Page 5 - West Bengal Assembly Polls

Campaigning ends for final phase of Bengal polls amid voter roll concerns

Shah says central forces to be deployed for 60 days more

Central forces to stay in Bengal for 7 more days after polls: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that central forces would remain deployed in West Bengal for at least seven more days after the elections, even if the BJP comes to power and urged voters to cast their votes without fear. Shah was addressing a gathering after leading a road show at Behala, where people will vote in the second and final phase on April 29. "Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about the goons. The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power, central forces will remain here for seven days," he said. The roadshow was held on the final day of campaigning in support of the BJP candidates for Behala Purba and Behala Paschim, turning the south Kolkata neighbourhood into a sea of saffron. Standing atop an open-hood vehicle, Shah waved at supporters and showered flower petals on crowds lining both sides of the road. Thousands of BJP workers and supporters, .

Bengal polls: Jute crisis, law and order key issues in North 24 Parganas

Industrial distress and precarious law and order situation in the jute hub of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal dominate the poll agenda in the cosmopolitan Noapara, Bhatpara and Barrackpore assembly constituencies, where the feud between BJP leader Arjun Singh and his associate-turned-rival TMC MP Partha Bhowmick writs large. Singh, a former BJP MP of Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat, is contesting from Noapara, promising to resolve the jute crisis affecting the mills in the region. He is taking on TMC's Trinankur Bhattacharjee, who replaces veteran party leader and sitting MLA Manju Basu in Noapara. While the TMC won Barrackpore and Noapara in the previous polls, the BJP won Bhatpara in the 2019 bypoll and the 2021 elections. The BJP has renominated Arjun's son, Pawan Singh, from Bhatpara. A centre of Sanskrit learning in medieval and pre-modern Bengal, Bhatpara has now become infamous for turf wars and deadly clashes that keep the residents on tenterhooks. Bhowmick and Arjun .

Tight fiscal space leaves limited room for poll promises in West Bengal

West Bengal's fiscal deficit and debt remain elevated, while economic and social outcomes present a mixed picture

How Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule stacks up on welfare, investment

Under TMC, Bengal has seen expansion of welfare, but not big-ticket private investment

BJP committed to women's security, fielded Patra, RG Kar victim's kin: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the TMC of "sheltering goons who torture women", and said the BJP giving poll tickets to Sandeshkhali's Rekha Patra and the mother of the R G Kar victim is proof of the party's commitment to ensuring women's security. Speaking at the Matua community citadel of Thakurnagar at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district, Modi also said all refugees who took shelter in India following religious persecution in the neighbouring nation will be granted citizenship through procedures outlined under the Citizenship Amendment Act. Referring to the record turnout of over 93 per cent in the first phase of polls, Modi said, "The TMC's arrogance was shattered in the first round, the second phase will cement BJP's victory in the state." The PM alluded to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's pre-Independence slogan of 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom', to urge the people to vote for the BJP, "and I will give you freedom from TMC's 'maha jungleraj'". "The

BJP will end 'goonda raj', 'syndicate raj' if it comes to power in WB: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the BJP will end "goonda raj" and "syndicate raj" in West Bengal if the party comes to power in the state. Addressing a public rally at Tehatta in Nadia district, Shah also claimed that voters "wiped out" the Mamata Banerjee government in the first phase of the assembly polls itself. "The BJP has already won 110 seats in the first phase of polls held on April 23," he said. "There will be an end to 'goonda raj' and 'syndicate raj' in West Bengal if the BJP assumes power in the state. Do not be afraid to step out and cast your votes, as the Election Commission has made ample arrangements. Nobody will be able to stop you from voting," Shah said. He said if the BJP is voted to power, it would identify "infiltrators hiding in the state" and take necessary action against them. The senior BJP leader had to cut short his speech because of sudden heavy rainfall despite a large gathering at the venue.

Record 93.19% turnout in first phase of West Bengal Assembly polls: EC

The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 93.19 per cent, the highest ever in the state, the Election Commission said on Saturday. Polling for the first phase was held on April 23 across 152 assembly segments in 16 districts, and 3.36 crore of the total 3.61 crore voters exercised their franchise, it said. Of those who voted, 1.65 crore were women and 1.71 crore were men, it added. The highest turnout was recorded in Cooch Behar district at 96.2 per cent, followed by Dakshin Dinajpur at 95.44 per cent and Malda at 94.79 per cent. Jalpaiguri recorded a turnout of 94.76 per cent, Birbhum of 94.51 per cent and Uttar Dinajpur of 94.16 per cent. Murshidabad registered 93.67 per cent turnout, Alipurduar 93.2 per cent, Purba Medinipur 92.75 per cent, Bankura 92.55 per cent, Jhargram 92.26 per cent, Paschim Medinipur 92.19 per cent, and Purulia 91.59 per cent. Paschim Bardhaman registered a 90.32 per cent turnout. Darjeeling recorded 88.98 per cent

Entire Union cabinet, 19 CMs won't help BJP win Bengal polls: Mamata

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the BJP has deployed its entire machinery to defeat the regional party in the West Bengal assembly elections as almost the entire Union cabinet and CMs of NDA-ruled states are camping in the poll-bound state. Addressing an election rally at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee accused the BJP of giving false promises to migrant workers from West Bengal employed outside the state. "The BJP is desperate, with 50 helicopters flying into West Bengal as almost the entire Union cabinet, from the PM to home, railway and defence ministers, as well as CMs of 19 NDA-ruled states camping in a single state West Bengal," the chief minister said. Compare this with only three helicopters being used by the TMC to campaign across the state. But all this hype and sound and fury will end in a whimper on May 4, she said. "On top of this, we are seeing central forces wherever we are going. They are bringing in armoured vehicles which are not put to

BJP has swept Bengal Phase 1 polls, will implement CAA if it wins: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the BJP virtually sealed its victory in phase 1 of the West Bengal assembly polls itself, claiming the party would win 110 seats in the first leg of polling and promising swift implementation of the CAA, a crackdown on infiltration, and a "fear-free" Bengal for women after coming to power. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Jamalpur of Purba Bardhaman district and Shyampur in Howrah, Shah sharpened the BJP's campaign around three of its core Bengal planks-the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for the Matua community, women's safety, and alleged infiltration from Bangladesh-while projecting the election as a battle to end Mamata Banerjee's rule. "Voting for the first phase is over. In the very first phase itself, the BJP will win 110 seats, and Didi (Mamata Banerjee) will be thrown out of power. Instead of TMC, BJP will form the government here," he said. Polling was held in 152 of the 294 assembly constituencies on April 23 and ...

18 years since TaMo exit, Singur battles derelict land, political legacy

On the edge of Singur, one of Bengal's most politically loaded landscapes, men dig through the earth for rusted iron rods -- remnants of the abandoned Tata Motors Nano factory -- to be sold as scrap. In 2008, Tata Motors abandoned plans to set up a small-car factory here amid relentless protests. The exit has caused a seismic shift in the state's political landscape, unseating the Left Front and propelling Mamata Banerjee to power. Eighteen years on, that decision by Tata Motors still haunts Singur as it remains trapped between two ruins -- farmland that no longer yields as before and a factory that never came up. "Neither agriculture happened, nor did industry," says 93-year-old former TMC MLA Rabindranath Bhattacharya, known here simply as 'Mastermoshai', which roughly translates to respected teacher. He was one of the prominent leaders during the Singur movement. In 2006, the then Left Front government acquired around 1,000 acres here for Tata Motors' small-car project. TMC supr

EC orders suspension of 5 police officers over 'misconduct' during WB polls

The Election Commission has directed the West Bengal government to suspend five police officials in Diamond Harbour and initiate disciplinary action against them, for "serious misconduct" and allegedly failing to maintain neutrality during the assembly polls, officials said on Saturday. In a communication to the state chief secretary, the poll panel said the action followed a report submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal about the conduct of police personnel. The officers to be suspended are Additional Superintendent of Police Sandip Garai, SDPO Sajal Mondal, Diamond Harbour police station's inspector-in-charge Mausam Chakraborty, Falta police station inspector-in-charge Ajay Bag and Usthi police station officer-in-charge Subhechha Bag. "After considering the facts and circumstances of the matter, the commission directs that these officers may be suspended forthwith and disciplinary proceedings be initiated for their serious misconduct and failure to maintain

No repoll recommended in any polling stations of Tamil Nadu, Bengal: EC

The EC on Friday said no repoll has been recommended in any of the 44,376 polling stations in West Bengal where voting was held during the first phase on April 23, indicating largely peaceful conduct of the exercise. According to a senior Election Commission official, the polling process was completed without any major disruption that would warrant fresh voting at any booth. "No repoll has been recommended in any of the 44,376 polling stations of West Bengal where polls were held on Thursday," the official told PTI. The Commission said reports received from the ground did not flag any significant irregularities affecting the integrity of the voting process. The official added that standard scrutiny mechanisms, including inputs from observers and field reports, were carefully reviewed before arriving at the decision. The first phase of polling in the state covered 152 constituencies across 16 districts, achieving a record 92.6 per cent of voter turnout amid the deployment of centra

As the left fades from Bengal's landscape, BJP makes a fervent pitch

In West Bengal, the Left is in a dead heat with the Congress for the wooden spoon; Maoism in the tribal heartland has been entombed; and in Kerala, the Left fights double incumbency

Best of BS Opinion: India must pursue delimitation, devolution of powers

Today's BS Opinion wrap examines delimitation and federal balance, the BJP's Andhra Pradesh dilemma, shifts in Bengal politics, and Infosys's bet on sport-led branding

'Anga, Vanga, Kalinga' will have BJP govts next month, says Amit Shah

Asserting that people voted with enthusiasm for a change in the first phase of the assembly elections here, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga', the ancient kingdoms that are present-day Assam, Bengal and Odisha, will have a BJP government next month. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the BJP will secure an absolute majority in the assembly elections, and bag more than 110 of the 152 seats that went to the polls in the first phase on Thursday. "People of Bengal broke all records in the first phase and voted with enthusiasm for a change," he said, referring to the over 92 per cent turnout. "I thank the Election Commission and security forces for ensuring no deaths during the first phase polls," he said, noting that 1,278 people were injured in the 2016 assembly elections, and 1,681 in 2021. Claiming that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC's exit is imminent, Shah, who is camping in the state, said the BJP will form a government with an .

EC issues fresh post-poll guidelines for Bengal assembly elections

The Election Commission issued a fresh set of post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal assembly elections, laying down strict protocols for handling surveillance cameras and video data after voting concludes, a senior official said. Under the new guidelines issued on Thursday, SD cards used in polling booth cameras cannot be removed immediately after voting ends, and officials concerned will only be permitted to dismount the cameras, which must then remain under the sector officer's supervision, he said. "The SD cards can be removed only at the designated data collection and receiving centre in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer," he said. All video footage captured during polling must be securely and systematically preserved, the election official said. "No member of the polling party or Booth Level Officer (BLO) can leave the polling station until the camera equipment has been fully dismounted," he said. Meanwhile, a trial run of webcasting for the second phase of .

Assembly election in Bengal sees nearly 92% turnout, over 84% voting in TN

West Bengal registered a record voter turnout of nearly 92 per cent in the first phase of assembly polls on Thursday amid sporadic incidents of violence, while Tamil Nadu recorded unprecedented voting of over 84 per cent as the BJP pushed to unseat Mamata Banerjee in Bengal and expand in the South. In the first phase, 152 constituencies in West Bengal went to polls,while voting for the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly was held in one go. The elections are taking place against the backdrop of a massive political row over the SIR of the electoral rolls, a major flashpoint between the BJP and opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In West Bengal, the BJP is eyeing to wrest power fromBanerjee-led TMC, which seeks a fourth straight term in a state the saffron partyhas never governed, and in Tamil Nadu, key contenders are the ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK, while actor-politician Vijay-led TVK and Tamil nationalist Seeman-led NTK are putting up a determined ...

Tamil Nadu, Bengal see highest voter turnout since Independence: EC

Record turnout in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal polls; Election Commission of India hails voters as participation hits historic highs since Independence

Tamil Nadu registers 56.81% turnout, West Bengal sees 62.18% till 1 pm

In West Bengal, Paschim Mednipur district recorded a high turnout of 65.77 per cent followed by Jhargam at 65.31 per cent and Bankura at 64.58