Bengal polls HIGHLIGHTS | Hurling of bombs, PM Modi's campaign cancellation mark end of sixth phase polling

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.
CRPF personnel help an elderly man at a polling station during 6th phase of West Bengal State Assembly polls at Barrackpore. (Photo | PTI)
CRPF personnel help an elderly man at a polling station during 6th phase of West Bengal State Assembly polls at Barrackpore. (Photo | PTI)

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.

Bombs hurled in North 24 Parganas, six injured

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.

PM Modi cancels travel to Bengal due to COVID meeting

Illegal immigrants actual outsiders, vote bank for Mamata, says Amit Shah at rally

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)

Voter turnout update

70.42 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in 43 seats where polling is underway in sixth phase.

Election Commission-dismisses TMC allegations of firing by central forces

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)

One nation, one election BJP's vision, why not one vaccine price: CM Mamata Banerjee

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)

57.30 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1:28 pm

Cannot surrender our Bengal to two goons of Delhi: CM Mamata Banerjee

My vote, my right

A voter shows her inked finger after casting her vote at a polling station during the 6th phase of West Bengal State Assembly Elections at Khardha, in North 24 Parganas. (Photo | PTI)
A voter shows her inked finger after casting her vote at a polling station during the 6th phase of West Bengal State Assembly Elections at Khardha, in North 24 Parganas. (Photo | PTI)

Stray violence marks sixth phase of Bengal polls; 37.27 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am

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)

Drone surveillance underway amid reports of violence

Reports of more violence pouring in

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.

Latest scenes from Banpara

Violence continues at sixth phase too

Bombs hurled at Ketugram, East Burdwan as clashes break out between Trinamool and BJP supporters. One saffron party activist received injuries on his head.

Latest scenes from Purba Bardhaman

Latest polling figures

17.19 per cent voter turnout recorded till 9 am in 43 seats.

Follow COVID protocols while campaigning in Bengal or face action: EC to parties

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)

PM urges voters to go out and cast their franchises

Voting starts late in Raiganj booth due to technical issues

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.

BJP MP Arjun Singh casts his vote

Covid ward in Raiganj converted into polling booth, locals protest

  • Locals of Indira Colony in West Bengal's Raiganj staged a protest on Wednesday following the conversion of a COVID-19 Locals of Indira Colony in West Bengal's Raiganj staged a protest on Wednesday following the conversion of a COVID-19 ward inside Raiganj Medical College into a polling booth ahead of the sixth phase of polling in the state.
  • The protesters said that they are wary of getting infected with coronavirus on the polling day.
  • "We cannot cast our votes there as it is unsafe. We are not sure if the area has been sanitised and we will not go inside. We have a family to feed. The government is giving lectures on COVID-19 behaviour and then making us vote in such places. We need a new booth," said a protestor.
  • "We put a roadblock protesting against the decision to make the COVID-19 ward into a polling booth and demanding a new polling booth", said Sumit another protester.
  • Local residents of the colony set up a roadblock for hours protesting against setting up a polling booth in the COVID-19 ward. Following the protest, the authorities sanitised the booth.
  • Senior BJP Leader Mukul Roy casts his vote

    Polling begins for phase six

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