Sporadic violence marked the polling of the sixth phase of West Bengal assembly elections leaving at least six injured after bombs were hurled in North 24 Parganas district's Titagarh.
With a voter turnout of around 80 percent, a total of 43 seats went to the polls in this phase to decide the fate of 306 candidates in the fray.
The prime focus this time was on the minority Matua community, who are crucial to the electoral success of any party that comes to power in Bengal.
Seventeen seats in the North 24 Parganas district and nine seats in Nadia -- most of which has a significant presence of the Matuas witnessed high-level polling on Thursday.
Elections were also held in the nine seats in Uttar Dinajpur district and eight in Purba Bardhaman.
Meanwhile, PM Modi also cancelled his campaigning in Bengal on April 23 amid the escalating coronavirus situation in the country.
After this, no further meetings of his are scheduled in the poll-bound state, thus effectively concluding his rallies there for now.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly are being held in eight phases, starting on March 27.
Votes will be counted on May 2 with the last phase scheduled to be held on April 29.
At least six persons, including a child, sustained splinter injuries in North 24 Parganas district's Titagarh assembly constituency after bombs were hurled indiscriminately on Thursday afternoon amid the voting exercise for the sixth phase of polls, a police officer said.
Amit Shah Thursday sought to punch a hole in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's oft-repeated insider-outsider narative, alleging that her "vote bank of illegal immigrants", on whose support she wants to rule the state, were the actual outsiders. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)
70.42 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in 43 seats where polling is underway in sixth phase.
TMC activists had alleged two party activists were injured after they were hit by bullets fired by central forces outside booth number 79 in Ashok Nagar's Tangra area on Thursday when a few party members protested against a visit by BJP candidate for the seat, Tanuja Chakraborty. (CLICK HERE TO READ FULL REPORT)
Amid election heat between the TMC and BJP, CM Mamata Banerjee also lashed at the centre over the disparity in the price of vaccines being supplied to the Union government, states and private hospitals. She said rates should be the same for every buyer. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
In Uttar Dinajpur's Chopra area, shots were reportedly fired after clashes broke out between activists of the TMC and the BJP over allegations of heckling by agents of a polling booth. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Another clash between BJP and Trinamool supporters at Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas. In Bijpur constituency, TMC worker Madhab Das was stabbed by alleged BJP supporters.
Bombs hurled at Ketugram, East Burdwan as clashes break out between Trinamool and BJP supporters. One saffron party activist received injuries on his head.
17.19 per cent voter turnout recorded till 9 am in 43 seats.
In a letter addressed to the heads of all recognised political parties, the EC referred to the high court directions issued on Tuesday, which said it would be open to the poll panel and the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to take the requisite steps and ensure a successful implementation of the COVID protocols by requiring a strict compliance of the prescribed guidelines and orders by all political parties, candidates and all other concerned with the election process. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Voting is underway at booth number 134 - at Raiganj Coronation High School - in Uttar Dinajpur. The voting could not begin on time here at 7 am, due to technical issues.