HIGHLIGHTS | Final phase of polling concludes in Assam, five more rounds of 'khela' left in Bengal
Claims and counter-claims of violence including attacks on TMC's Sujata Mondal, Najmul Karim and BJP's Papia Adhikary marred the polling process in Bengal.
Published: 06th April 2021 12:29 AM |
Last Updated: 06th April 2021 07:37 PM
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Voters show their ID cards while standing in queues during the 3rd phase of voting for the West Bengal assembly election, in Howrah. (Photo | ANI)
By Online Desk
With sporadic violence on one side and smooth polling on the other, the third phase of Assembly elections in Bengal and Assam concluded with a polling percentage of around 80 per cent.
Over 79.19 lakh voters exercised their franchise in Assam in the state's final phase of polling.
Meanwhile, five more rounds of 'khela' (games) remain to be played in Bengal.
First-time voters and celebrities in Assam captured their joy with a picture and shared it across on social media platforms.
In neighbouring Bengal however, claims and counter-claims of violence including attacks on TMC's Sujata Mondal, Najmul Karim and BJP's Papia Adhikary marred the polling process.
While CM Mamata Banerjee alleged "blatant misuse" of central forces to "influence voters", PM Modi who campaigned across multiple locations stated that TMC had lost the confidence of its minority vote bank and was staring at what he called an 'impending defeat' for the party.
Residents of 31 constituencies in Bengal headed to the booths today to decide the electoral fate of 205 candidates, only 13 of whom are female. In Assam, 40 constituencies across 12 districts voted with 337 candidates in the fray.
Derek O'Brien writes to CEC over sexual assault of minor by CRPF personnel
TMC's Derek O Brien wrote to Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal regarding 'gruesome sexual assault' on a minor girl by CRPF jawan in AC 198-Tarakeshwar, Hooghly.
— Derek O'Brien | ????? ?'???????? (@derekobrienmp) April 6, 2021
05:47 Apr 6
Didi heaping abuses on me as she is frustrated over TMC's impending defeat: PM Modi
Maintaining that the TMC dispensation has institutionalised "ease of crime and ease of loot", the prime minister said that a BJP government, instead, will provide people "ease of living and business". (READ MORE)
PM Narendra Modi waves at crowd during an election campaign rally in support of BJP candidates at Dumujola Stadium in Howrah district, Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Photo | PTI)
05:44 Apr 6
Assam, Bengal update
78.94 per cent polling recorded till 5 pm in Assam; Bengal sees voter turnout at 77.68 per cent till 6 pm
05:13 Apr 6
Inked! Assamese celebrities pose for a picture after casting their votes in final phase
Assamese actors Kapil Bora (L) and Prastuti Parashar (R) (Photos | ANI)
05:04 Apr 6
Assam Dy Speaker quizzed, five policemen suspended for firing on crowd during second phase of voting
At least three persons were injured in the firing by the bodyguards of Laskar on April 1 after clashes broke out between supporters of BJP and AIUDF inside a polling station in Sonai constituency. Police sources said Laskar was interrogated twice for several hours during the last 48 hours and his statements have been recorded in front of a magistrate. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
04:48 Apr 6
Actress-turned-BJP candidate Papia Adhikary manhandled by alleged TMC supporters
Papia Adhikary had reportedly gone to a local hospital to visit to an injured BJP worker when alleged TMC supporters started assembling there and attacked her. "The attack took place as soon as I came out of the hospital. The TMC goons attacked me and others who were accompanying me. They were armed with sticks. I have never faced such a situation," Papia said, adding that she will lodge a complaint with the Election Commission.
04:07 Apr 6
Visuals from Bengal polling booth where volunteers, journalists allege being pushed out
#WATCH | West Bengal: Media persons and volunteers alleged that they were pushed out by security personnel from the premises of a polling booth in Tarakeswar, Hooghly pic.twitter.com/kNAUuUIbrb
Assam records 68.31 polling percentage till 3 pm; 68.04 per cent in Bengal
People being screened in queues before casting their votes during the 3rd phase of the state assembly election, in Howrah on Tuesday. (Photo | ANI)
03:35 Apr 6
BJP men forcibly occupying booths, attacking TMC candidates: Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed BJP activists were forcibly occupying polling booths and attacking TMC members, including party candidates, and asserted that she would not get bogged down by such "intimidatory tactics". (READ MORE HERE)
03:27 Apr 6
Ek selfie toh banti hai! First time voter captures her joy with a photo
A first-time voter takes a selfie with family after casting their votes at a polling station, during the third and final phase of Assam Assembly elections, in Guwahati on Tuesday. (Photo | ANI)
03:15 Apr 6
Polls conducted in favour of ruling party here: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on EVMS, VVPAT's found at TMC leader's house
In West Bengal, admn conducts polls in favour of ruling party. That's why, in last Panchayat polls in West Bengal, 34% of voters couldn't vote. It resulted in an unopposed victory of ruling party on 20,000 seats: AR Chowdhary, Congress on EVMs & VVPAT found at TMC leader's house pic.twitter.com/Zi3UouRCzY
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 6, 2021
02:56 Apr 6
All smiles: Himanta Biswa Sarma, wife and son cast their votes
Himanta Biswa Sarma with his wife Riniki Sarma Bhuyan and son Nandil Biswa Sarma shows fingers marked with indelible ink after casting votes at a polling station, during the third phase of Assam Assembly elections, at Amingaon in Kamrup district in Assam. (Photo | PTI)
02:48 Apr 6
Poll violence
The vehicle of a BJP candidate in Falta, South 24 Parganas, was attacked by alleged TMC supporters.
02:41 Apr 6
Polling underway peacefully in Assam, booths showcase different themes
Many polling centres were decorated with recyclable items, having art installations made with bottles, plastic wrappers, etc. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
02:35 Apr 6
BJP's Cooch Behar rally a 'flop show': TMC tweets video of turnout at PM Modi's campaign
BJP is DOWN & OUT!
On a day when @BJP4Bengal has resorted to unabated violence for Phase 3 polls, have a look at @narendramodi ji’s FIRST flop show in Bengal!
Crowd leaves while PM is still on stage in Cooch Behar.
Sujata Mondal's personal security officer sustained major injuries, in critical state: Derek O'Brien writes to EC
Goons of BJP attacked TMC candidate Sujata Mondal (file pic 2) at Arandi-I booth no.263 Mahallapara. Her personal security officer has suffered injuries on head & is in critical state. CRPF personnel were silent spectators: TMC's Derek O'Brien(file pic 1) to EC #WestBengalPollspic.twitter.com/uzzn8Wdc5o
A Bihu-themed polling station in 38 Goalpara West constituency
Bihu-themed Ambari model polling station under 38 Goalpara West constituency generates enthusiasm among voters.
01:16 Apr 6
Sporadic violence reported in third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday in some areas where voting is underway in the third phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, even as the overall situation by and large remained peaceful with 34.71 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.
Congress, allies hold edge in minority-heavy lower Assam
The Congress-led grand alliance appears to have an edge over the BJP-led ruling alliance in the 40 constituencies where the third and final phase of Assam elections will be held on Tuesday. These seats are spread across lower Assam.
In the 2016 elections in these seats, BJP and Congress had won 11 each. Bengali-speaking Muslims, considered to be the vote bank of Congress and the minority-based AIUDF, are large majorities in several of these seats.
Assam has recorded 2813 Model Code of Conduct violations since the announcement of polling dates
12:23 Apr 6
Uluberia EVM seizure: Howrah district election officer suspends three officials for gross violation of ECI guidelines
WB | Asst Sector Officers of Sec 17, 177-Uluberia North Assembly Constituency, Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Sanjib Majumdar, Mithun Chakraborty suspended for gross violation of ECI guidelines by taking reserve EVMs to their relatives' house on 5 Apr: DM & Dist Election Officer, Howrah
One SI, three home guard personnel suspended for failing in poll duty in Howrah district
Three Home Guards of Howrah (rural) District temporarily demobilised for their failure in performing their duty during assembly elections: SP Howrah (Rural) District
Clash erupts between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters in Arambag
WB: Clash erupts b/w TMC & BJP supporters in Arambag, as voting in assembly elections is underway
In Arandi-I area here, we've minority, SC voters who love Mamata Banerjee. Goons of BJP threatened & tortured women voters last night: Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh pic.twitter.com/EqUVoAzBiA
West Bengal sees voter turnout of 34.71 per cent, Assam records 33.18 per cent till 11 am
While Assam witnesses 33.18 per cent voter turnout in 40 assembly seats where polling is underway for last phase, West Bengal recorded 34.71 per cent of turnout in 31 seats till 11 am.
11:36 Apr 6
Expecting to win on 22 out of 40 seats in this phase of election: Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
There're 40 seats in this phase, we are expecting to win on 22 of them, number can be higher. This elections we will win more seats. Last time we had won 84 seats, we are expecting at least 90 seats this time: Assam Minister & BJP candidate Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari pic.twitter.com/5ebRkn8V1H
Another TMC attempt in election rigging has been exposed: Prakash Javadekar on Uluberia EVM seizure
It's more serious because today is voting. EC has taken action not to use those machines & suspend the officer. But this may be a bigger thing than it seems. So we demand that there should be full inquiry of these VVPATs & EVMs found in his house: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 6, 2021
10:33 Apr 6
Our workers were beaten, central forces telling people to vote for BJP: Arambagh TMC candidate Sujata Mondal
Situation is fine at many places but not okay where we're strong. At booth 45, people voted for TMC but it's going to BJP. In Arandi-ii, our workers were beaten. Central Forces are also not neutral.They're telling people to vote for BJP: Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh pic.twitter.com/bmMi3vuAJ7
West Bengal polls: BJP worker's mother killed by TMC goons in Goghat, alleges Tathagata Roy
In Goghat,Distt Hooghly,West Bengal Piru Adak,a BJP worker was attacked by Trinamool goons. When his mother Madhavi tried to save him the goons attacked and killed her.
Assam sees voter turnout of 12.83 per cent, West Bengal records 14.62 per cent till 9 am
While Assam witnesses 12.83 per cent voter turnout in 40 assembly seats where polling is underway for last phase, West Bengal recorded 14.62 per cent of turnout in 31 seats till 9 am.
09:50 Apr 6
Trinamool Congress camp office allegedly ransacked by BJP supporters in South 24 Parganas
09:26 Apr 6
TMC goons not allowing people to cast their votes at booth no 180: Diamond Harbour BJP candidate
#WestBengalPolls | TMC goons are not allowing people to cast their votes at booth no. 180, 143 Dagira Baduldanga. I have complained to the Election Commission officials: Dipak Haldar, BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas pic.twitter.com/ZFBGH0BfLa
All allegations by BJP are false, South 24 Parganas voters are with Mamata Banerjee: TMC MLA Saokat Molla
All allegations (by BJP) are false. When a party weakens, it gives baseless statements. It is they who facilitate hooliganism, they bring money & people from outside. Whatever they say is a lie. Voters in South 24 Parganas is with TMC & Mamata Banerjee: Saokat Molla, TMC MLA pic.twitter.com/L6pVUFGIIk
Four model polling stations set up in Assam's Goalpara
Four model Polling Stations have been set up - one per constituency - each with a unique theme generating a lot of enthusiasm amongst our voters in Assam's Goalpara.
Thermal scanning of voters being done, hand sanitiser and hand gloves being provided to them as they stand in a queue to cast their vote for the third phase of #WestBengalPolls.
Visuals from a polling station in Uttar Moukhali Junior High Madrasa in Canning Purba constituency. pic.twitter.com/Sd54mQH0aq
West Bengal's Uluberia Uttar constituency section officer accused of violating EC orders, suspended
Tapan Sarkar, sector officer of Sector 17 in AC 177 Uluberia Uttar at Howrah district, went with Reserve EVM and slept at a relative’s house. This is a gross violation of EC’s instructions for which he has been suspended and charges will be framed for major punishment: EC pic.twitter.com/Af939ZDgJL
An overview of constituencies going under polls on Tuesday
While Assam is having its last phase of polling, West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress is dominating most constituencies.
07:59 Apr 6
BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour Dipak Haldar casts his vote
West Bengal: BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas, Dipak Haldar casts his vote at Abdalpur F P Primary School in the district for the third phase of #WestBengalPollspic.twitter.com/YBkkA4MPbJ
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