West Bengal Elections highlights: EC bans roadshows, vehicle rallies in WB

Polling is underway in the sixth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections in 43 seats in four districts. 57.30% voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm. The Trinamool Congress stares at a tough fight as it will have to deal with a near four-fold increase in BJP’s vote share in these constituencies in the last Lok Sabha elections. Stay tuned for updates.

Mamata cancels all poll meetings amid soaring Covid-19 cases, to address people virtually

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday cancelled all pre-scheduled poll meetings after the Election Commission banned roadshows and vehicle rallies for the remaining phases of the ongoing assembly polls in the state, and said she will address people virtually.

"In the wake of upsurge in #COVID-19 cases across the country and the ECI order dated 22nd April, 2021, I am cancelling all my pre-scheduled meetings and we will reach out to the people virtually," the Trinamool Congress supremo said on Twitter.

She said the schedule for her virtual meetings would be shared shortly.

EC bans roadshows, vehicle rallies in West Bengal

Noting that Covid safety norms were being flouted inWestBengalduring campaigning, the Election Commission on Thursday banned road shows and vehicle rallies in the state with immediate effect and said no public meeting having more than 500 people would be allowed.

People stand in a queue to cast their votes during 6th phase of West Bengal Assembly Polls, in Burdwan.

Credit: PTI Photo

EC bans physical campaigning in Bengal in view of Covid-19

The Election Commission of Indiaon Thursday withdrew permission for roadshow, cycle, bike, vehicle rallies in West Bengal view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.

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6th phase polling largely peaceful in Bengal; 79.09% turnout till 5 pm

At least 79.09 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in 43 assembly constituencies of West Bengal where voting was held for the sixth phase on Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab said.

Polling was held between 7 am and 6.30 pm at 14,480 polling stations in 17 assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas district, nine each in Nadia and Uttar Dinajpur districts and eight in Purba Bardhaman district.

llegal immigrants actual outsiders in Bengal, vote bank for Mamata: Shah

Home Minister 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.

Shah also accused Banerjee of having no other agenda apart from hurling abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him.

Calcutta High Court expresses dissatisfaction with EC on implementation of Covid norms

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of India over enforcement of Covid-19 health safety norms during the ongoing West Bengal assembly election process, including campaigning.

Hearing three public interest litigations (PILs) seeking enforcement of Covid protocol during the elections, a division bench presided by Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan said issuance of circulars and holding meetings on Covid safety were not enough and sought an affidavit by Friday on steps taken to enforce the norms.

Stray violence marks 6th phase of Bengal polls

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Thursday from various parts of West Bengal where voting is underway for the sixth phase of assembly elections, officials said.

Elections, which began at 7 am, are being held in 43 assembly seats -- 17 in North 24 Parganas district, nine each in Nadia and Uttar Dinajpur, and eight in Purba Bardhaman. Around 57.03 per cent turnout was recorded till 1 pm, an EC official said.

Modi govt has enough money but would not provide vaccines free of cost: Mamata

Asserting that the Centre should not allow differential pricing of Covid-19 vaccines, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said people should be able to avail the shots free of cost.

Banerjee, during a rally here, claimed that the Narendra Modi government, despite having enough money in its coffers, is "reluctant" to provide vaccines free of cost.

Pointing out that Covishield is priced at Rs 150 for the Centre, Rs 400 for states and Rs 600 for private hospitals, the TMC supremo said, "Is it a joke? Why is that one vaccine is is being sold at different rates? Vaccines should not be commercialised. (PTI)

Mamata slams BJP govt over vaccine price disparity

Hitting out at the BJP-led Centre over the disparity in the price of vaccines being supplied to the Union government, states and private hospitals, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said rates should be the same for every buyer.

Mocking the BJP over its slogan of 'One nation, one party, one leader', she stressed that every Indian needs vaccine free of cost, regardless of their age and location. (PTI)

57.30 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm

Bengal minister rushed to hospital with breathing problems, discharged after treatment

West Bengal Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pandey was rushed to a hospital here on Thursday morning after he complained of "terrible discomfort during breathing", a day after having taken the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, sources in the health department said.

Doctors discharged him after preliminary treatment and the veteran TMC leader is currently resting at home, the sources said. (PTI)

"I am not a player, but I know how to play. I was the best player in the Lok Sabha earlier. We cannot surrender our Bengal to two goons of Delhi," CM Mamata Banerjee said in a public rally she is addressing in Dakshin Dinajpur. (ANI)

37.27 per cent voter turnout recorded in the state till 11 am

A BJP worker was allegedly assaulted by TMC cadres in the Bijpur Assembly constituency

A voter at a booth near Nandigram village, Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district was given first aid by the ITBP medic team during the sixth phase of polling in West Bengal today (ANI)

17.19% voter turnout has been recorded till 9.30 am

JUST IN | These are assemblies where abnormally high cases of EVM malfunctioning have been reported, alleges TMC.

Uttar Dinajpur
1. Kaliaganj
2. Itahar
3. Goalpokhar
4. Islampur
5. Chakulia
6. Hemtabad

Nadia
1. Tehatta

North 24 Paragana
1. Habra

JUST IN | The voters have their voter ID but CRPF is not allowing them to go inside booths137, 137 A, 138, 138A in N24.

Update |BJP candidate from Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, Krishna Kalyani cast his vote at booth number 134. "Voting began a little late. It is a festival of democracy andeveryone is participating. You can see the queues, it shows that this time voting will be for change, development," he said. (ANI)

TMC has alleged that Prabhash Kar from BJP is influencing voters by threatening them of dire consequence in Booth 221 in N24

Just in | TMC has alleged that Raja Roy Nandi of BJP has gathered a large crowd near booth 76 in N24 and is influencing vote by inducing fear.

In this phase, elections are being held in 17 seats in the North 24 Parganas district and nine seats in Nadia -- most of which has a significant presence of the Matuas, who are crucial to the electoral success of any party in the state.

Besides, elections are also being held in the nine seats in Uttar Dinajpur district and eight in Purba Bardhaman.

BJP national vice president Mukul Roy casts his vote at booth number 141 at Kanchrapara Municipal Polytechnic High School, in Kanchrapara of North 24 Parganas district.

Voting in Phase 6 for 43 constituencies begins

In North 24 Parganas' Bijpur (booth no. 167), Ward 20 coordinator Utpal Dasgupta injured by goons near Sahidbani Club, alleges by TMC.

BJP candidate Archana Majumdar is sitting on a dharna outside booth72 inNorth 24with a group of people who are mostly outsiders

Voting for the sixth phase of West Bengal polls is yet to begin at booth number 134at Raiganj Coronation High Schoolin Uttar Dinajpur, due to some technical issues. (ANI)

West Bengal BJP vice president Arjun Singh casts his vote at booth number 144 in Jagatdal of North 24 Parganas.