Assembly Elections 2021: 73.03 per cent polling registered in Assam, 80.43 per cent in Bengal, says EC

While Assam largely witnessed a peaceful second phase, polling in West Bengal was marked by sporadic violence.
CM Mamata at a polling station during 2nd phase of Assembly Polls, at Boyal; Tribal women show their inked fingers during the 2nd phase of Assam assembly polls in Morigaon district. (Photos | PTI)
CM Mamata at a polling station during 2nd phase of Assembly Polls, at Boyal; Tribal women show their inked fingers during the 2nd phase of Assam assembly polls in Morigaon district. (Photos | PTI)

Amid reports of sporadic violence, vandalism and minor clashes, phase two of the assembly election in West Bengal and Assam concluded on Thursday evening.

At 5.30 PM, Assam had registered 72.65% votes and 79.53% polling was recorded in West Bengal.

While Assam largely witnessed a peaceful second phase, polling in West Bengal was marked by sporadic violence with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slamming the Election Commission over inaction to complaints filed by her party.

Sporadic violence and minor clashes were reported from various constituencies, including the high profile Nandigram, where chief minister Mamata Banerjee is locked in a high-stakes electoral battle with her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari now with the BJP. Amongst the complaints were allegations of "booth capturing" and massive fake voting in Boyal.

The situation in Assam was peaceful with a significant number of voters turning up during the morning hours to exercise their franchise in the 39 seats where voting was underway in the second phase on Thursday.

There were reports of EVM glitches from some polling stations and upon their immediate replacement voting continued uninterrupted, an election official said.

(With PTI inputs)

Final turnout for phase 2

73.03% and 80.43% voter turnout recorded till 6 pm in the second phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal, respectively: Election Commission of India

Mamata has lost the poll: Suvendu Adhikari

Voter turnout at 5.30 PM

72.65% polling in Assam, 79.53% polling in West Bengal, till 5:22 pm: Election Commission of India

90% votes will go to TMC: Mamata

Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win. In Nandigram, 90% of the votes will go to TMC: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Mamata winning Nandigram comfortably: TMC sources

The question of Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal CM) fighting from any other seat does not arise. She is winning Nandigram comfortably: TMC sources

EC seeks report over violence during polling in Bengal's Nandigram

The Election Commission of India on Thursday sought a detailed report from the administration in connection with an incident of violence in Boyal area in Nandigram where Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to oversee the polling process.

Mamata accuses Shah of instructing EC to help BJP

Mamata left the booth where she was sitting and before leaving, she said the Union Home minister instructed the EC and central force to help BJP. "I never saw such bad election. My humble request to the EC not to act like this in the next phases of the election," she said.

Ruckus at polling booth in Debra

Poll violence

Some people weren't allowed to vote. They were beaten up & made to leave. Those who weren't allowed to vote blocked my way & narrated their ordeal. That's why I called election agent here. Unnecessary havoc being created so that I get stuck: Bharti Ghosh, BJP candidate from Debra

Polling turnout at 3.31 PM

63.03% polling in Assam, 71.07% polling in West Bengal, till 3:31 pm: Election Commission of India

Why angry Didi, ask BJP supporters

'BJP will win over 200 seats': PM Modi exudes confidence

BJP wave blowing across West Bengal, party will win over 200 seats. Mamata Banerjee will have to account for the deaths of brothers, sisters and sons of Bengal. : PM Narendra Modi at election rally

Goons from other states creating ruckus here: Mamata

Have lodged 63 poll-related complaints since morning, no action by EC. We will move court as EC not taking action. Goons from other states creating ruckus here: Mamata in Nandigram

Violence at polling booths

Sitting outside a polling booth, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is alleging that false votes are being cast. Tension likely to increase as both CPI(M) and BJP supporters have started gathering at the same spot.

Nandigram poll update

Mamata Banerjee left her home in Nandigram to visit a polling booth at Boyal from where complaints of not allowing TMC booth agents were being filed. Nandigram has recorded 56 per cent poll till 1 PM.

The chief minister called Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar from the booth she is visiting.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan slams Mamata Banerjee over poll violence

Phase 2 turnout till 1 PM

58 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm in 30 seats of West Bengal where polling is underway for second phase.

Bodoland People's Front candidate goes missing, Congress demands EC probe

Congress-led Mahajot candidate from Tamulpur constituency, Rangja Basumatary (Bodoland People's Front ) was made to disappear. Assam govt's & BJP's responsibility to answer where he is. Demand from EC that a probe should be done in this matter: Manish Tewari, Congress in Guwahati

Assam polls phase two: Voter turnout nears 50 per cent

48.26 per cent votes have been cast till 1 pm, as per the latest Election Commission data.

Update from Keshpur

Vehicle of BJP candidate in Keshpur ransacked. Along with that four media vehicles were vandalized too. (Photo | EPS)
Vehicle of BJP candidate in Keshpur ransacked. Along with that four media vehicles were vandalized too. (Photo | EPS)

WATCH | Mamata arrives at a Nandigram polling booth

Screenshot of the mail sent by Trinamool to EC over alleged booth capturing in Nandigram

Himanta Biswa Sharma faces EC heat

EC asks the Assam Minister for explanation by 2nd April over his statement at a rally regarding which Congress had complained to EC that he "openly threatened Hagrama Mohilary, Bodoland People's Front Chairperson and INC ally of sending him to jail by misuing Central Agency".

Assam polls: First time voters cast their franchises

New voters in Mangaldoi Election District. (Photo | EPS)
New voters in Mangaldoi Election District. (Photo | EPS)

TMC's Derek O Brien writes to EC alleging booth capture by BJP workers in Nandigram

"Huge mob of BJP workers have entered booth no.s 6,7,49,27,162,21,26,13,262,256,163,20. BJP workers attempting to take control of EVM and rigging the booth," he wrote.

'TMC cancer' at last stage, says BJP candidate Hiron Chatterjee

  • Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency, Hiron Chatterjee said the 'TMC (Trinamool Congress) cancer' is at the 'last stage'.
  • Speaking to ANI, Chatterjee said: "People of Kharagpur Sadar want 'parivartan' change in Bengal. The area has gone back 100 years, they want to reverse that. I am fighting on behalf of them."
  • He further said the people of Kharagpur have been experiencing atrocities for the last 70 years, adding that the citizens wanted to get rid of false statements, looting, terrorism and repeated threats.
  • "A large number of people have come out to cast their vote today to ensure BJP's victory. They want to bring BJP in West Bengal so they can introduce change in the state and Kharagpur Sadar," he said.
  • Chatterjee further mentioned that one of his first tasks post-victory would be to create a super-specialty hospital and reduce pollution in his constituency.
  • "There is no woman's college or a college for our Telugu brothers in the area. We have to create them. There is also no availability of drinking water. We also have to transform mudhouses into pucca houses under the PM Awas Yojana scheme. Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons have damaged a lot of houses in the area, we have to repair them," he added.
  • The BJP candidate exclaimed the 'TMC cancer' is at the last stage. He also alleged that the TMC workers distributed liquor last evening and feasted people openly for votes.
  • "When I came here in Kharagpur, I was denied to have a house. I got a hotel in Kharagpur rural area where voting has already have happened. Police search extensively there as if some criminal is there at the hotel. Every room was searched. I was not allowed to go out in the area TMC workers distributed liquor last evening and feasted people openly for votes. They threatened them to vote. But people will refuse them," he added.
  • Media vehicle attacked at Nandigram

    Bengal witnesses close to 38% polling till 11 am, skirmishes reported in Nandigram

    The entire Nandigram constituency where chief minister Mamata Benrjee is locked in a high-stakes electoral battle with her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari now with the BJP, has been placed under Section 144, to avoid any untoward incident. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Mahua Moitra alleges over 150 EVMs malfunctioned in Bengal phase II polls

  • The Trinamool MP on Thursday alleged that over 150 Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are malfunctioning since the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began on Thursday.
  • Taking to Twitter, she made a snide remark towards the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying that it could have put half as much effort into ensuring no EVM glitches as it did into transferring police officials.
  • "More than 150 EVM machines malfunctioning since Phase II voting started this morning Wish @ECISVEEP had put half as much effort into ensuring no EVM glitches as it did into transferring police officials," tweeted Moitra.
  • 'People in Assam have shown Congress-led alliance red card': PM lashes out at Opposition

    "People of Assam have given their blessings to the NDA in first phase of assembly poll. Football is a popular sport in Assam. In football parlance, the people of Assam have shown the Congress-led alliance the red card," he said addressing an election rally at Bijni in Kokrajhar. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Bengal polls: More inputs on voter turnout in second phase so far

    According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Paschim Medinipur recorded the highest turnout among districts and Narayangarh recorded the highest turnout among constituencies.

    Congress leader Sushmita Dev casts her vote in Assam's Silchar

    Latest data on Assam's polling figures

    27.45 per cent of 73.45 lakh voters exercise their franchise till 11 am in 39 assembly seats where polling is underway for second phase.

    More updates on the Ghatal ruckus

  • Workers and supporters of the CPM staged a protest in the Ghatal area of Paschim Medinipur on Thursday, alleging that they were being stopped by TMC while they were on their way to vote.
  • The CPI (M) workers blocked the roads and burnt tyres, even as polling for the second phase of state assembly elections was underway.
  • Security forces later reached the spot and removed the road blockade.
  • Close to 38% turnout in second phase of Bengal polls: EC

    37.42 per cent voter turnout recorded till 11 am in 30 seats where polling is underway for second phase.

    BJP leader detained in Bengal for coming within 100 metres of pooling booth

  • Police on Thursday said it has detained a local BJP leader for allegedly coming within 100 metres of a pooling booth here.
  • Mohan Singh, Dakshin Mandal Sabhapati of the BJP, however, claimed that he was called there by saffron party candidate Bharati Ghosh. Ghosh, a former IPS officer, alleged that TMC workers beat up Singh and chased him away.
  • "I have complained to the presiding officer that our party agents are not being allowed to sit at the polling booths. TMC activists are intimidating our agents," she said.
  • Meanwhile, some BJP activists blocked roads when Singh was being taken to the nearest police station, officials said.
  • In the Debra seat, where polling is underway in the second phase, two former IPS officers are crossing swords -- BJP's Bharati Ghosh and ruling TMC's Humayun Kabir.
  • Situation peaceful in Nandigram so far: Suvendu Adhikari

    A BJP worker was beaten up in Samsabad's Kanchan Nagar area today...One Amirul behind the death by hanging of a BJP worker in Maheshnagar, Nandigram. The police is taking action. The overall situation today is peaceful, said the BJP leader.

    IN PICS | E-Ricksaw for 60+ voters in Assam

    Latest polling figures from Bengal and Assam

    21.71% and 29.27% voter turnout recorded till 11.17 am in the second phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal, respectively: Election Commission of India.

    Tension in Nandigram after BJP worker found hanging at home

    Uday Dubey was under tremendous stress as he was receiving threats from the TMC after he attended a roadshow of superstar Mithun Chakraborty who campaigned in the area in support of BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari on March 30, BJP leaders alleged. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    IN PICS | Model polling stations at Assam

    Update from Haldia

    In Haldia Nagar Mondal 3, There are complaints about voters being forced to vote for Trinamool in Booth Number 240 and 241 at Ward Number 28.

    Battleground Nandigram: Mamata to stay for whole day, TMC complains agents not allowed in several booths

    There have been no reports of violence or clashes among political activists in the constituency, barring an incident in the Bhimkata area in Nandigram where the BJP candidate faced an agitation by a group of TMC workers who shouted slogans against him, an Election Commission official said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Assam polls: Women turn out in large numbers in morning hours, overall situation peaceful

    Though there were reports of EVM glitches from some polling stations, the exact figure was yet to be ascertained, an official said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Trinamool approaches EC over alleged booth capturing at Nandigram

  • Trinamool complained to Election Commission on Thursday that Bimal Sahu, the ruling party's booth agent, has been kept confined in his house and his family has been threatened by BJP workers in Boyal, Nandigram.
  • His family has also been told by the saffron party workers to not vote. In booth number 6 and 7 in Boyal, BJP goons are allegedly threatening Trinamool's polling agents and preventing them from entering booths.
  • The issue was raised in the morning and has been escalated multiple times to SP and returning officer but no action has been taken yet, the party alleged.
  • Writer, painter, indomitable fighter Mamata Banerjee faces her biggest political challenge at Nandigram

    Striving to prove that "Bangla nijer meyekei chaye" (Bengal wants its own daughter), she continues her stride in the political spectrum of the nation that began in 1975 making the headlines by dancing on the car of the most influential leaders of that time Jayaprakash Narayan as a mark of protest. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Assam polls: Badruddin Ajmal casts his vote

    Bengal polls: What exactly are BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh's allegations?

  • Former police officer and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Debra constituency Bharati Ghosh on Thursday alleged that her polling agent was not being allowed to enter a polling booth in Nowpara area by goons from Trinamool Congress (TMC) during the second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal.
  • Speaking to the media, Ghosh said: "In Nowpara, booth 22, Anchal-I, my polling agent has been surrounded by 150 goons of TMC. He has not been allowed to enter the polling booth and this drama has been going on for the last 1.5 hours."
  • "In Barunia, voters are getting threatened. They are getting threatened before entering the booth. We are receiving sporadic reports from other booths as well," she added.
  • The BJP candidate also called on the Election Commission (EC) to take strong action against the culprits. "'Parivartan' (change) will happen by 200 per cent," she remarked.
  • Now, CPM workers stopped from casting their votes

    CPIM workers agitated at Ghatal today, alleged that they were being stopped by TMC workers as they were on their way to cast their vote Later, security forces reached the spot and removed the road blockade

    BJP leader detained by Bengal cops

    Police detain Mohan Singh, BJP's Mandal President of Debra. This comes after a ruckus erupted near a booth in the constituency today as polling is underway in the second phase of assembly elections.

    Ruckus in Keshpur, Debra

  • BJP polling agent at booth number 173 in Keshpur beaten up allegedly by TMC workers. The polling agent has been rushed to a hospital. BJP leader Tanmay Ghosh's car vandalised.
  • Ruckus near a polling booth in Debra, security forces present.
  • Voters say, "Parties called goons from outside. We're locals, why will we create unrest? Candidate brought people here, she (BJP's Bharati Ghosh) wants to create issue."
  • Election Commission on polling percentages in Bengal, Assam

    10.51 per cent and 13.14 per cent voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the second phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal, respectively.

    Mamata will lose at Nandigram, claims Suvendu after casting vote

    "I have a very old relationship with the people of the area. I have a personal relationship with almost every person in Nandigram. Pretty confident that I will win the election," Adhikari said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    BJP will form government in Assam with more than 75 seats: Rajen Gohain

    "BJP will get over 35 seats out of the total 47 in the first phase. In the second phase too, we'll get many seats. BJP will undoubtedly form the government with more than 75 seats," said the former MoS Railways and senior BJP leader after casting his vote at a polling booth in Nagaon.

    Bengal: Kharagpur's BJP candidate makes his priority list clear

    Amit Shah appeals to people of Bengal, Assam to vote in large numbers

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to the people of West Bengal and Assam to vote in large numbers in the second phase of polling for the Assembly elections.
  • In separate tweets, Shah said people's participation in the election process will ensure peace and prosperity in the two states. "As the voting for the 2nd phase begins in West Bengal, I appeal to everyone to vote in large numbers. Your one vote can bring decisive change. So, come out and vote for a safer and prosperous Bengal," he said.
  • In another tweet, Shah said, "Today is the second phase of polling in Assam and I appeal to everyone to cast their vote without fail. A special appeal to our young voters to exercise their franchise for a peaceful and self-reliant Assam".
  • BJP candidate alleges intimidation from Trinamool cadres

    In Nowpara, booth no. 22, Anchal-1, my polling agent has been surrounded by 150 TMC goons. He hasn't been allowed to enter the polling booth. In Barunia, voters being threatened and shown the TMC symbol: Bharti Ghosh, BJP candidate from Debra constituency.

    Latest scenes from Assam

    Nandigram residents cast their votes

    Trinamool worker stabbed to death in Bengal's Keshpur, seven arrested

    Uttam Dolui, 48, was at a local club in Hariharpur in the district's Keshpur area along with a few others when around 10-15 people allegedly attacked him with sharp weapons, police said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    PM tweets in Bengali on polling day

    Suvendu Adhikari vs Mamata Banerjee: Nandigram talking point across Bengal

    Mamata Banerjee lit up Nandigram with a slogan that perhaps encapsulates where West Bengal is right now, in terms of the gap between its reality and its desire. “Cool cool Trinamool, thanda thanda cool, vote paabe jora phool,” she thundered, with an elan that TV advertising professionals would envy. Jora phool is the grass flower associated with the West Bengal Chief Minister’s party, the Trinamool. Will it get the votes? Therein hangs a tale. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Mixed response to Mamata’s mid-poll pitch on Opposition unity, BJP hits back at Bengal CM

    In the three-page letter, Mamata appealed to non-BJP leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, ailing NC P founder Sharad Pawar, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, DMK chief M K Stalin, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, PDP head Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(ML) chief Dipankar Bhattacharya and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. She, however, did not write to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who had fancied his chances in the past at leading a third front. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    What Suvendu Adhikari has to say about Nandigram battle

    I appeal to people to come out in large numbers to cast their vote as the whole country is looking at Nandigram. People are waiting to see if development or politics of appeasement will win here, the BJP candidate said.

    Latest scenes from Assam's Nagaon

    Update from Bengal's Debra constituency

    Reports of EVM malfunctions at two polling booths in Assam

    In Silchar, voting was temporarily stopped at polling station number 146 at Nirtamoyee Balika Vidyalaya, due to EVM malfunction. Same incident was reported at polling station number 26 at Nowgong Law College in Nagaon.

    Long ques at Nandigram as polling starts

    Second phase: Polling starts at Assam, Bengal

    Just a few more minutes to go for the Mamata Vs Suvendu battle

    Just a few more minutes to go for the Mamata Vs Suvendu battle

    Latest scenes from Assam's Nagaon

    BJP files complaint against Mamata Banerjee with EC over alleged threats

    In its letter to the poll panel, BJP on Tuesday alleged, despite "pro-active" role of the commission, "large- scale violence" has been reported during past several days due to such utterances by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    BJP hoping to do well in Bengali-majority Barak Valley in second phase of Assam elections

    The BJP and its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had won 24 of these seats in the last polls. The Barak Valley has 15 seats and eight of these are currently held by the BJP. The Congress had won three and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) four in 2016. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Congress' reply on Mamata's call for Opposition unity

    "What Mamta Banerjee has said is right that the central government is working to weaken states. The Centre should think to strengthen the states instead of weakening them," Rajasthan CM and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who is in Assam campaigning for the assembly polls, told PTI over phone. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Assam Congress MLAs will not leave party post-election, says Gehlot

    Geholt, whose government was on the brink of collapse last year due to a rebellion by a section of Congress MLAs allegedly at the instigation of the saffron party, claimed at a press conference that the election results of Assam and West Bengal will give "a jerk to the BJP and its fascist ideology". (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Assam breaks all records in poll seizures, items worth over Rs 110 crore confiscated so far

    Freebies and other items like cigarettes of foreign origin, poppy seeds, black pepper, areca nuts, pan masala worth Rs 14.91 crore have also been confiscated. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Prohibitory orders imposed in battleground Nandigram ahead of voting

    A senior official of the poll body said the EC has also conducted air surveillance in the area with the help of a helicopter in view of the sensitivity of the area and people who are not voters of Nandigram are being barred from entering it, the official said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Owaisi lashes out at Mamata's 'Casteist' remarks

    200 more companies of central forces to reach Bengal by April 8

    A senior official also said that the 800 companies of central forces have already been deployed in the state where the first of the eight-phase of assembly election was held on March 27 and the second one will be conducted on Thursday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    NCP welcomes Mamata's letter

    West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has asked for Opposition parties' support. We support her fully. Sharad Pawar was supposed to campaign from April 1-3 in WB, but his tour has been cancelled due to illness. If he recovers, he may campaign in the last phase: NCP leader Nawab Malik.

    Mamata has lost ground in Bengal, speaking of 'gotra' is sign of desperation: Javadekar

    Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said that TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has realised that she has lost ground in West Bengal and is speaking about her 'gotra' in desperation, but this "drama" will not help her party win the assembly election. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    WATCH | Nadda mocks Mamata over writing letters to the Opposition leaders

    Here are some key contests to look into at Bengal and Assam

  • In Bankura, Bengali actor Sayantika Banerjee will make her poll debut against BJP's Niladri Sekhar Dana. In the same seat, the Sanjukta Morcha has fielded Congress candidate Radharani Banerjee.
  • In Debra, it will be a battle between two former cops as BJP's Bharati Ghosh will take on Trinamool's Humayun Kabir.
  • In Assam's Dholai, state minister Parimal Suklabaidya is going up against Congress' Kamakhya Prasad Mala.
  • Assam Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar is taking on AIUDF's Karim Uddin Barbhuiyan in Sonai.
  • Minister Pijush Hazarika is in a triangular contest with Congress' Swapan Kumar Mandal and AJP's Bubul Das from Jagiroad (SC).
  • Another Assam Minister Bhabesh Kalita will face AJP's Babul Saharia in the Rangiya constituency. Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary is fighting against BPF's Karuna Kanta Swargiary in Paneri.
  • AIUDF's Sirajuddin Ajmal, a former MP and MLA, is going up against AGP's Sadikullah Bhuyan from Jamunamukh.
  • Former Congress minister and BJP leader Gautam Roy will be up against his ex- party colleague Khalliluddin Mazumdar.
  • Gautam's son Rahul Roy, contesting as an Independent at Udharbond, is in a triangular contest with former Congress minister Ajit Singh and sitting BJP MLA Mihir Kanti Shome.
  • Gautam Roy's daughter-in-law Daisy Roy, another Independent candidate from Algapur, will be in battle against AGP's Aftabuddin Laskar and BJP's Moon Swarnakar and sitting AIUDF MLA Nijamuddin Choudhury.
  • In Silchar, MLA Dilip Paul, expelled from the BJP, is contesting as an Independent and is locked in a contest with BJP's Dipayan Chakraborty and Congress's Tamal Kanti Banik.
  • Another state minister, Sum Ronghang, who joined Congress after being denied ticket by BJP, is locked in a direct fight against BJP's Bidya Sing Engleng in Diphu.
  • In Udalguri (ST) constituency, BPF minister Rihon Daimary is taking on UPPL's Gobinda Chandra Basumatary. Basumatary is the deputy chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
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