West Bengal Assembly Election Phase 5 highlights: 78.36% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

The fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections happened amid a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases. Over 1 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise voted to decide the fate of 342 candidates. 78.36% voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm.

Audio clip issue: BJP, TMC move CEO; conversation sent to EC

Both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress on Saturday approached the West Bengal CEO with their demands on the purported audio link in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is heard suggesting a rally with bodies of those killed in CISF firing during polling on April 10.

While the saffron party urged Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab to take note of the purported audiotape claiming it could lead to untoward situations in the next phases of the assembly elections, the TMC demanded action against those who released it "violating rules". (PTI)

Only BJP can end infiltration woes, Mamata Banerjee practises fake secularism, says Amit Shah

Questioning the secular credentials of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that she is only concerned about fake secularism.

Shah also said that the BJP was the only party that could put an end to cross-border infiltration in Bengal. He addressed two back-to-back rallies in Ausgram in East Bardhaman district and Chapra in Nadia district. (PTI)

Polling in 15,789 polling stations spread across 45 assembly constituencies in West Bengal phase 5 elections, by-poll in two parliamentary constituencies and 12 assembly constituencies across 10 states conducted peacefully today, theElection Commission said (ANI)

Tried to discuss oxygen issue with PM on phone but he was busy in WB polls: Uddhav

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he had tried to contact Prime Minister Narendra Modi on phone regarding the oxygen supply for the state but the PM was not available since he was busy campaigning for the West Bengal elections. Speaking to industrialists and representatives of trade bodies like FICCI and CII via video conferencing, the CM also said the Centre was cooperating with the Maharashtra government. (PTI)

EC has sought a report after locals alleged that central forces opened fire in Deganga constituency of South 24 Parganas district

Modiji worries day and night about the poor. Mamata Didi worries about making her nephew CM day and night. You tell me who should vote in Bengal. Mamta Didi who worries about nephew? Or Narendra Modiji, who is worried about the poor?: Amit Shah in a rally

It istime for Mamta Didi'sfarewell with fanfare. And a big leader's farewell should be done with a big margin. If the BJP government is formed, it should be with more than 200 seats, only then will Didi bid farewell with respect: Amit Shah

As soon as BJP government is formed in Bengal, we will make the people of Matua, Namshudra community citizens of India with respect. No matter how much Didi opposes,we will give Citizenship of India to refugees under CAA: Amit Shah during a rally inAusgram

UPDATE | 69.40 per centvoter turnout recorded till 4:13 pm.

JUST IN | BJP cadres allegedly open fire in Santipur Assembly constituency in Nadia district injuring a TMC worker

I have no problem with Didi's abuses, says PM Modi

Curse me as much as you but don't forget culture of Bengal, PM Modi tells Mamata Banerjee.

Didi has only concentrated on betterment of her nephew and filling her own coffers, says PM Modi

In the last 10 years, Mamata didi's govt has only promoted locking up of industries and people leaving Bengal for other opportunities, said PM Modi.

Thermal checking at the entrance of polling station No. 94 under 261 Raina (SC) Assembly Constituency of Purba Bardhaman District. Credit: CEO West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee has an old habit of doing politics with dead bodies, claims PM Narendra Modi.

Centre formed law to free Muslim women from triple talaq, she became angry. Centre formed law to free farmers from middlemen, she opposed this. Bengal wants a double engine govt and not the one that blocks development: PM Modi (ANI).

In the last 10 years, Didi betrayed you and stood like a wall in front of the development. Centre offered the facility of free healthcare up to Rs 5 Lakh, but she opposed. Centre formed laws to help refugees, she opposed this too: PM Modi. (ANI)

Bengal will get 'double development' from the 'double engine' government in the state: Narendra Modi.

Mamata's politics is not limited to just protests, but it has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance: Narendra Modi.

People of Bengal will give Mamata Banerjee the certificate of 'former chief minister' on May 2: Narendra Modi.

Truth is, Didi has decided to take advantage of the Cooch Behar deaths, as is revealed by the leaked audio tape. It is because of Mamata Banerjee that the political violence has become rampant in Bengal: Narendra Modi.

When the central government enacted laws to free the farmers from middlemen, Didi came out in protest. The central government started transferring money directly to the bank accounts of the farmers, Didi also deprived the farmers of this: Narendra Modi.

Bengal needs a 'double-engine' government, not one that stops development: Narendra Modi.

Narendra Modi warns Mamata Banerjee that her reign in Bengal is nearing the end. . Law and order will prevail in Bengal: Narendra Modi.

Earlier people used to come to Bengal for jobs. But now, everyone is leaving this place. The 'Ma, Mati, Manush' government has established a mafia raj in this state: Narendra Modi at a rally in Asansol, Bengal.

An elderly man arrives in a wheel-chair to cast his vote during the 5th phase of West Bengal state assembly polls, in South 24 Parganas district. Credit: PTI photo.

BJP to meet Election Commission today in Kolkata, on CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee's purported audio clip over Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar violence. (ANI)

Sporadic violence marks fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas where polling was underway in the fifth phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, officials said.

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Stone pelting took place between BJP and TMC workers at Bidhannagar Assembly seat. (DHNS)

16.15% voter turnout recorded till 9:32 am in the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. Credit: Voter turnout app.

BJP booth president allegedly assaulted by TMC cadres at Kalyani Assembly constituency in Nadia district.

TMC has alleged that CRPF is not allowing a handicapped person to cast his vote at booth no.157 in Dhupguri constituency. (DHNS)

West Bengal elections: PM Modi urges voters to turn up in large numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged voters in the fifth phase of the West Bengal assembly elections to vote in large numbers.

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With thermal screening, an elderly voter is about to get in at the Polling Station No.139(Bardhaman Municipal Boys' High School)under 260-Burdwan Dakshin Assembly Constituency of Purba Bardhaman District. Photo credit: CEO West Bengal.

Voters queue up at a polling booth in Burdwan Dakshin Assembly Constituency stand in que in the early morning Saturday. Photo Credit: CEO West Bengal.

First Voter of Polling Station No. 139 (Bardhaman Municipal Boys' High School) under 260 - Burdwan Dakshin Assembly Constituency of Purba Bardhaman District. Photo Credit: CEO West Bengal.

The presiding officer is allegedly not allowing AITC voters to vote without a voter info slip, despite the voters' name being present in the voter list at booth no 65 and booth no 80 in the Nagrakata constituency. (DHNS)

BJP workers are allegedly obstructing the voters to cast their vote at booth no. 223 in Maynaguri constituency. (DHNS)

Thermal checking is going on at the entrance of Polling Station No 96 under 22 Kalimpong Assembly Constituency of Kalimpong District. Photo Credit: CEO West Bengal.

Mamata's purported conversation with TMC nominee after Sitalkuchi firing stirs row

A controversy erupted on Friday after the BJP released a purported audio clip in which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is heard telling the Trinamool Congress nominee of Sitalkuchi to hold rallies with bodies of the four persons killed in CISF firing during polling on April 10.

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Valuables worth Rs 1,000 crore seized in polls so far

With the Election Commission (EC) deploying multiple agencies to prevent misuse of money to win votes in the Assembly polls, cash and valuables worth over Rs 1,000 crore were seized in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.

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Polling officials are seen with EVMs and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) units before they leave for their respective polling stations ahead of the fifth phase of the West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections. Credit: AFP photo