West Bengal Elections Highlights: I can see rise of an aspirational, optimistic Bengal in these polls, says PM Modi at virtual rally

The sixth phase of polling in the West Bengal polls saw 79 per cent voter turnout, marked with stray incidents of violence. PM Modi addresses rallies in Suri, Malda, Berhampore, and Bhawanipur via video conferencing after cancelled his visit to the state over high-level meetings on Covid-19 situation.

Thank you for following the live coverage of the West Bengal Assembly polls on DH. We will be back with more updates!

Record investment is coming to India. We want a major chunk of this to be used in Bengal to promote every form of industry and employment. BJP government will try its best to ensure this: PM Modi

Kolkata is known as the "City of Joy". Through modern infrastructure, it will be developed and will also be known as the City of Future, says PM Modi at virtual rally

Under the PM Awas Yojana, more than two crore houses have been built for the poor by our government across the country. After the formation of the BJP government in Bengal, the pace of house construction for the poor will be increased:, says PM Modi

Bengal is waiting for governance where every department of the govt works honestly & carries out its duty. Free of discrimination & full of harmony. Bengal is voting for such a govt: PM addresses virtual rallies in Suri, Malda, Berhampore, & Bhawanipur

West Bengal Elections are not just for a change in the govt, I can see the rise of an aspirational and optimistic West Bengal in these polls, says Modi

Be it villages or cities, I can see yearning for a better life, better education, better employment and better option everywhere, says PM Modi.

So far, the people of Bengal have voted in great numbers, this is an inspiration for the entire country. Continue to cast your votes. There are two phases, but you have to get out only once. Follow all the norms when you are voting. Follow the Covid-19 protocols seriously, says PM Modi

After 4 decades, to strengthen democracy, people with great excitement have come forward. This is a chance to exercise your power and vote for the government of choice, says PM Modi.

PM Modi addresses rallies via video conferencing

Due to the Covid-19 situation in the country, I was busy in important meetings since this morning. I am connecting with you now through technology: PM Modi addresses rallies in Suri, Malda, Berhampore, and Bhawanipur via video conferencing

Resurgence of coronavirus in the country is Modi-made disaster : Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday sharpened her attack against the prime minister over resurgence of COVID-19 in the country calling it "Modi-made disaster" and demanded that he quit if he cannot provide adequate medicine to fight the disease.

She alleged that 65 per cent of the drugs manufactured in the country for tackling the pandemic have been exported.

"The Covid-19 pandemic had subsided in the country but has made a resurgence owing to the monumental failure of the central government and negligence and total incompetence on its part," she said addressing public meetings at Chanchal in Malda and at Harirampur in Dakshin Dinajpur districts.

As the Election Commission did not accede to Trinamool Congress' request to hold the last three of the eight-phase election in West Bengal on a single day, Banerjee said she is having to take care of the sharp rise in the pandemic in the state as its chief minister as well as the election campaign for Trinamool Congress, her party. - PTI

PM Modi to address West Bengal virtually at 5 PM today

Mamata Banerjee to hold press conference at Durgapur today

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during an election campaign rally in support of party candidates for the Assembly Polls, in Malda district. Credit: PTI/TMC Photo

In Pics | How West Bengal voted in the sixth phase of assembly polls

Nearly 80 per cent voter turnout marked the sixth phase of polling on Thursday in WestBengalassembly election, which was marred by sporadic incidents of violence, firing by state police and an assault on a candidate.

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Stray violence marks sixth phase of West Bengal polls

Stray violence marred the sixth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday when 43 constituencies in four districts went to the polls. Several clashes between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP cadres came to blows in several places of the State during the fifth phase of polling.

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Modi mentioned 2018 Asansol riots in speech to provoke voters, says Mamata

WestBengalChief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded people of 2018 Asansol riots during his rally last week to "provoke" voters amid the ongoing elections, and asserted that it was "unbecoming" of someone of his stature.

The TMC boss, who addressed three rallies during the day, said it was a "matter of shame" that the PM, with his "provocative" remarks, tried to influence people. - PTI

Calcutta HC expresses displeasure over EC’s implementation of Covid protocols

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday expressed its displeasure over the Election Commission’s (EC) over enforcement of Covid-19 health protocols during the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Division Bench of Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan and Justice Arjit Banerjee stated that the EC cannot fulfill it’s duties just by issuing circulars and holding meetings on Covid-19 health norms.

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PM cancels Bengal visit, says will chair meets on Covid

As Covid-19 cases spiralled and health infrastructure in a number of states gasped for breath, sending the government into a tizzy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his proposed visit to West Bengal on Friday to address election rallies.

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

With the second wave of the Covid-19 hitting West Bengal along with the rest of the country, the Election Commission on Thursdayimposed a blanket banonroad-shows and bike ralliesby the political partiesinthe state’sremaining 69 assembly constituencies, where voting would take place in the last two phases of polling.

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Illegal immigrants are Didi's vote bank: Amit Shah

Lashing out at Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee for her “outsider” jibe to BJP leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that it was the illegal immigrants whom she considers as her vote bank were the real outsiders.

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

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday 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.

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Cong takes dig at EC over restrictions announced on poll campaigning in West Bengal

After the Election Commission (EC) imposed strict restrictions on holding public rallies and poll campaigning inWestBengal, the Congress said the direction has come late as the Assembly elections in four states and a Union Territory are almost over.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!. What a strong direction by ECI after elections are over in 4 States and nearly over in the fifth State," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wrote on Twitter. - PTI