West Bengal Assembly Elections highlights: Modi's speech at Matua temple in Bangladesh is with an eye on votes, says Mamata

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 79.79 per cent turnout recorded till 5 pm, officials said. Analysts have pointed out that it is likely to be a highly polarised contest between the TMC and the BJP as the Left Front and Congress are struggling to retain political relevance in Bengal.

"High voter turnout in the first phase of West Bengal elections makes it clear that BJP is going to achieve great success in each phase of polls. The trend shows that BJP will form the government with a clear majority," saysDefence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh.

Mamata accuses Modi of speaking at Matua temple with an eye on WB polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Matua temple at Orakandi in Bangladesh was with an eye on elections in West Bengal.

The TMC supremo also alleged that Modi violated the model code of conduct through his speech at the temple, holy to the Matua community spread over India and Bangladesh. However, Modi in his speech at the temple had not made any election promises. (PTI)

Sporadic violence marks first phase of Bengal polls, 79.79 per cent turnout till 5pm

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various places that went to polls on Saturday during the first phase of the West Bengal assembly election, even as the overall poll situation was largely peaceful with 79.79 per cent turnout recorded till 5 pm, an official said.

Voting was held in 30 seats - several of them part of the once-Naxal-hit Jangalmahal region -- amid tight security and strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines, the Election Commission (EC) official said. (PTI)

Activists of BJP, TMC clash in Nandigram, three injured

A clash broke out on Saturday between activists of the BJP and the TMC in Purba Medinipur's Nandigram constituency — which is set to go to polls on April 1 — leaving at least three persons seriously injured, a senior police officer here said.

Seikh Sufiyan, the election agent of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, however, claimed that goons hired by the BJP carried out an attack on the workers of the state's ruling party, a charge denied by the saffron camp.

"All three, who sustained injuries during the attack, are activists of the TMC. They were rushed to SSKM hospital in Kolkata. The condition of one of them has been stated to be serious," Sufiyan said. (PTI)

Cong-Left-ISF alliance fighting for political relevance, hopes to be kingmaker

With the poll narrative for the assembly poll in West Bengal sharply polarised between the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, the Congress-Left-ISF alliance is fighting to prove its political relevance and is pinning its hopes on being the kingmaker in case of a fractured mandate.

The Congress and CPI-M-led Left Front, which has beenpushed to the margins of Bengal's politics after ruling for most of the first six decades after independence, came together for the second time after the 2016 assembly polls. (PTI)

BJP bringing in goons from outside, theyurge women of the state to confront the hoodlums with 'hata' & 'khunti' (ladle & spatula), says CM Mamata Banerjee. (PTI)

Mamata's purported audio clip seeking help from BJP leader to win Nandigram stirs row in Bengal

A huge controversy erupted on Saturday amid the polling for 30 assembly seats in West Bengal, with the BJP releasing an audio clip where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is purportedly heard cajoling a BJP leader from Nandigram to rejoin the TMC and help her win the seat.

Banerjee is pitted against her former protege and now the BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, the spring board that propelled her to power in 2011, dislodging the Left Front from power after a 34-year unbroken rule. (PTI)

TMC delegation urges EC to revert to earlier practice of having polling agents who are voters in assembly segment where booth is located. The rule has been relaxed recently. (PTI)

70.17% of 73.80 lakh voters exercise their franchise till 3 pm in 30 seats where polling is underway for first phase

Sometimes they say Mamata has brought people from Bangladesh and did infiltration. But he (PM) himself goes to Bangladesh for vote marketing: West Bengal CMMamata Banerjee said in a rally in Kharagpur.

Mamata accuses PM Modi of violating Model Code of Conduct

BJP delegation met EC following attack on BJP leader & Suvendu Adhikari's brother, Soumendu Adhikari

1st election in 6 years with fewer instances of rigging & violence. To avoid even 10% of such cases in 2nd phase, we demanded EC round-up anti-social elements: BJP Gen Secy

(ANI)

55.27% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India.

TMC asks EC to bring back rule which allowed parties to appoint only locals as poll booth agents

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Voters wait at a polling booth to cast their votes during the first phase of State Assembly polls, in Midnapore, Saturday, March 27, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

Why PM Modi is reaching out to Matua community in Bangladesh

As polling for the 30 seats in the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited two Hindu temples outside Dhaka, which are places of worship, particularly of the Hindu Matua community, whose members reside in West Bengal.

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54.90% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India.

Sporadic violence marks Phase I of West Bengal polls; 36.09% turnout till 11 am

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 36.09 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.

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A kite-maker makes kites with symbols of political parties, in the view of Assembly polls, in Nadia district, Saturday, March 27, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

40.73% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India.

The new system is not acceptable to us. We demand that from the next phase the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth. CEO has assured us to look into the matter: TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay

(ANI)

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses rally at Public meeting at Pingla, Paschim Medinipur

One killed as restive West Bengal votes

One person was killed and a candidate's car was attacked Saturday as West Bengal held elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking to unseat one of his fiercest opponents.

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Under the leadership of TMC block president Ram Govind Das and his wife poll rigging was underway at three polling booths. My arrival here created problem for them to continue with their mischiefs so they attacked my car and thrashed my driver: Soumendu Adhikari, BJP leader.

I got to know that vehicle (of Soumendu Adhikari) was attacked in Contai with help of TMC block president Ram Govind Das. Soumendu isn't injured. Driver was beaten up. I've informed Police Observer: Dibyendu Adhikari, TMC leader & brother of Soumendu Adhikari (ANI)

Whenever someone calls, before saying hello, say Jai Bangla, so the message reaches BJP that they can never "infiltrate" the state: Mamata at rally

Amit Shah instructs CBI, ED officials, orchestrates riots... they have killed many in Gujarat, UP, I am fighting alone... won't be able to defeat Mamata: CM at rally

This is not Bihar or UP, we love people who who have migrated to WB from these states but condemn the goons: Mamata

Will throw BJP out with one functional leg... I run on treadmill for 2 hours, not that cheap... Khela hobe... Khelte hobe...: Mamata appeals to mothers and sisters of Bengal not to vote for "devil" BJP

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses rally at Narayangarh, Paschim Medinipur

TMC knows that it is losing & that's why it is saying all this. For such complaints, TMC should go to the Election Commission. TMC & Mamata Banerjee are under pressure and that is why they are saying such things: Ghosh on TMC alleging rigging of polls

BJP State President and MP Dilip Ghosh. Credit: PTI File Photo

24.61% voter turnout recorded till 11 am, in the first phase of polling West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India

(ANI)

TMC releases list of ACs where CRPF related issues were reported, till 11 am

"Voted for TMC but VVPAT showed them the BJP symbol"

Bharatiya Janata Party delegation led by party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya to meet CEO West Bengal at 2 pm, today. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty along with BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting ahead of West Bengal Assembly Polls, at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, Sunday, March 7, 2021. Credit: PTI File Photo

Chandana Bauri, BJP Candidate Saltora. Photo Credit: BJP West Bengal

Read more about Chandana Bauri here.

Saumitra Khan, MP, Bishnupur casts his vote at Saltora, Part No. 260.

Photo Credit: BJP West Bengal

BJP people had applied colour over the TMC slot of the machine. Once the TMC voters are coming out, BJP party workers are threatening them: TMC

District- Purbo Medinipur
AC Name - Bhagwanpur
Booth no- 205, 205 A
Anchal Name- Arjunnagar

TMC alleges violence, bombs at polling booths, says party agents not being able to reach polling booths here:

East Midnapore

Bhagabanpur AC
Arjun Nagar GP (Booth no. 196 to 213)

Bhupatinagar
Boroch GP (236 to 252)

Voter turnout at 10:10 am: 15.30%

Long queue of voters at a polling booth in West Medinipur district. Credit: Special Arrangement

7.72% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India

Women in Bengal will continue to wear sarees any way they want: Derek O'Brien

TMC will win Bengal. Bengal's daughter will defeat Bengal's traitor in his own backyard at Nandigram, members of tourist gang will continue to do what they do best -- try & destroy institutions in India: Derek O'Brien (ANI)

TMC MP Derek O'Brien. Credit: PTI File Photo

TMC releases list of ACs where EVM malfunctioning has been reported till 9 am

Central forces are influencing the people in Manjushree GP to vote for BJP: TMC

10 MPs of AITC will visit State EC today at 12 noon to raise some serious concerns. They will also do a presser outside EC office.

He later went there again & met people. We approached EC that there should be free & fair polls. People will choose whom they want. TMC is scared. We've given name of one Alauddin to EC, he creates disturbance there: Soumendu Adhikari (ANI)

Home Minister Amit Shah urges voters to cast their votes in "maximum numbers to restore the glory of Bengal."

Voters being influenced & stopped from voting at booth number 149. Overall polling being held peacefully. EVMs malfunctioning at some locations, it happens in all polls, EC is looking into it: Soumendu Adhikari, brother of Suvendu Adhikari (ANI)

Suvendu Adhikari. Credit: PTI File Photo

CPI(M) candidate from Salboni, Sushtanta Ghosh, heckled by TMC workers. The vehicle of a private news channel was also allegedly vandalised by them in Salboni.

"7-8 TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters"

Voting underway smoothly in Midnapore town. But, at some places in rural areas, TMC workers are trying to create a disturbance. At booth no. 266 & 267, 7-8 TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters. We've complained to EC: BJP candidate from West Midnapore, Samit Das

(ANI)

Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, MP, Purulia cast his vote at Bagmundi Assembly constituency. Photo Credit: BJP West Bengal

Two TMC cadres have been allegedly assaulted by BJP workers in Purulia town of Purulia district. BJP leadership has denied the allegation.

BJP alleges that one of its polling agents at Keshiary in West Medinipur district have been assaulted by TMC cadres. They further alleged that he sustained head injury in the attack. TMC denied the allegation.

The Trinamool Congress is contesting 29 of the 30 seats, while supporting an Independent in the Joypur assembly segment in Purulia as the nomination of its official candidate Ujjwal Kumar was rejected by the EC due to a discrepancy.

"TMC knows that it will not be able to do anything in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Hence they are trying to intimidate voters," says West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh.

Your vote for good governance will ensure a bright future with progress, prosperity & development for all, says Piyush Goyal in tweet.

Voters queue up in front of a polling booth in West Bengal's Jhargram district. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Large queue being seen at polling booths in Medinipur constituency of West Bengal. Credit: Twitter Photo/@airnewsalerts

The elections, which will continue till 6 pm, are being held amid tight security with the Election Commission deploying around 730 companies of central forces, guarding 10,288 polling booths housed in 7,061 premises, officials said.

The elections are being held following Covid-19 guidelines in all nine seats in Purulia, four in Bankura, four in Jhargram and six in Paschim Medinipur, besides the seven seats in high-stakes Purba Medinipur -- the home turf of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari

More than 73 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 191 candidates in these seats, most of which are located in the once-Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal region.

PM Modi asks voters to exercise their franchise in 'record numbers'

"Today, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers," tweets PM Modi.

Phase I of West Bengal Assembly polls on March 27 | All you need to know

As the state readies for the eight-phased elections to the 294-member Assembly seats which will be held from March 27 to April 29, here is a rundown on constituencies that are holding polls in the first phase and the major candidates in the fray:

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First phase voting of Assembly Elections in West Bengal.

West Bengal witnesses several incidents of violence before the start of Phase 1 of polling

Several incidents of violence took place in West Bengal ahead of the first phase of polling for the Assembly elections on Saturday. Hours before the polling starts, TMC and BJP workers clashed in Contai East and Contai West Assembly constituencies. Several people from both sides sustained injuries after allegedly hurling crude bombs at each other.

An Officer-in-Charge of Potashpur police station in East Medinipur district sustained injuries while trying bring a clash between the TMC and BJP cadres under control late on Friday night.

Indian economy has gone for a toss, there is no growth except for PM Modi's beard: Mamata Banerjee

"India's economy has gone for a toss. There is no industrial growth. There is no growth except for the beard of Narendra Modiji. At times he dresses like Rabindranath Tagore and at time likes Mahatma Gandhi," she said mocking the prime minister.

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Preparations underway at a polling booth inEast Midnapore, ahead of voting for the first phase West Bengal elections today

West Bengal Assembly Election Result 2016

Speak Out: March 27, 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his beard, saying its growth is inversely proportional to the state of economy.

Banerjee, who was addressing poll rallies in Paschim Medinipur district, also called the BJP the "biggest fraud party". The TMC supremo, who is contesting assembly election from the high-profile Nandigram seat in Purba Medinipur district, said she will stay put there till the end of polling in the constituency on April 1 as the BJP may "loot votes by using goons from other states".

Watch DH's playlist of West Bengal Assembly election videos here

The CPI(M) has 10 (56%) out of 18 candidates, the BJP has 12 (41%) out of 29 candidates, TMC has 10 (35%) out of 29 candidates, Congress has 2 (33%) out of 6 candidates, SUCI-C has 3 (11%) out of 28 candidates and the BSP has 1( 9%) out of 11 candidates who have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavits.

According to a report released by the West Bengal Elections Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 48 (25%) out of the 191 candidates in the first phase have declared criminal cases against them. It also stated that 42 (22%) candidates have declared serious criminal cases against them.