credibility. It is the same for the TMC,” he said.

    Refuting criticism that the CPI (M)-led Left Front compromised its ideology by joining hands with the ISF, Mishra said “The ISF is not a communal force. It is a secular party. He added Go through its candidate list, and you will see it has SCs, STs and Brahmins along with minorities as its nominees.”

    The CPI (M) leader, who is also on the partys politburo, said, ‘The Left parties have performed a historic responsibility in the present circumstances by forming the grand alliance with Congress and ISF.

    It is an irony that those who themselves are communal and pointing fingers at others and are questioning us’.

    Expressing happiness over the “massive response” that the Sanjukta Morcha has received during the campaign, the 71- year-old leader said that despite efforts by TMC and BJP, a triangular contest is being witnessed in the elections and not a bipolar one.

    “This time, the alliance is well-grounded and nicely stitched, unlike 2016 when the Left-Congress alliance was half-hearted.

    I had said then that if we are unable to bring together secular and democratic forces, BJP will gain ground.

    That has happened in Bengal,” he said.

    Speaking of BJP’s electoral rise at the expense of Left’s dwindling vote share, Mihra said it has happened due to sharp communal polarisation.

    “It is a worldwide phenomenon wherever the communal and fascist forces gain ground the Left and the progressive forces lose support.

    Thats why it is necessary to bring all secular and democratic forces together,” he said.

    Replying to a slogan allegedly being given by some: “21 e Ram, 26 e Baam (BJP in 2021 and Left in 2026)”, Mishra said the party doesn’t support such a stand as it would be “akin to jumping from a frying pan to a fire.”

    Mishra also questioned the Election Commission’s impartiality and said “the role of EC is not beyond question.

    The EC is slowly losing credibility as they are not providing a level playing field for all parties,” he said.

  • Bengal polls: Will not hold any major rally amid rise in COVID-19 cases, says TMC’s Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Days after the Left Front said it would not hold any large-scale public meetings in Bengal amid the steep hike in COVID-19 cases, state minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, fielded by the TMC from the prized Bhawanipur seat, said on Sunday that he, too, would desist from organising any major rally.

    Chattopadhyay, who has been entrusted with the job of retaining the Bhawanipur seat after its sitting MLA and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee decided to contest the polls from Nandigram, is the first candidate from the ruling party to have made such a claim.

    “With the rise of Covid cases, I have decided not to hold any Central Rally in Bhawanipur AC for upcoming Election Campaign, which I have always held in previous elections. Requesting everyone to Wear Mask & stay safe,” he tweeted.

    Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also cancelled his public rallies in West Bengal in view of the worsening COVID-19 situation.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “In view of the Covid situation, I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal. I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies under the current circumstances.”

    He advised all other politicians to think about the consequences of holding large public rallies.

  • Mamata put future of millions of Bengal’s youth at stake to secure nephew’s; playing politics of vengeance: PM Modi

    By ANI
    DAKSHIN DINAJPUR: Attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said she has put the future of millions of youth at stake to secure the future of her ‘Bhaipo’ (nephew).

    Addressing a public meeting at Gangarampur, Prime Minister said, “In the last 10 years, Didi’s government has made old industries shut and forced youths to migrate. Where there is appeasement, there is poverty, there is discrimination and suppression of hope and aspiration. Didi put the future of millions of Bengal’s youth at stake to secure the future of Bhaipo (nephew).”

    “Didi o Didi… Such days would not have to be seen if you had twisted the ears of the tolabaazs (extortionists) who looted the poor people of Bengal and made your favourite bhaipo to do sit-ups,” he said.

    Prime Minister accused Mamata Banerjee of practising appeasement politics.

    ALSO READ | Mahakumbh 2021: After PM Modi’s appeal to keep Kumbh ‘Symbolic’, seers come out in support

    “Appeasement does not lead to better roads, schools-colleges, industry, employment and more. The dilapidated roads in this region, the lack of hospitals and the lack of irrigational facilities is proof enough,” he said.

    He further said, “Mamata Didi hates the names of Maa Ganga and Lord Shri Ram. Her hatred has increased so much that she changed the name ‘Ramdhenu’ to ‘Rongdhenu’. Didi abuses Indians who live on the banks of the Ganges. She insults their faith, food, language and attire.”

    Prime Minister greeted the people of West Bengal for good voter turnouts in the last four phases of the state Assembly elections.

    CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW LIVE ELECTION UPDATES

    “The way the people of Bengal have voted at all stages, I greet the citizens of Bengal by bowing my head. After many decades, they have got the opportunity to vote fearlessly, otherwise, every vote was held amidst hooliganism,” he said.

    ‘Her politics has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance’

    In a separate rally in Asansol, PM Modi also slammed the Chief Minister after an FIR was registered against Banerjee for allegedly provoking an attack on central forces during the fourth phase of polling, which led to the deaths of four people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed her for crossing the limit of vengeance.

    He said, “Her politics isn’t limited to just protests, but it has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance.”

    The complainant, named Siddik Ali Miah, said Banerjee makes various provocational statements through media for the “purpose of breaking peace and tranquility in West Bengal”.

    READ MORE | BJP urges EC to form SIT to probe CM Mamata Banerjee’s purported audiotape on Sitalkuchi firing

    “She hatched up a criminal conspiracy and delivered her speech for provoking the general public, especially the women to launch an attack on the paramilitary forces armed with hand made various weapons and in the consequence of such conspiracy the villagers, especially the Muslim community including women in large numbers launched an attack on the paramilitary forces with hand made various weapons on 10.04.2021at 11 pm at Booth No. 5/126,” he stated in his complaint to inspector in-charge, Mathabhanga police station.

    He further stated that the last four phases of voting have left the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in shatters.

    PM Modi said, “Four rounds of voting, TMC is split into pieces. The remaining four rounds of polling, didi-bhaipo will be eliminated. In the fifth phase of voting, polling is underway where the button with the lotus symbol will be pressed in large numbers to form the BJP government.”

    Voting for the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls began at 7 am on Saturday amid tight security.

    Polling is underway in a total of 45 constituencies covering the districts of Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and a segment of Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman in the fifth phase. A total of 319 candidates, including 39 women are in the fray in Phase-V.

    There are 15,789 polling stations designated for this phase. The security for this phase has been beefed up with the deployment of 1,071 companies of central forces for ensuring a peaceful election.

    The voting for the sixth phase will be held on April 22.

  • Mamata audiotape row: TMC moves EC, says BJP illegally tapped CM’s phone

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress on Saturday moved the Election Commission over the issue of the purported audiotape of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee that the BJP released on Friday accusing her of doing politics over the bodies of Cooch Behar firing victims.

    BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya released the tape in a press conference on Friday in which Mamata is heard interacting with TMC’s Sitalkuchi candidate Partha Pratim Ray. The BJP alleged Mamata instructed Ray not to hand over the victims’ bodies to their families as she would organise a rally with it.

    The delegation of the party also requested the Commission to take necessary action to prosecute the persons in the BJP responsible.

    ALSO READ | WB elections: My phone is being tapped, will order CID probe, says Mamata Banerjee

    In the complaint letter, the TMC alleged that it is unprecedented that a Chief Minister’s phone was intercepted at BJP’s behest and one day before the polling.

    “In the said conference, it has been alleged that in the aftermath of the CISF firing incident at Sitalkuchi, Smt Mamata Banerjee has a conversation with Partha Pratim Ray. The BJP has not only illegally recorded and/or caused it to be recorded, but also played it at the press conference out of context. The entire exercise by the BJP is an illegal act and is a direct assault on legal rights, including the right to privacy of Smt Mamata Banerjee and Partha Pratim Ray,” the letter reads.

    The TMC alleged that the release of the audiotape containing Mamata’s conversation is a violation of the Constitution, Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Information Technology Act, 2000, and Indian Penal Code, 1860.

  • Bengal polls: Didi indifferent to people’s health, skips Covid meetings, says Modi 

    Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is not concerned about people’s healthcare as she skipped the last two meetings convened in the wake of the second wave of the Covid pandemic.

    “I held two meetings with the chief ministers. But she did not attend. She is not concerned about people’s healthcare in Bengal in the wake of the Covid pandemic,” Modi said while addressing a poll rally in Asansol.

    Modi also attacked Mamata for politicising the Cooch Behar firing incident a day after the leak of her audiotape in which she is allegedly heard proposing a rally with the victims’ dead bodies.

    “An audio tape has come out which shows how Didi (Mamata) is doing politics over it. Didi is asking to take out a procession with dead bodies. She is doing politics over the bodies of the Cooch Behar victims,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Mamata put future of millions of Bengal’s youth at stake to secure nephew’s; playing politics of vengence: PM Modi

    In the audio clip, Mamata is purportedly heard instructing TMC candidate in Sitalkuchi Partha Pratim Ray not to release the bodies as she would organise a procession with it. She was also heard instructing Ray to engage professional lawyers before lodging an FIR.

    Modi also castigated Mamata citing her speech and alleging that the Bengal CM used such words while attacking him which doesn’t befit Bengal’s culture.

    “She made a comment on my growing beard and said something was wrong with my head. She labelled me as a superman and accused me of instigating communal discord. The language she used to attack a Prime Minister doesn’t befit to Bengal’s culture,” the PM said.     

    Modi, in his speech, reminded of the communal clash that took place in Asansol after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. “Hundreds of properties were destroyed in the incident. Who was in support of the people responsible for the riots in Asansol?” asked Modi without naming Mamata.

    Recalling the 2018 panchayat elections, the PM accused TMC of insulting India’s democracy by depriving people to contest and exercise their franchise. “The people of Bengal have not forgotten how candidates of opposition parties were not allowed to submit nominations in one-third seats in the rural polls. Even, the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the TMC’s atrocities in the panchayat elections,” he added.

  • Mamata put future of millions of Bengal’s youth at stake to secure nephew’s; playing politics of vengence: PM Modi

    By ANI
    DAKSHIN DINAJPUR: Attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said she has put the future of millions of youth at stake to secure the future of her ‘Bhaipo’ (nephew).

    Addressing a public meeting at Gangarampur, Prime Minister said, “In the last 10 years, Didi’s government has made old industries shut and forced youths to migrate. Where there is appeasement, there is poverty, there is discrimination and suppression of hope and aspiration. Didi put the future of millions of Bengal’s youth at stake to secure the future of Bhaipo (nephew).”

    “Didi o Didi… Such days would not have to be seen if you had twisted the ears of the tolabaazs (extortionists) who looted the poor people of Bengal and made your favourite bhaipo to do sit-ups,” he said.

    Prime Minister accused Mamata Banerjee of practising appeasement politics.

    ALSO READ | Mahakumbh 2021: After PM Modi’s appeal to keep Kumbh ‘Symbolic’, seers come out in support

    “Appeasement does not lead to better roads, schools-colleges, industry, employment and more. The dilapidated roads in this region, the lack of hospitals and the lack of irrigational facilities is proof enough,” he said.

    He further said, “Mamata Didi hates the names of Maa Ganga and Lord Shri Ram. Her hatred has increased so much that she changed the name ‘Ramdhenu’ to ‘Rongdhenu’. Didi abuses Indians who live on the banks of the Ganges. She insults their faith, food, language and attire.”

    Prime Minister greeted the people of West Bengal for good voter turnouts in the last four phases of the state Assembly elections.

    CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW LIVE ELECTION UPDATES

    “The way the people of Bengal have voted at all stages, I greet the citizens of Bengal by bowing my head. After many decades, they have got the opportunity to vote fearlessly, otherwise, every vote was held amidst hooliganism,” he said.

    ‘Her politics has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance’

    In a separate rally in Asansol, PM Modi also slammed the Chief Minister after an FIR was registered against Banerjee for allegedly provoking an attack on central forces during the fourth phase of polling, which led to the deaths of four people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed her for crossing the limit of vengeance.

    He said, “Her politics isn’t limited to just protests, but it has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance.”

    The complainant, named Siddik Ali Miah, said Banerjee makes various provocational statements through media for the “purpose of breaking peace and tranquility in West Bengal”.

    READ MORE | BJP urges EC to form SIT to probe CM Mamata Banerjee’s purported audiotape on Sitalkuchi firing

    “She hatched up a criminal conspiracy and delivered her speech for provoking the general public, especially the women to launch an attack on the paramilitary forces armed with hand made various weapons and in the consequence of such conspiracy the villagers, especially the Muslim community including women in large numbers launched an attack on the paramilitary forces with hand made various weapons on 10.04.2021at 11 pm at Booth No. 5/126,” he stated in his complaint to inspector in-charge, Mathabhanga police station.

    He further stated that the last four phases of voting have left the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in shatters.

    PM Modi said, “Four rounds of voting, TMC is split into pieces. The remaining four rounds of polling, didi-bhaipo will be eliminated. In the fifth phase of voting, polling is underway where the button with the lotus symbol will be pressed in large numbers to form the BJP government.”

    Voting for the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls began at 7 am on Saturday amid tight security.

    Polling is underway in a total of 45 constituencies covering the districts of Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and a segment of Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman in the fifth phase. A total of 319 candidates, including 39 women are in the fray in Phase-V.

    There are 15,789 polling stations designated for this phase. The security for this phase has been beefed up with the deployment of 1,071 companies of central forces for ensuring a peaceful election.

    The voting for the sixth phase will be held on April 22.

  • BJP urges EC to form SIT to probe CM Mamata Banerjee’s purported audiotape on Sitalkuchi firing

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met the Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata requesting the Commission to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for probing the purported audiotape of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in which she can be heard telling the TMC candidate from the Sitalkuchi constituency to hold protests with bodies of the four killed in Cooch Behar violence.

    “As far as the authenticity of the tape is concerned, Derek O’Brien and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy confirmed it in a conversation with the media. The only goal of the tape was to create further polarisation,” BJP leader Shishir Bajoria told mediapersons after meeting Election Commission officials in Kolkata.

    “It is requested that the Commission may examine the issue immediately and constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for carrying out a detailed investigation in this regard,” reads the BJP’s letter to EC.

    CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW LIVE ELECTION UPDATES

    Just a day before the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP on Friday released an audiotape, in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can be purportedly heard telling the TMC candidate from the Sitalkuchi constituency Partha Pratim Ray to hold protests with bodies of the four killed in firing by security forces in the fourth phase polling on April 10.

    Violence erupted at a polling booth in Cooch Behar during the fourth round of polling on April 10. The ruling TMC alleged that central forces opened fire twice at polling booths in Cooch Behar where people are casting their votes, killing four people.

    READ MORE HERE | Mamata’s purported conversation with Trinamool nominee after Sitalkuchi firing stirs row

    Following the incident, the EC ordered the adjournment of the poll in PS 126 of Sitalkurchi AC, Cooch Behar based on an interim report from Special Observers. Since the incident, the Election Commission has barred the entry of any political leader in the Cooch Behar district for the next 72 hours.

    Voting for the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls began at 7 am on Saturday amid tight security.

    Polling is underway in a total of 45 constituencies covering the districts of Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and a segment of Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Bardhaman in the fifth phase. A total of 319 candidates, including 39 women are in the fray in Phase-V.

    There are 15,789 polling stations designated for this phase. The security for this phase has been beefed up with the deployment of 1,071 companies of central forces for ensuring a peaceful election.

    The voting for the sixth phase will be held on April 22.