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Bengal polls HIGHLIGHTS | Five deaths, violence mark end of high-turnout phase four of polling

The fourth phase witnessed an intense battle between 373 candidates in 44 constituencies of the state across five districts - Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hoogh.
Voters show their EPIC cards before casting vote at a polling booth during the 4th phase of the West Bengal assembly election, in Howrah district. (Photo | PTI)
Voters show their EPIC cards before casting vote at a polling booth during the 4th phase of the West Bengal assembly election, in Howrah district. (Photo | PTI)
Online Desk

A total of 44 Assembly constituencies across five districts of West Bengal went to polls on April 10 in the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly election. Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are among the constituencies that goes to the polling booths.

Violence broke out in Cooch Behar constituency where over four people were killed and many injured. The Election Commission adjourned polling in booth no.126 in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar after clashes between Central forces and voters.

The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC ordered for a CID probe into the violence that took place on Saturday and named Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the 'conspirator' behind these attacks.

Meanwhile, the BJP blamed 'TMC goons' for the deaths of over four people, including a first-time voter, in Cooch Behar and asked people to 'vote for change in state.' BJP leader Locket Chatterjee's car was also attacked by locals in Hoogly.

According to the Election Commission, 75.93 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5:24 pm in West Bengal during the fourth-phase of polling. Four more phases are left for the people of Bengal to elect their new government.

The BJP is trying to dethrone the TMC from the state, while the Mamata Banerjee-led party is seeking to return to power for the third time in a row.

Mamata Banerjee questions central forces' version, orders CID probe in Cooch Behar violence

Mamata Banerjee reiterated her demand for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the firing incident in Cooch Behar, and wondered whose "direct interference into the functioning of the Election Commission and central forces" led to the excesses.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)

Mahayagya of 'Asol Paribartan' will begin in West Bengal from May 2: PM Narendra Modi

"BJP is the only party in the country which has been receiving ideological energy from West Bengal. From May 2, the 'mahayagya' of 'Asol Paribartan will begin in Bengal. This mahayagya will teach a lesson to appeasers, extortors and those who neglect Bengal." Modi said.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)

Voter turnout update

75.93 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5:24 pm as fourth phase of polling is underway in Bengal

Mamata calls Amit Shah 'conspirator' of Cooch Behar violence

Bengal poll booth violence: Sources cite 'attack on CISF QRT, injury to child' as reason

The officials said that as the mob got "aggressive", two rounds were fired in the air. But sensing the "imminent danger to their life", the security personnel fired another seven bullet rounds towards the crowd. Four people were killed in the firing by the central forces, police said.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)

66.76 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3:39 pm: Election Commission of India

A voter registering name to cast her vote, at a polling booth, during the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election, at KMC Primary School in Kasba. (Photo | ANI)

'Cold blooded murder of four, brutal injury to innocent people': TMC writes letter to CEO Bengal

PM Modi condoles death in CISF firing, blames Trinamool Congress for violence

Attacking Mamata Banerjee over the culture of violence and "tolabaji" (extortion), Modi said people of Bengal had made up their mind to defeat the TMC.
(READ FULL STORY HERE)

TMC blames Amit Shah over Cooch Behar violence, asks Union Home Minister ti step down

"The firing took place because common people were resisting the effort by BJP hooligans to disrupt the voting. They are being encouraged by Central Armed Police Force and we feel this is a conspiracy headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, we are demanding his resignation," said TMC MP Saugata Roy on Saturday while addressing mediapersons.

What happened in Cooch Behar, West Bengal:

1. Violence erupted during the voting for the fourth phase of Assembly elections
2. Four people were killed, allegedly by central forces, at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district
3. In another incident, a first time voter was allegedly killed by TMC supporters in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar
4. TMC slammed the central forces and said that they were 'doing injustice' in Bengal
5. BJP blamed 'TMC goons' behind the violence
6. The Election Commission adjourned polling in booth no.126 in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar after multiple incidents of violence
7. TMC wrote letter to Bengal Chief Electoral Officer over 'cold-blooded murder of four and brutal injury of three innocent people by Central Forces during polling.'
8. The election body has sought a detailed report on the violence that erupted by 5.00 pm on Saturday

TMC to hold protests in every block and ward of Bengal over the firing in Cooch Behar

TMC MP Saugata Roy said on Saturday that "the firing took place because common people were resisting the effort by BJP hooligans to disrupt the voting. They are being encouraged by Central Armed Police Force and we feel this is a conspiracy headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, we are demanding his resignation."
(Inputs from ANI)

52.89 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1:37 pm

Mamata Banerjee to hold rally in Cooch Behar against firing incident outside polling booth

Polling adjourned at booth no.126 of Sitalkuchi after violence on Election Day

EC adjournes voting in Polling Station 126 of Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar after violence

Commission orders adjourning the poll in Polling Station 126 of Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar based on an interim report from Special Observers. Detailed reports sought from them and Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm today: EC

TMC seeks explanation from EC over death of 4 in firing by central forces

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Saturday sought explanation from the Election Commission over the death of four persons, who were shot allegedly by central forces at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district during the fourth phase of assembly elections.

"We are sad to say with deep concern that firing by central forces has left four dead and four injured at Mathabhanga. We also want to say that the central forces are committing crimes and crossing all limits. The EC should come out with an explanation," TMC Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen said.

Sen said when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had pointed to the excesses of the central forces, she was twice issued a showcause notice. (PTI)

Mamata replies to EC notice on her remarks on CAPFs

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee replies to Election Commission notice to her on her remarks on CAPFs. She states, "There has been no effort to incite/influence the electorate against CAPFs. It is clear I haven't violated Model Code of Conduct."

What happened in Cooch Behar is very saddening, says PM Modi

Visuals from Cooch Behar

4 shot dead in Sitalkuchi after clashes

Four persons were killed as CISF personnel allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who "attempted to snatch their rifles", in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday, police said. (READ MORE)

Voter turnout recorded till 11:05 am

Bengal polls pahse 4: 33.98 per cent voter turnout recorded till 11 am

BJP's polling agent stopped from entering booth in Tollygunge; Babul Supriyo intervenes

BJP's polling agent at Gandhi Colony Bharati Balika Vidyalaya was initially not allowed inside the station. Further, BJP MP and candidate from Tollygunge assembly constituency Supriyo reached there and ensured the agent's entry. (READ MORE)

BJP candidate Locket Chatterjee's car damaged

BJP candidate in Chinsurah, Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee's car damaged after TMC supporters allegedly pelted stones. (Reports Pronab Mandal)

After Prashant Kishor Clubhouse convo trends on social, he responds!

On the day of fourth phase of polling in Bengal, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor's conversation with journalists on Clubhouse app has been leaked on Twitter.

In the leaked convo, Kishor said that there is no anti-incumbency against centre in Bengal and Modi is popular among several other things.

Kishor, responding to trends on social media, said: I am glad BJP is taking my chat more seriously than words of their own leaders! They should show courage & share the full chat instead of getting excited with selective use of parts of it. I have said this before & repeating again - BJP will not to CROSS 100 in WB. Period. (READ MORE)

TMC, BJP blame each other on death at booth

The Trinamool Congress alleged that the BJP was behind the killing, while the saffron party claimed that the deceased was its polling agent at the booth and pointed the accusing finger at the ruling party in the state.

"We have received information that a person was shot dead outside a polling booth in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district. We have sought a report from the micro-observer as soon as possible and the returning officer was called up to know about the situation," an election official said. (READ MORE)

TMC cadres splash chilli powder at CPM agent

TMC supporters splashed chilli powder at a CPI(M) polling booth agent at Gangulybagan in Jadavpur AC. (Reports Pronab Mandal)

Voter killed in Cooch Behar, shooting by TMC cadres alleged

First time voter, Ananda Barman (18), was killed allegedly by TMC supporters opening fire in front of a polling booth at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, North Bengal.

West Bengal Poll percentage till 9.00 am

Buddha and what’s left of the citadel

Between the binary of a ladaku neta (the war-like Mamata Banerjee) and the PM’s fort-destroyer act, complete with taunts and slogans, there’s another figure who’s also in the contest quite strangely, in his absence. He is Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

The 77-year-old former West Bengal CM’s failing health especially respiratory trouble in this Covid season has kept him away from the public stage. All that has come from him by way of intervention in this election season is a statement. He shot a single arrow, talking of “the unravelling of the Singur-Nandigram conspiracy”, and the irony of “the conspirators now fighting each other” in the silence of the graveyard. (READ MORE)

Tug of war to claim Dalit dividend - Alipurduar

When BJP is promising to set up a battalion in para-military force comprising Rajbangshis, TMC, armed with an RTI document, is labelling the promise as a trick to hoodwink Dalits.

Prasenjit Roy, a school teacher in Cooch Behar and CPI(M) leader, said BJP and TMC are leaving no stone unturned to please the Rajbangshi community. (READ MORE)

TMC candidate sports a helmet!

TMC candidate from Natabari constituency in Cooch Behar, Rabindra Nath Ghosh seen wearing a helmet this morning. He says, "I am wearing this to avoid any untoward incident."

TMC writes to EC, alleges ruckus by BJP goons outside booths

TMC writes to Election Commission alleging that "across several booths in Sitalkuchi, Natalbari, Tufanganj & Dinhata, BJP goons are creating a ruckus outside the booth & preventing TMC agents from entering the booth." TMC demands necessary actions from EC.

(READ MORE)

A quick glance at key points of this phase election

This phase of the elections will witness an intense battle between 373 candidates in 44 constituencies of the state across five districts - Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly.

High-stake 'Khela' in Bengal: Top leaders, celebrities in phase-four battleground

The Singur Constituency in Hooghly district is all set to witness an interesting battle between TMC's Becharam Manna and BJP's Rabindranath Bhattacharjee. The sitting MLA from Singur, Bhattacharjee was previously with TMC. As the party denied a ticket to the octogenarian leader this time, he joined the BJP. Srijan Bhattacharya is the CPI(M) candidate from the seat. (READ MORE)

Mamata Banerjee
TMC
Howrah
West Bengal elections
Cooch Behar
West Bengal BJP
West Bengal Assembly polls
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