West Bengal: Women stage protest in Malda over lack of development; security personnel deployed

The News Mill

High Voter Turnout in Third Phase; Clashes and Allegations Mar West Bengal and UP Voting

High Voter Turnout in Third Phase; Clashes and Allegations Mar West Bengal and UP Voting Nearly 65 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories with stray incidents of violence in West Bengal. Assam recorded the highest turnout at 81.71 per cent followed by West Bengal at 76.52 per cent and Goa at 75.20 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest at 57.34 per cent, with Bihar at 58.18 per cent, Gujarat at 59.51 per cent and Maharashtra at 61.44 per cent doing slightly better, according to the figures from the Election Commission at 12.15 am. The overall voting percentage was 64.58 per cent. According to the EC, the figures are an ''approximate trend'' and are likely to rise as data is being collected. While the official time for the voting to conclude is 6 pm, it can go beyond to enable voters who have come in the queue before the end of fixed polling hours to exercise their franchise. Among other states and UTs, Chhattisgarh recorded 71.06 per cent polling, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 69.87 per cent, Karnataka 70.41 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 66.05 per cent, according to the EC. As many as 17.24 crore people, including 8.39 crore females, were eligible to vote in the third phase and 1.85 lakh polling stations manned by 18.5 lakh officials had been set up. With this, voting has been completed in 20 states/UTs and 282 Lok Sabha seats out of 543. The overall voting percentage in the first and second phases was 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held in 25 seats. While PM Modi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah voted at a polling booth in Ahmedabad. Shah (Gandhinagar) is among the bigwigs in the fray along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). The stakes are high for the BJP in this round as it had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Both the BJP and the INDIA bloc claimed that they had the upper hand after the third phase. ''Across all the states and UTs, voters from all walks of life have placed their faith in the NDA and our development agenda. INDI Alliance is losing even more steam, thanks to their regressive economics and outdated votebank politics,'' Modi said on X. The Congress claimed that the BJP has been wiped out in the south and reduced to half of its strength after the three phases ''Its very clear that for the BJP, it is South mein Saaf, North mein Half,'' Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X. In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP workers were trying to ''loot booths'' in Mainpuri and people from opposition parties were being detained in police stations. Yadav cast his vote in Saifai (Etawah) in Mainpuri constituency where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting. Sporadic incidents of violence marred the polling in the four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to state election officials, Murshidabad registered the highest voter turnout of 80.13 per cent followed by Maldaha Dakshin (76.15 pc), Maldaha Uttar (75.92 pc), and Jangipur (73.71 pc). The TMC, BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. ''The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission,'' Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim said in Murshidabad seat. In the Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from the Domkol area. In some areas, TMC workers held protests alleging that central forces were assisting BJP workers in ''intimidating'' voters at booths in the Maldaha North constituency. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 53.99 per cent polling, Aonla 57.08 per cent, Budaun 54.05 per cent, Bareilly 57.88 per cent, Etah 59.17 per cent, Fatehpur Sikri 57.09 per cent, Firozabad 58.22 per cent, Hathras 55.36 per cent, Mainpuri 58.59 per cent and Sambhal 62.81 per cent. ''In Mainpuri, BJP people are trying to loot booths. They are detaining opposition people in police stations,'' SP chief Yadav alleged without elaborating. ''There is information from some places that the government is using force. It is heard that officers have been deployed outside polling booths,'' he said. In Budaun, the villagers of Dhoranpur boycotted the polling to protest against the alleged non-fulfilment of their demand for a road. District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said the issue has come to his notice and a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been sent to the village. Not a single vote was also cast in three villages of Firozabad -- Nagla Jawahar, Neem Kheria and Nagla Umar -- as the villagers tried to draw the administration's attention to their problems. SP candidate Aditya Yadav in Budaun alleged that his party supporters were not being allowed to vote in some places. ''I have made a complaint in this regard with the EC observer and have given proof of police atrocities. We are only getting assurances,'' he said. Queues were seen at polling booths in most Lok Sabha segments in northern districts of Karnataka. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes. Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa along with sons B Y Raghavendra, BJP candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha segment, and B Y Vijayendra, party's state president, along with other family members cast their vote at Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Two government officials on poll duty died in Karnataka after suffering a heart attack, sources in the Election Commission said. A 45-year-old woman polling officer - Kaushika Babariya- deployed at a polling booth in Amreli district of Gujarat, also died of a heart attack. In Gujarat, the Banaskantha district collector ordered an inquiry after Congress Lok Sabha candidate Geniben Thakor alleged that electors were threatened and asked to vote for the BJP by some youngsters posing as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at a polling station. In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar, who is the NCP candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who cast their votes. Sharad Pawar was welcomed with a traditional 'aarti' as he arrived at a polling booth in the Malegaon area of Baramati constituency in Pune district. Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar cast their votes at a polling booth in Katewadi area of Baramati. Sunetra is pitted against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and the sitting MP from there. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and daughter Sukanya Sarma exercised his franchise at Amingaon in Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. Amid rains, people used different modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies. With the BJP bagging Surat unopposed, 25 seats in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat went to polls on Tuesday, besides 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the remaining 14 of the 28 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, and all two in Goa. Voting was held in two seats in Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and nine seats in Madhya Pradesh, including Betul where elections were earlier deferred. Over 1,331 candidates, including around 120 women, were in the fray in the third phase. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.

West Bengal's Lok Sabha Phase 3: 73.93% Voter Turnout Amid Trinamul-BJP-CPI(M) Tussle

Kolkata: The third phase of Lok Sabha Election covering four parliamentary constituencies two each in Malda and Murshidabad districts in West Bengal, recorded 73.93% voter's turnout amid some stray incidents of tussle among Trinamul Congress, BJP and CPI(M) on Tuesday. In Malda, Malda Uttar and Malda Dakshin seats saw 73.30% and 73.68% polling respectively. In Murshidabad, Jangipur and Murshidabad seats witnessed 72.13% and 76.49% polling. The day also witnessed the assembly bypoll at Bhagwangola in Murshidabad where voter's turnout clocked 73.68% dropping from 85.63% registered in the assembly election in 2021. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, a total of 433 complaints were received from various political parties during the polling at the four parliamentary constituencies. CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Salim, who contested at Murshidabad this time, was seen going after fake polling agents at many booths. He was however gheraoed by TMC workers in protest of his act. This led to a tussle. Meanwhile bombs were hurled at Hariharpara and Domkal on Monday night to terrorise the voters. TMC-backed miscreants threatened the CPI(M) workers not to vote. Two CPI(M) polling agents were assaulted while their motorbikes were damaged. At Jangipur, BJP candidate Dhananjoy Ghosh and TMC leader Goutam Ghosh got engaged in a scuffle in front of Ajagarpara polling station. The central paramilitary forces separated them. At Shamsherganj which is under the Malda Dakshin seat, two Congress polling agents and workers were admitted to hospital with injuries after they were severely beaten up. At Mirzapur, two groups of TMC workers clashed over supporting ISF candidate. Police dispersed them by lathicharge. On the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, TMC supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee claimed at party rallies in Bankura and Purulia, Modi Magic is overI have never seen such a lying Prime Minister ever. When children lie, they are disciplined by their mothers. But when a PM lies, people should ensure justice by voting him out and ensuring that he never assumes power again.

Patna emerges as India's most flood-prone city, reveals recent study

Patna emerges as India's most flood-prone city, reveals recent study Patna experiences the worst floods in India, followed by West Bengal's Murshidabad and Maharashtra's Thane, according to a district-level flood severity index (DFSI) developed by researchers at IIT-Delhi and IIT-Roorkee. The index takes into account the historical severity of floods based on the number of affected people, the spread and duration of floods. The researchers said the top 10 districts where flood severity is the highest are: Patna, Murshidabad, Thane, North 24 Parganas (West Bengal), Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Ballia (Uttar Pradesh), East Champaran (Bihar), and East Medinipur (West Bengal). These are followed by Muzaffarnagar (Bihar), Lakhimpur (Assam), Kota (Rajasthan), Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Malda (West Bengal), Rajkot (Gujarat), Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Aurangabad (Bihar), Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Jalpaiguri (West Bengal), Darjeeling (West Bengal), Dibrugarh (Assam), Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh), Chamoli (Uttarakhand), West Champaran (Bihar), Amravati (Maharashtra), Medinipur West (West Bengal), and Samastipur (Bihar). Though Chamoli in Uttarakhand does not face recurrent floods, it appears on this list because of a few isolated highly damaging flood events. Among the 30 districts facing the highest risk of floods, 17 are in the Ganga basin and three are in the Brahmaputra basin. Among all the Indian river basins, the Ganga basin has the highest population, and its high flood proneness is worrisome, said the researchers, including Manabendra Saharia, an assistant professor at IIT-Delhi. Assam experiences the highest number of floods in India, having faced more than 800 flood events over 56 years. The other flood-prone states, in descending order of flood events, include Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Data from 1967 to 2023 shows that Thiruvananthapuram has experienced more than 231 floods or more than four events per year on average. Five districts -- Thiruvananthapuram, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Kamrup, and Nagaon -- have been categorised as ''severely flood-prone,'' having recorded more than 178 floods, or more than three events per year on average. The researchers said localised intense rainfall events are likely to rise in the future due to climate change, and therefore, more flash floods are expected. Under the warming climate, the frequency of cyclones will increase, and coastal and nearby inland areas will face more instances of intense rainfall and floods. It is also likely that areas that are not currently flood-prone may begin to see flooding. The researchers said human fatality due to floods is nearly stable or has come down in recent times due to better management despite an increase in the population in India. The number of deaths is around 1,000 per year since 2015, the data showed.

TMC protests against BJPs Sreerupa Choudhary at polling station in Malda

The News Mill

LS elections third phase: Around 50 per cent polling recorded till 3 pm

New Delhi: A voter turnout of 50.71 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday with sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal. West Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 63.11 per cent followed by Assam at 63.08 per cent, while Maharashtra witnessed the lowest at 42.63 per cent. According to the Election Commission, a voting percentage of 50.71 was recorded till 3 PM. The voting which started at 7 am will continue till 6 pm. A voter turnout of 47.03 per cent was recorded in 25 Lok Sabha seats of Gujarat, an Election Commission (EC) official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise the state. While PM Modi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah voted at a polling booth in Ahmedabad. Shah (Gandhinagar) is among the bigwigs in the fray in this phase along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, close to 46.78 per cent polling was recorded in 10 seats. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP workers were trying to loot booths in Mainpuri and people from opposition parties were being detained in police stations. Yadav cast his vote in Saifai (Etawah) in Mainpuri constituency where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting. Among other states, Assam recorded 63.08 per cent polling, Bihar 46.69 per cent, Chhattisgarh 58.19 per cent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 52.43 per cent, Goa 61.39 per cent, Karnataka 54.20 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 54.09 per cent, according to the EC. Sporadic incidents of violence marred the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to officials, Murshidabad registered the highest voter turnout with 65.40 per cent followed by Maldaha Dakshin (62.90), Jangipur (62.57), and Maldaha Uttar (61.50). The TMC, the BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. In Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a fake booth agent in the Rabinagar area of the constituency. Salim faced go back slogans as he tried to enter a booth there following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons. The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission, Salim said. In the Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from the Domkol area. BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres in the Jangipur area as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 43.67 per cent polling, Aonla 46.75 per cent, Budaun 45.44 per cent, Bareilly 45.96 per cent, Etah 48.93 per cent, Fatehpur Sikri 46.18 per cent, Firozabad 47.80 per cent, Hathras 44.63 per cent, Mainpuri 46.80 per cent and Sambhal 52.24 per cent In Mainpuri, BJP people are trying to loot booths. They are detaining opposition people in police stations, SP chief Yadav alleged without elaborating. He also alleged rigging of votes at some places and said, Information is coming from some places that the government is using force. It is heard that officers have been deployed outside polling booths. In Budaun, the villagers of Dhoranpur boycotted the polling to protest against the alleged non-fulfilment of their demand for a road. District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said the issue has come to his notice and a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been sent to the village. Not a single vote was also cast in three villages of Firozabad -- Nagla Jawahar, Neem Kheria and Nagla Umar -- as the villagers tried to draw the administration's attention to their problems. SP candidate Aditya Yadav in Budaun alleged that SP supporters were not being allowed to vote in some places. I have made a complaint in this regard with the EC observer and have given proof of police atrocities. We are only getting assurances, he said. SP candidate Zia-ur-Rehman Barq also alleged that a circle officer snatched voter slips from SP workers and detained them. He requested the EC to remove the officer immediately. Queues were seen at polling booths in most Lok Sabha segments in northern districts of Karnataka. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes in Karnataka. Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa along with sons B Y Raghavendra, BJP candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha segment and B Y Vijayendra, party's state President -- and daughters-in-law cast their vote at Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Two government officials on poll duty died in Karnataka after suffering a heart attack, sources in the Election Commission said. In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar, who is the NCP candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who cast their votes. Sharad Pawar was welcomed with a traditional 'aarti' as he arrived at a polling booth in the Malegaon area of Baramati constituency in Pune district. Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar cast their votes at a polling booth in Katewadi area of Baramati. Sunetra is pitted against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and the sitting MP from there. In Assam, people lined up in large numbers across four Lok Sabha constituencies to cast their vote. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and daughter Sukanya Sarma exercised his franchise at Amingaon in Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. People used all modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies to exercise their democratic franchise amid rain. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray in the third phase. Voting was completed in 189 seats out of 543 seats in the first two phases. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.

Around 49.27 pc turnout till 1 PM in Bengal

Kolkata, May 7 (UNI) Bengal witnessed an estimated 49.27 per cent turnout in the first till 1 PM on Tuesday in the third phase election to four Lok Sabha seats. While Murshidabad recorded 50.58 per cent polling, Jangipur recorded 49.91 per cent, Malda (North) 47.89 per cent and Malda (South) 48.65 per cent.Bypoll is also... The post Around 49.27 pc turnout till 1 PM in Bengal first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Sporadic incidents of violence mar third phase polls in Bengal

KOLKATA: Sporadic incidents of violence marred the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in the four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. The TMC, the BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the first few hours of polling, sources from the parties said. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. According to officials, around 32.82 per cent polling was reported till 11am, with Jangipur recording the highest turnout of 33.81 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin (33.09), Murshidabad (32.72) and Maldaha Uttar (31.73). Additionally, 29.39 per cent voting was recorded in the assembly bypoll in Murshidabad's Bhagawangola. All the four seats are minority-dominated, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) holding Murshidabad and Jangipur, while the BJP has Maldaha North, and Maldaha South is represented by the Congress. In Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a fake booth agent in Rabinagar area of the constituency. In Rabinagar area, Salim was greeted with go back slogans as he tried to enter a booth following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons. The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commision, Salim said. Salim was seen shuttling from one booth to another as allegations of intimidation of voters surfaced in the area. The CPI (M) along with Congress goons are trying to intimidate the voters. There has been resistance from the masses, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta said. In Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from Domkol area. In Jangipur area, BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. If such hooliganism continues, there could be a rerun of Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi incident, he said. Ghosh was referring to the Sitalkuchi firing incident in the 2021 assembly polls when four persons were killed after central forces opened fire to control a mob. The TMC has complained to the EC against Ghosh, accusing him of intimidating voters. @BJP4India's thirst for violence never ends! Their MP candidate from Jangipur, Dhananjay Ghosh, stormed in with CRPF thugs and harassed our Block President. @ECISVEEP, when will you grow a spine and stand against this hooliganism? the AITC posted on X. In Englishbazar area, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents, similar complaints were lodged by the Congress against the state's ruling party from Ratua area in Malda. In some areas, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths in the Maldaha North constituency. Altogether 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm.

Bengal Assembly election phase 3: Sporadic violence mars polls, BJP candidate injured

Bengal Assembly election phase 3: Sporadic violence mars polls, BJP candidate injured Sporadic incidents of violence marred the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in the four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. The TMC, the BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the first few hours of polling, sources from the parties said. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. According to officials, around 32.82 per cent polling was reported till 11am, with Jangipur recording the highest turnout of 33.81 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin (33.09), Murshidabad (32.72) and Maldaha Uttar (31.73). Additionally, 29.39 per cent voting was recorded in the assembly bypoll in Murshidabad's Bhagawangola. All the four seats are minority-dominated, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) holding Murshidabad and Jangipur, while the BJP has Maldaha North, and Maldaha South is represented by the Congress. In Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a ''fake booth agent'' in Rabinagar area of the constituency. In Rabinagar area, Salim was greeted with ''go back'' slogans as he tried to enter a booth following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons. ''The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commision,'' Salim said. Salim was seen shuttling from one booth to another as allegations of intimidation of voters surfaced in the area. ''The CPI (M) along with Congress goons are trying to intimidate the voters. There has been resistance from the masses,'' TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta said. In Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from Domkol area. In Jangipur area, BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. ''If such hooliganism continues, there could be a rerun of Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi incident,'' he said. Ghosh was referring to the Sitalkuchi firing incident in the 2021 assembly polls when four persons were killed after central forces opened fire to control a mob. The TMC has complained to the EC against Ghosh, accusing him of intimidating voters. ''@BJP4India's thirst for violence never ends! Their MP candidate from Jangipur, Dhananjay Ghosh, stormed in with CRPF thugs and harassed our Block President. @ECISVEEP, when will you grow a spine and stand against this hooliganism?'' the AITC posted on X. In Englishbazar area, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents, similar complaints were lodged by the Congress against the state's ruling party from Ratua area in Malda. In some areas, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths in the Maldaha North constituency. Altogether 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm.

Peaceful Polling Begins in Four Bengal LS Seats, 15.85% Turnout Till 9 AM

Peaceful Polling Begins in Four Bengal LS Seats, 15.85% Turnout Till 9 AM Polling was underway peacefully in four Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal as 15.85 per cent turnout was recorded till 9 am on Tuesday, a poll official said. Altogether 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Voters were seen lining up outside the 7,360 polling stations in the four parliamentary constituencies of Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Murshidabad and Jangipur, he said. ''Polling has been more or less peaceful so far. A total of 15.85 per cent turnout has been recorded till 9 am,'' the official told PTI. Jangipur recorded the highest turnout of 16.95 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin (16.33), Maldaha Uttar (15.33) and Murshidabad (14.87), he said. So far, 182 complaints have been lodged with the CEO of West Bengal, he added. ''We have disposed of 16 of those complaints. We are looking to address the remaining complaints. Our officials are keeping a close watch on the proceedings,'' he said. To ensure free and fair polling, ECI has deployed 334 companies of central forces along with 13,600 state police personnel.

Third phase polling begins for four Bengal LS seats

Kolkata, May 7 (UNI) The third phase election to four Lok Sabha seats of Malda (Uttar), Malda (Dakshin), Jangipur and Murshidabad in West Bengal began at 7 AM on Tuesday under a massive security blanket with over 7.3 million electorate expected to exercise their franchise. Exactly 73,37,651 voters, including 26,12,395 women and 154 transgenders, will... The post Third phase polling begins for four Bengal LS seats first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

BJPs Nirbhoy Didi vows empowerment of women in Bengals Malda

Sreerupa Mitra Chowdhury, who is contesting from Malda Dakshin, says women in the constituency are among the most marginalised in West Bengal.

Landmark Polling in 93 Lok Sabha Seats; Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah Set to Vote in Gandhinagar

Landmark Polling in 93 Lok Sabha Seats; Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah Set to Vote in Gandhinagar Voting will be held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, with stakes being high for the BJP which had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. Among the bigwigs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). With the BJP bagging Surat unopposed, 25 seats in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat will go to polls on May 7, besides 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the remaining 14 of the 28 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, and all two in Goa. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2 seats) and nine seats in Madhya Pradesh, including Betul where elections were deferred, will also go to polls on Tuesday. Over 11 crore people will be eligible to vote in this phase. PM Modi and Shah will cast their vote at booths in Ahmedabad city under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Vidisha) and Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh) have also returned to the Lok Sabha electoral fray this time. A riveting contest is on in Maharashtra's Baramati between Sharad Pawars daughter Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, wife of the veteran leaders estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In Uttar Pradesh, the current phase is important for the Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav aiming to retain the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat. Dimple Yadav had won the seat in bypolls following the demise of her father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav. Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, the national principal general secretary of SP, will try to reclaim the Firozabad seat, which he had won in 2014. Aditya Yadav, the son of SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav, is making his electoral debut from the Budaun Lok Sabha seat, which was represented by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav in 2014. The fate of former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and AIUDF Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri) will also be decided on May 7. After the third phase, voting will be completed in 283 out of 543 seats in Lok Sabha. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4. In West Bengal, the four seats going to polls are Muslim-majority. The division of minority votes among the Left-Congress combine and the TMC and the narrative on the Citizenship Amendment Act could shape the outcome in the intense electoral battle in Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad. The Murshidabad and Jangipur Lok Sabha seats are held by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has renominated its sitting MPs Abu Taher and Bidi baron Khalilur Rehman respectively. The Bharatiya Janata Party has again fielded Khagen Murmu for the Malda Uttar seat against TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee and former Congress MLA Mostaque Alam. In the Malda Dakshin seat, the Congress has fielded Isha Khan Choudhury from the family of ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. The third phase saw the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc fiercely attacking each other on issues like reservations and sexual harassment charges against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP charge, asking the Congress to give in writing that it will not hand over the quota for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes to Muslims. The Congress and its allies accused the BJP of trying to tamper with the Constitution and do away with reservations. The principal opposition party, which has promised to remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations, also asked the BJP to clear its stance on the issue. The BJP leaders targeted the Congress over wealth redistribution and inheritance tax issues and accused it of pursuing appeasement politics, while the Congress reiterated its commitment to conduct a caste census and economic survey if voted to power. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had swept all these 14 seats in Karnataka, defeating Congress and JD(S), which were in alliance and ruling the state then. Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have attacked the BJP over allegations of sexual abuse against Prajwal Revanna, Hassan MP and leader of the JD(S) - an ally of the BJP. Hitting back, BJP leader Amit Shah and others questioned why the Congress government in Karnataka delayed the action against Revanna. The JD(S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year. Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and was the JD(S)-BJP alliance candidate from the Hassan seat which went to polls on April 26. Prajwal's father H D Revanna was arrested by Special Investigation Team on Saturday in a kidnapping case linked to sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal, soon after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea. In Gujarat, BJP's Mukesh Dalal has already won from Surat unopposed after the nomination of Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected over irregularities in the signature of proposers and other candidates withdrew. The party had swept all 26 seats in 2019. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP had bagged nine seats and Congress two seats out of the total 11 in 2019. In Assam, the BJP has put up only one candidate in this phase for the Guwahati seat, while its alliance partners AGP are contesting in two - Dhubri and Barpeta - and the UPPL in Kokrajhar. The Congress is fighting in all four seats. The constituencies going to the polls in the third phase in Bihar are Araria, Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Madhepura and Khagaria, all currently held by the NDA.

Bengal: Fate of 57 candidates to be sealed in 3rd phase on May 7

Kolkata: The fate of 57 candidates, including that of the CPI(M) Politburo member and Secretary in West Bengal Mohd Salim, will be sealed on Tuesday in the third phase of elections in four Lok Sabha constituencies. The four constituencies that will be going for polls on Tuesday include Maldaha-Uttar, Maldaha-Dakshin both in Malda District and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Polarising poll battle in Malda North pushes back roti-kapda-makaan issues

In Malda North, election dynamics are complex with religious overtones, reserved seats shifting to BJP, and Congress facing challenges. TMC secures Muslim areas, while the Matua community protests CAA, influencing the political landscape.

Minorities in Bengal wont fall to BJP, TMC polarisation, says Congresss Isha Khan Chowdhury

The last flag bearer of the Congress from the Ghani Khan family in Malda is contesting from the Malda Dakshin constituency, which his family held for the past five decades

If Modi returns to power, Constitution will be in danger: Kharge

Malda: In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday warned that a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi would spell disaster for the countrys constitutional integrity and democratic fabric. Speaking at a rally in West Bengals Sujapur in support of Congress candidates for Maldaha Uttar Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Congress President Kharge Questions BJP's Commitment to Constitutional Values

Congress President Kharge Questions BJP's Commitment to Constitutional Values In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday warned that a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi would spell disaster for the country's constitutional integrity and democratic fabric. Speaking at a rally in West Bengal's Sujapur in support of Congress candidates for Maldaha Uttar and Maldaha Dakshin Lok Sabha seats, Kharge accused Modi of promoting divisive politics fueled by hatred and polarisation. ''If Modi comes to power again, the Constitution cannot be saved and democracy will be destroyed. India will be under the rule of a dictator,'' the veteran Rajya Sabha MP said. Kharge asserted that under Modi's rule, personal freedoms and choices, including dietary preferences, are being curtailed, painting a picture of a dictatorial regime. Stating that RSS and BJP are two sides of the same coin, he said, ''Modi is imposing food habits on people. In Modi's Bharat, one has to eat and perform puja rituals as per his wish,'' Kharge said. He criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for launching hateful attacks against Rahul Gandhi, including suggestions that he should lead Pakistan instead of India. ''Why will Rahul become the PM of Pakistan! He is the son of India, his family has sacrificed everything for India,'' Kharge said. Accusing the BJP of corruption through electoral bonds and using intimidation tactics against opposition parties, Kharge depicted Modi and Amit Shah as orchestrators of a grand scheme to cleanse the BJP's image while tarnishing their adversaries. ''BJP has no right to talk on bhrashtachar. Their policy was 'chanda do, dhanda lo' (give us donation and we will help you),'' he added. He accused the BJP of intimidating the opposition parties nationally with graft charges and arrest while encouraging tainted leaders to join the saffron camp. ''Modi and Amit Shah have together turned BJP into a big laundry, a washing machine where all the stains are removed,'' he added. Kharge urged voters in Maldaha to rally behind the Congress candidates, positioning the party as the foremost bulwark against the BJP's ascendancy and advocating for a government founded on secular principles and inclusive governance. ''We are the only national party to thwart BJP's challenge and put up a secular, democratic government at the Centre,'' he added.

Campaigning ends for third phase of polling in four Bengal LS seats

KOLKATA: Campaigning for four Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal - Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Jangipur, and Murshidabad - going to polls in the third phase on May 7 came to an end at 6pm on Sunday, officials said. A total of 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 third-genders, are eligible to exercise their franchise in 7,360 polling stations. Out of the 57 candidates contesting in this phase, Jangipur has 14, Maldaha Uttar (15), Maldaha Dakshin (17) and Murshidabad (11), he said. Murshidabad will witness a key contest between senior CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim, TMC's Abu Taher Khan and BJP nominee Gouri Shankar Ghosh. In Maldaha Uttar, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has nominated former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee, while the Congress has awarded the ticket to veteran leader Mostaque Alam, and the BJP has selected Khagen Murmu as its candidate. In Maldaha Dakshin, the BJP has fielded Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, the Congress has nominated Isha Khan Choudhury, and the TMC has put forward Shahnawaz Ali Raihan. In Jangipur, Khalilur Rahaman from the TMC is competing against BJP's Dhananjay Ghosh and Congress' Khalilur Rahaman. Heavyweights such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge campaigned for their respective party candidates.

Bengal under attack: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee urges people to resist maligners

Bengal under attack: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee urges people to resist maligners Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday said people should vote against those who want to malign the image of West Bengal. Speaking at a public rally at Kaliganj in Nadia district in support of Trinamool Congress Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency candidate Mahua Maitra, Banerjee while referring to a purported video which surfaced on Saturday, claimed ''that it has been amply proved that how BJP is making tireless efforts to tarnish the image of West Bengal.'' The TMC on Saturday released a video on social media, claiming that the footage vindicated its stand that the ''BJP was behind the Sandeshkhali episode.'' The purported video, the authenticity of which was not verified by PTI, showed a local BJP leader of Sandeshkhali saying that the saffron party had paid money to women of the area to make false rape allegations against Trinamool Congress leaders. ''Defeat those who want to demean and malign Bengal for the sake of few votes'', the Trinamool Congress national general secretary said. Allegations of sexual abuse and land grab against TMC leaders have surfaced in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. The Trinamool Congress leader said the BJP government had expelled Maitra from the Lok Sabha only for raising questions against crony capitalists in Parliament. ''People of Krishnanagar had voted for Maitra as their representative in Lok Sabha. But she was expelled from the Lok Sabha by the BJP. Was there any proper investigation against her. The government failed to take action against those who had illegally entered Parliament'', Banerjee said. He said ''BJP is sowing the seeds of divisive politics. Now it is for the people to give a befitting reply by making her win by a greater margin than before and send her again to the Parliament.'' The Trinamool Congress leader claimed that it is a matter of time and BJP's exit is imminent. ''The life of the BJP government is ticking away. The exit of the saffron party is imminent'', he said. Banerjee said that it is time to install a progressive and democratic government at the Centre. This is also the time to strengthen the hands of the Trinamool Congress to help form a democratic government at the Centre. He said those who made false rape allegations, should be brought to task. Polling for the Krishnagar Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 13. Later, speaking at a road show at Malda Dakshin, he alleged that the BJP has stooped so low that it has lowered the prestige of women by making false rape allegations by them using money power. ''The saffron party has demeaned the prestige of women by making false rape allegations at Sandeshkhali. How the local BJP leaders have maligned the honour and dignity of women before their masters in Delhi. So time has come to give them a befitting reply in the elections. Now our party's stand on Sandeshkhali that it is a conspiracy of the BJP has been vindicated by the purported sting video which surfaced yesterday'', Banerjee said. ''This BJP should be ousted from power immediately which only the Trinamool Congress can do. They want to change the country's Constitution'', he said.

Bengal polls: Rift within NDA triggers three-way contests in some seats

Bengal polls: Rift within NDA triggers three-way contests in some seats As the final five phases of polls draw closer, rift among INDIA bloc partners, Congress-Left combine and the TMC, who are fighting separately has intensified, triggering a fierce contest across half of the remaining 36 constituencies in West Bengal driven by local issues such as Sandeshkhali and the SSC scam. TMC's decision to contest independently in the state, rather than as part of the bloc, has led to a three-way contest, with the other contenders being the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance. Nevertheless, both TMC and Congress have asserted that they are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and are authentic representatives of the opposition front in Bengal. Political analysts suggest that without a dominant national narrative like national security after the 2019 Pulwama attacks, local concerns such as corruption allegations, the cancellation of School Service Commission (SSC) jobs, incidents in Sandeshkhali and implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are altering election dynamics. Maidul Islam, a political scientist at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, remarked, ''Till a few months ago, it seemed the elections in Bengal will be a bipolar contest between the TMC and BJP. But with issues like corruption and Sandeshkhali gaining prominence, the Left-Congress alliance is fast gaining traction in several seats and turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 LS segments.'' He said besides the two and three seats in Malda and Murshidabad districts, where TMC and Congress secured two each and the BJP one in 2019, there are 13 seats spread across South Bengal, where the TMC and the Left-Congress alliance are engaging in intense competition. ''It's not that the Left-Congress will win many seats, but in segments where their vote share is above 10 per cent, there is a likelihood that they might influence the outcome, to the disadvantage of either the TMC or the BJP, if they manage to secure two per cent more votes,'' Islam added. According to sources in TMC and CPI(M), the electoral battleground extends beyond Malda and Murshidabad, encompassing Lok Sabha segments like Dum Dum, Srerampore, Arambagh, Hooghly, Howrah, Barrackpore, Bardhaman-Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Bankura, Purulia, Tamluk, Kolkata North, and Jadavpur, all poised for a three-cornered fight. Notably, eight of these seats were won by TMC and the remaining by BJP in the 2019 parliamentary polls. ''The shift in dynamics presents the Congress-Left alliance as a significant player, and its emergence complicates the electoral narrative, transcending the conventional TMC versus BJP dichotomy,'' political analyst Subhomoy Moitra said. While the Left Front is contesting 30 seats, the Congress has fielded candidates in 12 out of 42 seats. ''We wanted an alliance with the Congress, but they were delaying the seat-sharing arrangements, so we decided to go alone. Now the Left-Congress alliance is helping the BJP by trying to eat into our votes,'' remarked TMC leader Santanu Sen. According to TMC leaders, the breakup of INDIA alliance in Bengal has both electoral advantages and disadvantages. ''After the Left and Congress alliance fell apart in West Bengal in 2019, it had led to a four-cornered contest with BJP bagging the entire chunk of the anti-TMC votes in the state,'' they said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats and its vote share rose from 17 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, despite a 3 per cent rise in vote share, the TMC lost 12 seats, dropping from 34 to 22. The Left drew a blank with a vote share decline from 24 per cent to 6 per cent, and the Congress lost two seats, shrinking its vote share from 9.5 per cent to 5 per cent and bagging just two seats. ''Local issues such as corruption and SSC scam are helping the Left-Congress in the state as there is anger among a section of people against the TMC and also against the BJP over the perception of a tacit understanding,'' a TMC leader said. Analysts observe that Mamata Banerjee's intensified criticism of Left and Congress, accusing them of aiding BJP, and the ensuing sharp responses from CPI(M) and Congress, alleging a secret pact between TMC and BJP, as indicative of the growing significance of Left-Congress alliance. Data from various local elections and by-polls conducted after 2021 assembly elections indicate a shift in anti-TMC votes as there has been a resurgence of Left-Congress combine. Incidentally, the BJP had witnessed a decline in its vote share as compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha and 38 per cent in 2021 assembly polls. In 2023, violence scarred panchayat polls which covered nearly 70 per cent of the states electorate, the TMC had bagged 51 per cent of votes whereas the BJP had bagged 22 per cent. The Left-Congress-ISF alliance had, however, bagged 23 per cent votes. The ISF this time, however, has decided to contest alone in 17 seats. Congress leader Suvankar Sarkar emphasized, ''People are disenchanted with the TMC and the BJP, as they are both sides of the same coin. People are coming out in large numbers to support the Left-Congress candidates.'' CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed confidence in the Left-Congress alliance's potential to deliver surprising results in the elections, claiming initial success in breaking bipolar politics in Bengal. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar downplayed the significance of the rift in opposition alliance and the three-cornered fight in various seats. ''People know that BJP is only fighting TMC's misrule in Bengal. Those who want to vote against TMC, will vote for us only just like in the 2019 and 2021 polls,'' he said. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty suggested that TMC stands to gain the most from the three-cornered contest. In minority pockets, the Left-Congress alliance could dent TMC's vote base, potentially aiding BJP's prospects, he noted.

Updated: Revised News Schedule

Updated: Revised News Schedule National news schedule for Sunday, May 5 NATIONAL **** Lok Sabha elections related stories and other political developments NCR *** Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai to address 'Delhi Tamil Samagam' at Talkatora Stadium BJP press conference Stories related to Lok Sabha elections *** NORTH **** PM to address poll rallies in Etawah, Sitapur and hold roadshow in Ayodhya Rajnath Singh to campaign in Lucknow Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hold roadshow in Kharar Campaigning ends for third-phase seats in UP **** SOUTH ****Election related developments Andhra Pradesh Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh to address poll rallies Telangana: Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah to address election rallies EAST **** PM Modi to reach Odisha on a 2-day tour. BJP president JP Nadda to release party manifesto for twin polls External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to attend meetings in Cuttack and Sambalpur. Bengal: Mamata Banerjee to address rallies in Bardhaman Durgapur, Birbhum, Bolpur Abhishek Banerjee to address two rallies at Krishnanagar and Malda North Third phase campaign end stories from Bengal, Bihar and Assam Poll-related stories from states *** WEST ****BJP president J P Nadda to address poll rally at Surajpur in Surguja Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai to address press conference in Raipur Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij's press conference Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate to address press conference in Ahmedabad Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav to campaign in Vidisha, Guna and Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituencies. Sharad Pawar to address last campaign rally in Baramati in support of his daughter Supriya Sule Congress leader Girish Chodankar to address press conference in Panaji ***

As rivers eat away banks, parties look to turn erosion into a poll plank in Malda

River Ganga's course changes displace voters in Malda to Jharkhand. Erosion affects schools, residents, and triggers political actions. Farakka Barrage's impact on river course emphasized in political discourse.

Two sanitation workers die while cleaning Noida sewage shaft

NEW DELHI: Two sanitation workers, both hailing from West Bengal, died after allegedly inhaling poisonous fumes inside a sewage shaft at a house in Noida, police said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday evening when Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal were working at the residence of an individual named Sumit Chawla in Sector 26. According to police officials, both workers hailed from Malda district in West Bengal and were residing in a slum in Noida Sector 9. An individual in Noida Sector 26 had hired two persons for cleaning of the septic tank at his home. Last night, while cleaning the tank, the duo became unconscious. They were taken to a hospital but did not survive, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Vidya Sagar Mishra said. Sharing details, another police officer said the two deceased had arrived at the house at 7 pm on Friday and had entered the sewage shaft area to clean it. A source said that both men were taken to the hospital after 11.15 pm and were already dead by the time the doctors checked on them. Police said they have inspected the incident site and have informed the families of the two deceased. Here, we may recall the an October 2023 order by the Supreme Court, issuing a slew of directives to both the Union and state governments, focussing on the effective implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act of 2013. These directives encompassed active measures for rehabilitating victims and their families, providing scholarships, and skill development opportunities. While pronouncing the judgment, the top court bench comprising Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Aravind Kumar observed that large segment of Indias population continues to be involved in the practice of manual scavenging as unseen, unheard and mute in bondage, systematically trapped in inhuman conditions.

TMC blaming BJP as reality of CM Banerjee coming to fore: Phalguni Patra on Sandeshkhali sting operation video

TMC blaming BJP as reality of CM Banerjee coming to fore: Phalguni Patra on Sandeshkhali sting operation video After a video of a sting operation surfaced, alleging that West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari hatched the Sandeshkhali conspiracy, BJP Mahila Morcha President Phalguni Patra said on Saturday that the TMC is blaming the BJP as the reality of CM Mamata Banerjee is coming to the fore. TMC is blaming the BJP as the reality of CM Mamata Banerjee is coming to the fore. This is not just Malda nor Sandeshkahli; complete Bengal is suffering from a situation similar to that of Sandeshkhali. In every corner, rapes occur and Mamata Banerjee is not taking any action against the accused involved in these types of incidents, Patra said. Meanwhile, TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee warned that if the central leadership of the BJP does not issue an apology to the people of the state within 48 hours, it will be interpreted that the BJP devised a plan to belittle West Bengal. I will tell the leaders of the Centre that if you do not apologize to the people of Bengal within forty-eight hours, otherwise (it is right to think that) this conspiracy was hatched on your instructions to belittle Bengal, he said. On Saturday, a video of a sting operation surfaced that has stirred up controversy in Sandeshkhali and was broadcast by a local television channel. In the alleged video, purportedly a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal is heard saying that Sandeshkhali women, who weren't sexually assaulted, were projected as 'rape' victims at the behest of the LoP. Claiming that Suvendu 'helped' him get this done, the person in the video said that the former told him that the TMC's strongmen in the area wouldn't be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a ape case. However, the news channel that broke the alleged sting operation did not check the veracity of the clip. Earlier in the day, while sharing a clip from the alleged sting operation, Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, claimed on his official X handle that the people should see through the BJP's attempts to tarnish Bengal's image and reputation to advance and achieve its political ends. I am shocked beyond words to see the Sandeshkhali sting video. Every citizen must witness the Bangla Birodhi BJP's orchestrated attempt to defame and malign WB for their petty political ends. This abhorrent act epitomises the grossest abuse of power in history. Shame!, Abhishek posted from his official X handle on Saturday. A viral video today exposed how the BJP left no stone unturned to malign Bengal. From mass rape to arms seizure, every claim was BOUGHT and STAGED by none other than @SuvenduWB People won't forgive these Bangla-Birodhis. Bengal's mothers & sisters shall avenge this! read a post on the TMC's official X handle. Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam. The women of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district came out on the streets earlier against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan, accusing the strongman and his aides of perpetrating gross excesses and atrocities on them while also gobbling up their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of land-grab and sexual assault under coercion. (ANI)

Malda South: Can Congress Save Ghani Khan's Turf or Will BJP or TMC Breach it?

Malda is witnessing a three-way contest between and at stake is stalwart Ghani Khan Chowdhury's legacy.

LS elections: Poor mango yield, soil erosion, CAA top poll talk as Malda gears up to vote in Phase 3

The News Mill

Tragic Loss: Two Sanitation Workers Perish During Sewage Cleaning Operation in Noida

Tragic Loss: Two Sanitation Workers Perish During Sewage Cleaning Operation in Noida Two sanitation workers from West Bengal died allegedly after inhaling poisonous gases inside a sewage shaft at a house in Noida, police said on Saturday. The incident took place Friday evening when Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal were working at one Sumit Chawla's house in Sector 26. Both workers hailed from Malda district in West Bengal and lived in a slum in Sector 9, according to police. ''A person in Sector 26 had hired two persons for cleaning of the septic tank at his home. Last night, while cleaning the tank, the duo became unconscious. They were taken to a hospital but did not survive,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Vidya Sagar Mishra said. According to a police officer, the two had come to the house at 7 pm and had entered the shaft area to clean it. A source told PTI that both men were taken to the hospital after 11.15 pm and were already dead when the doctors checked on them. Police said they have inspected the incident location and have informed the victims' families.

West Bengal to see TMC, BJP &Congress-Left fight on May 7

The four constituencies of Malda South, Malda North, Jangipur and Murshidabad are all geared up to go to polls on May 7 and considered the Congress bastion. The Malda North constituency of West Bengal will witness a three-cornered contest with the Congress-Left Front alliance, BJP and the TMC locking horns. The constituency, once a stronghold [] The post West Bengal to see TMC, BJP &Congress-Left fight on May 7 appeared first on Northlines .

Rinku's Rise Continues, Impresses Sourav Ganguly

Rinku's Rise Continues, Impresses Sourav Ganguly Rinku Singh shouldn't be disheartened by his exclusion from India's World T20 squad as it was pure tactical decision by team management to ask for an extra spinner taking pitches in the Caribbean into account, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said on Friday. Ganguly feels the 26-year-old, who boasts of a 176-plus strike rate in 15 T20Is and plays the role of a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, may have missed out as India wanted to go with an ''extra spinner'' keeping in mind the spinning tracks in the West Indies. ''It's West Indies. The wickets may be slow and assist spin so they (selectors) wanted to go with another spinner. Maybe because of that Rinku didn't get an opportunity but it's just the beginning for Rinku,'' Ganguly said at the Trophy unveiling ceremony of the Bengal Pro T20 League. India play their group stage matches in the USA, opening their campaign against Ireland on June 5. Super Eight onwards the tournament will be held in the Caribbean countries. Ganguly expected India and Australia to dominate the tournament as they did in the 50-over World Cup last year. ''India and Australia the two best teams of the tournament. I'm sure they will do the same thing in the USA and the West Indies,'' Ganguly said. On the Indian squad, Ganguly said: ''It's a fabulous squad, they are all match winners. All 15 are good enough to be selected, I'm sure Rohit (Sharma) and Rahul (Dravid) will pick the best.'' Meanwhile all the eight franchises and their marquee players in the Bengal Pro T20 League were also announced. The inaugural edition of the league will take place at Eden Gardens and Jadavpur University Salt Lake Campus ground from June 11-28. The Teams Kolkata Royal Tigers (areas: Kolkata & Hooghly) (marquee players: Abhishek Porel and Mita Paul). Harbour Diamonds (North & South 24 Parganas) (Manoj Tiwary and Sukanya Panda). Rashmi Medinipur Wizards (Medinipur and Jhargram) (Abhimanyu Easwaran & Richa Ghosh). Servotec Siliguri Strikers (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Kalimpong) (Akash Deep and Priyanka Bala). Adamas Howrah Warriors (Howrah, Purulia and Bankura) (Anustup Majumdar and Dhara Gujjar). Malda Sobisco Smashers (Dinajpur and Malda) (Mukesh Kumar & Rishita Basu). Murshidabad King (Murshidabad and Nadia) (Sudeep Gharami and Deepti Sharma).

East, South continue to reel under heatwave; max temperature in Telangana to hit 45C, says IMD

East, South continue to reel under heatwave; max temperature in Telangana to hit 45C, says IMD As vast swathes of east and south India continued to bake under the scorching sun on Thursday, with the mercury in two Telangana districts hitting the 44C mark; a top scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) held out no hope of an immediate respite for the state, adding that the maximum temperature can reach up to 45C over the next few days. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, IMD scientist Dr A. Sravani said, The maximum temperatures in Telangana have been on an upward curve over the last few days, It has now shot up to 44C. Over the next two to three days, the heatwave that has been building up steadily will intensify further. While across the state, the maximum temperatures have been upwards of 40C over the last few days, some parts even hit 44C. Some of the state observatories have even recorded maximum temperatures in the region of 45C or more in certain areas. The eastern part of the state has recorded temperatures in excess of 43C, while two districts have seen the mercury breach the 44C-mark. The Nizamabad district saw the mercury hit 44.1C while Ramagundam in the Peddapalli district recorded 44.4C, the climate scientist added. The prevailing condition will continue over the next four days. We will issue an orange alert (heatwave warning) tomorrow. After May 5, the maximum temperature in the state could show a marginal decrease with showers, too, predicted, Sravani added. According to a post on the official X handle of the IMD, Rentachintala in Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest maximum temperature on Thursday, at 46.2C, followed by Tirupathi and Rayalaseema at 45.6C; Khammam and Telangana at 45C; Talcher in Odisha at 45C; Purulia and Gangetic West Bengal at 44.1C; Karur Paramathi in Tamil Nadu at 44C); Malda and sub-Himalayan West Bengal at 41.8C; and Forbesganj in Bihar at 41.4C. The IMD also issued a red alert for severe heatwave in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, saying the condition was likely to persist over the next two to three days. The Met also issued an 'Orange' alert for Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh over the next 4-5 days. Further, according to the IMD, the heatwave will persist in most areas of the eastern and southern states in May, including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. While the political temperature south of the Vindhyas has peaked amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, in several cities of Telangana, not just the people but political leaders, as well, have had to bow to the unforgiving sun. Amid the intense heatwave, leaders across political parties have been wary not to take carry out campaign-related activities during the day and have been going door-to-door and taking out rallies and roadshows before 10 am or after 5 pm. The district administration has also been running awareness campaigns among voters in the morning or evening. From party offices, shops to religious places, all establishments stay closed in the afternoon hours, with priests, aides and devotees at temples, as well as party workers choosing to stay indoors. Dr Priyanka Ala, the district magistrate of Bhadradri Kothagudem, said, Already, the temperatures in districts are in excess of 45C and we are expecting it to inch further upward to 46 or 47C on May 13, the polling day. Considering the unforgiving weather, we have decided to make special arrangements at the polling stations. One of them is AMF, which stands for Assured Minimum Facilities. We also provide adequate drinking water facilities along with toilets. We have also made special seating arrangements under the shade. Each polling station will have a minimum of two to four tents. Medical kits, including ORS, will also be arranged. Ahead of polling on May 13, the political parties as well as the district administration are making elaborate arrangements to bring the maximum number of votes to the polling stations. The parties have not only arranged auto-rickshaws to ferry voters to their designated polling booths but also cold beverages, drinking water, and tents to enable them to get their fingers inked on May 13. Special arrangements have also been made at hospitals to attend to voters should they complain of discomfort or distress on account of the prevailing heatwave on polling day. (ANI)

40 yrs on, BJP & TMC threaten to breach Ghani fort

Amidst shifting political landscapes in Malda, the legacy of Barkat da and ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury remains influential. The battle for Malda North intensifies with new candidates emerging, challenging established family legacies and political affiliations.

West Bengal CM expresses concern over unusual surge in voter turnout, raises questions about EVM reliability

West Bengal CM expresses concern over unusual surge in voter turnout, raises questions about EVM reliability West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday criticised the Election Commission for the ''delay'' in releasing the final voter turnout figures for the initial two phases of the Lok Sabha polls. She also expressed concern over the sudden increase in polling percentages during those phases. Addressing two back-to-back rallies in minority-dominated Malda and Murshidabad districts, Banerjee accused the Centre of neglecting the state as it has a high percentage of minority and backward communities. The commission made public the voter turnout of the first two phases of polling, which were held on April 19 and April 26, on Tuesday evening. According to the EC, a voter turnout of 66.14 per cent was recorded in the first and 66.71 per cent in the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. ''The EC gave a figure of polling percentage immediately after the elections. But yesterday, I came to know about the sudden jump in final voter turnout by nearly 5.75 per cent, which is worrying. The percentage has increased in places where voting was not in favour of the BJP. There are lots of doubts and the commission must address it,'' she said. ''There are apprehensions of manipulation of results by the BJP as several EVMs were missing for a long period,'' she said while addressing a rally at Farakka in Murshidabad district. The TMC supremo said the sudden spike in poll percentage is not just ''disturbing'' but also raises ''serious apprehensions about the credibility of EVMs''. ''The details of EVM makers should be made public by the Election Commission as the BJP can stoop to any level to win elections,'' she said. Voting for the general elections is being held in seven phases, with the remaining phases scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. Both the TMC and the BJP have claimed that panic has set in the opposite camps sensing defeat in the first two phases. Referring to BJP as a ''Jumla'' party only interested in ''publicity'' by making false promises, she said, ''Did any citizen of this country get Rs 15 lakh in their bank account as promised during the 2014 election campaign? The BJP has been depriving West Bengal by withholding due funds. The Union government especially neglects the state since the percentage of minority and backward class populations in the state are comparatively higher.'' While speaking at the minority-dominated areas, Banerjee criticised the opposition bloc INDIA partners - CPI (M) and Congress - for ''joining hands with the BJP'' in West Bengal and asserted that the opposition front ceases to exist in the state. ''Don't vote for CPI (M) and Congress in West Bengal as they are agents of the BJP. Voting for the CPI(M) or Congress means voting for the BJP and voting for the BJP will lead to your democratic rights being taken away,'' she said. Banerjee said there is no INDIA alliance in West Bengal. ''The CPI (M) and Congress are contesting in minority-dominated seats so that they can help the BJP by cutting into TMC's votes,'' she said. Influence of the minorities in West Bengal, constituting nearly thirty per cent of the electorate, extends to 12-15 Lok Sabha seats, making them a coveted voting bloc for all parties. Banerjee accused the BJP of ''peddling lies'' about the state government's submission of utilisation certificates for central projects. ''We have given utilisation certificates for all the funds that we have received in the last 13 years. The BJP has withheld funds for political reasons. We condemn BJP's policy of depriving the poor,'' she said.

Mango yield likely to be 75 pc less this season as mercury soars high in Malda

Mango yield likely to be 75 pc less this season as mercury soars high in Malda Owing to the dual attack of untimely rain previously and now of a heatwave, the mango yield in Malda this season is likely to be less by 75 per cent. The temperature has crossed 40C in Malda, adversely affecting the crops. Farmers are stressed as mango is their cash crop, and due to poor yield, they foresee significant losses this year. Ujjal Saha, the president of Malda Mango Merchants Association, expressed his concerns, stating, Malda is sure to have lost at least one half of average of total production this season owing to rains and heat. Ramesh, who works in a mango farm in Malda, highlighted the impact of weather on yield, saying, here have been no rains this year so the yield is less by at least 75 per cent. If the weather is favourable then the yield is good. In a season we can make business of Rs 5 to 10 lakhs but this year it will be hardly Rs 2 lakhs. It is a total loss. He urged the government to provide support to increase yield. Another mango farmer, Jiten Saha, also echoed similar concerns, stating, due to no rains the mangoes have already fallen off the trees. If rains happen the yield is good. It will be good if government can take some action to support us. Last year, the yield was 4 lakh metric tons, and it is very unlikely to cross even the 2 lakh mark this year. Untimely rains, prolonged winters, and now the heatwave have all contributed to the lesser yield of mangoes. It is quite possible that the king of fruits might not be easily available in the markets and could command a high price. (ANI)

BJP spreading lies about Bengal development schemes: Mamata

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of peddling lies on the state governments submission of utilisation certificates for Central projects and urged the BJP leadership to hold the mirror to itself. She was addressing a meeting at Harischandrapur in Malda Uttar Lok Sabha constituency. The Home Minister claimed that we have not sent utilisation certificates for Rs 2.32 lakh crore spending by our government. They blocked all funds to the state three years back, she said at Malda Shakti Sangha ground in Malda town. I challenge him to prove it, she said. This is nothing but falsehood. Since coming to power 13 years ago, we have given every single break-up of expenses in utilisation certificates. I cannot take responsibility for whatever happened during the reign of CPM before 2011, she said. Mamata said the BJP in a vindictive manner withheld the money for 100 days work for Bengal. We cannot let our people suffer. We have mobilised money so that 59 lakh people have already got money under 50 days work. The Centre has two weapons -- spreading lies and stopping Central funds due to us, she said. We will never bow before the Centre. They stopped Awas Yojana money, but we have managed to provide housing funds for 11 lakh houses, she said. The Chief Minister accused BJP leaders of only badmouthing and threatening Bengal. A BJP minister said they will never allow me to stop NRC in Bengal. I take up the challenge. We will not allow NRC in Bengal. We will not allow Uniform Civil Code, she said. Wont allow NRC, CAA West Bengal chief minister Mamata said her government and party will not allow NRC in Bengal. We will not allow Uniform Civil Code either in state, she said.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Malda ...Congress-BJP-TMC | Hot Seat

West Bengal Seat: - . . , . . . .

CPM banks on Congress to open its account in Bengal blockbuster

KOLKATA: The third phase of the parliamentary polls in West Bengal due on May 7 has an interesting aspect of it: the CPM is now forced to ally with the Congress that was once its bte noir. With no MP from the state in the 2019 elections, the CPM is now trying to ride piggyback on Congress to open its account. The four constituencies of Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad are considered the Congress bastion. Another aspect of the third phase is the virtual split in the INDIA bloc. Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, who participated in a few meetings of the bloc and claimed to have given the name to the alliance, has fielded decided candidates from all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State. She blamed the Congress for not being able to reach an electoral understanding. Out of the four seats, the BJP won Malda Uttar, Congress wrested Malda Dakshin and Trinamool had won Jangipur and Murshidabad in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The BJP has launched a mega campaign not only in Malda but also in Murshidabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have campaigned in Malda while BJP chief J.P. Nadda has held rallies in Murshidabad. Ms. Banerjee and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are campaigning extensively in the region. Maladies of Malda South Trinamool candidate Shahnawaz Ali Raihan is pitted against BJPs Sreerupa Mitra. Born in Malda, the Trinamool candidate has a grip over local issues, including the river erosion and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Raihan says CAA is not only anti-Muslim, it is also anti-Bengali. The BJP experiment in Assam proves it. There is a deliberate attempt to mock the Bengali identity and food habits, says Raihan who is associated with anti-CAA protests over the years. The Union Home Ministry on March 11 published the rules relating to the Act and the Trinamool leadership has been criticising it ever since. The Malda seat involves an interesting electoral contest with Raihan representing the Trinamool, Sreerupa Mitra Chowdhury BJP and Congress Isha Khan Chowdhury defending the seat. Chowdhurys father Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury represented the seat over the past five years. While the Congress won it in 2019, Trinamool swept the region in the 2021 Assembly elections. While a majority of the voters in the constituency are Muslims, a split in their vote may help the BJP to give an extra edge over the TMC. Raihan said the key problems of the constituency such as river erosion and migration require a radical approach. We have to admit that the Farakka Barrage was a wrong project. We have to accept that it was a mistake and take corrective measures. Most of the responsibility of the damage lies with the Centre, said the Trinamool candidate. Left & Right in Malda North The constituency in the northern part of West Bengal is set to witness a three-cornered contest with the Congress-Left Front alliance, BJP and the TMC locking horns. The constituency, once a stronghold of the Congress, has seen the emergence of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over the past decade. The TMC holds sway over Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, and Ratua assembly seats, which are part of the Lok Sabha constituency, while the BJP has made inroads in Habipur, Gazole, and Malda segments. Despite such a shift, longstanding issues such as river erosion, healthcare infrastructure and drinking water problems persist. BJP MP Khagen Murmu is pitted against TMCs fomer IPS officer Prasun Banerjee. Congress has fielded Mostaque Alam. Incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu, confident of retaining the seat for the second term, says his efforts to address local grievances have met with resistance from the state government. He cited challenges in implementing Central schemes due to lack of cooperation from the state administration. Murmu, a former CPM MLA from Habibpur, joined BJP in 2019. He says he faced huge resistance from the state government whenever he tried to implement any Central scheme. I requested the state government to send a detailed project report to the Centre so that river erosion could be checked. But that never happened, Murmu alleged. Congress candidate Mostaque Alam says people are fed up with the BJP and TMC politics. He questions the understanding of the grassroots politics of IPS officer-turned-TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee. Banerjee, a 2006-batch IPS officer, has held several important positions, including Inspector General (IG) of Raiganj range, before taking voluntary retirement to contest elections. Banerjee declined to reply to his opponents and went on to say, I do not want to speak anything now. June 4 will reveal everything. However, factionalism could mar Trinamools chances, as Ghani family member and parliamentarian Mausam Noor is unhappy about not being given a ticket from the seat. Noor was elected MP from this seat in 2009 and 2014 on a Congress ticket, before she defected to TMC. Challenge in murshidabad The Murshidabad seat will be contested by CPM general secretary Mohd Salim, Trinamools sitting MP Abu Taher Khan and BJPs Gouri Shankar Ghosh. Although Congress has thrown their weight behind CPM, Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury while he was campaigning for CPM is facing tough challenge from BJP in Murshidabad because BJP is trying to consolidate Hindu vote here. They took out processions of Ram Navami and violence was reported in various places. Even Mamata in her speech at various rallies said that BJP is stoking communal violence at Behrampore. Recently after the Ram Navami event, Adhir was sent to the hospital by BJP workers when he went there to see the injured who were admitted at the Behrampore hospital. During the Ram Navami rally around 4 people were injured during a clash with BJP workers. After visting Shaktipur in Behrampore area where the clash took place, Chowdhury said: I came to see the people who were injured in the clash. But BJP workers staged a protest in the hospital claiming that Hindus were under attack and demanded an answer from me. Those protesting should ask those who need to answer, he added. The TMCs Yusuf Pathan is a new candidate. It needs to be seen how far TMC can do in Behrampore. Jangipur jigsaw puzzle The seat is synonymous with late President Pranab Mukher- jee, who contested the seat twice in 2004 and 2009. It was contested by Mukherjees son, Abhijit Mukherjee, in 2012, when Pranab Mukherjee became President. Abhijit again contested the seat in 2016. In 2019, the seat was won by the Trinamool Congress and local businessman Khallilur Rahman. He is re-contesting this time. BJPs Dhanahjay Ghosh and Congress Mortazza Hossain are contesting the seat in a three-corner fight.

Phase 3 polls: 13 of 57 Bengal candidates are crorepatis

Phase 3 polls: 13 of 57 Bengal candidates are crorepatis Out of the 57 candidates contesting in the four Lok Sabha constituencies going into phase 3 polling on May 7, around 23 per cent are crorepatis with an average asset of Rs 1.84 crore, an analysis of their affidavits pointed out on Monday. Of the 13 crorepati candidates, three are from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Independents while the Congress and the All India Secular Front have two each. Three Independent candidates are also crorepatis. The BJP, CPI(M) and the Bharathiya Jawan Kisan Party have one crorepati candidate each, the analysis conducted by the West Bengal Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a statement. ''The average of assets per candidate contesting in the West Bengal phase three Lok Sabha elections is Rs 1.84 crore,'' it added. Khalilur Rehman, TMC candidate from Jangipur constituency, has assets valued at over Rs 51 crore while Independent candidate Mohammed Jamal Saikh contesting from Maldaha Dakshin seat has a total asset of Rs 41,000, the study said. Analysing the education details of the 57 candidates, it was found that 26 have declared their educational qualification to be between 5th and 12th standard, while 31 candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. The phase three polling is scheduled in Jangipur, Maldaha Dakshin, Maldaha Uttar, and Murshidabad.

BJP will win South Malda seat by large margin, says Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar

The News Mill

Speaking lies do not suit a Prime Minister, says Mamata Banerjee

The TMC chief claimed that BJP stopped funds for MGNREGA since they won from the Malda Uttar constituency

In Malda, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee trains guns on Congress

Banerjee fiercely criticizes Congress in Malda to prevent BJP's rise, emphasizing ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury's legacy. Urges voters to support TMC, highlighting the risks of splitting votes and the alliance's efforts to protect secularism.

Don't allow vote division: Mamata Banerjee urges Muslims

Speaking at Malda's Sujapur election rally, Banerjee said the Congress and Left Front have partnered and fielded CPI-M's Mohammed Salim in Murshidabad, in a bid to divide Muslim votes and help the BJP. This election is to oust PM Modi but BJP will benefit if there is a division of Muslim votes, Banerjee said in Malda.

Don't Vote for Congress-CPI(M) Alliance in LS, says Mamata

Kolkata : West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee revealed on Sunday that she had sought the Congress not to ally with the CPI(M) and share seats among themselves in the Lok Sabha Election. She however claimed that the grand old party ignored her suggestion. Addressing a Lok Sabha Election campaign rally at Sujapur in Malda, the Trinamul Congress supremo said, Congress does not have even a seat in the Assembly here. I have always wanted to help them. I told them not to ally with the CPI(M) and offered them two seats. She also alleged, But they didn't listen to me, went with the CPI(M) and shared the seats. Do you want me to surrender to CPI(M)? Ms Banerjee once again took the credit for creating and naming the opposition parties forum, I.N.D.I.A.. She however appealed to the voters not to cast their ballots for either Congress or Left, which are partners of I.N.D.I.A.. Don't get into the politics of splitting votes here if you want to tackle BJP in Delhi. We did not go somewhere else despite having wished to contest the polls from many other places. The TMC chief pointed out, This is not the election to determine the next Bengal government but to topple Modi Babus gaddi in Delhi. But for this, votes must be consolidated. Congress has fielded candidates here because the BJP has two eyes here Congress and CPI(M). The same is the case with Raiganj and Murshidabad. She added, If BJP wins due to a split in votes, it is the people who will suffer. No matter what they say, do not fall for their trap. CPI(M) leaders are becoming BJP MPs and friends. They have tortured our workers here in Malda too. I do not forgive the torturers.

Scorching Heatwave Persists in South Bengal and Northern Districts

Scorching Heatwave Persists in South Bengal and Northern Districts Heatwave prevailed in south Bengal and many parts of the northern districts of West Bengal on Sunday as the Met department forecast it will continue, particularly in southern districts, till May 2. The day's maximum temperature was recorded at 44.3 degrees Celsius, 7.5 deg C above normal, at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district, the department said in a bulletin. At Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district, the temperature was 44.2 deg C, followed by Bankura 43.5 deg C. In Kolkata, the maximum temperature was 41.3 deg C, which was 5.7 deg C above normal. In the relatively cooler northern parts of the state, Balurghat and Malda recorded maximum temperatures of 41 deg C each. In Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the mercury, however, read 22.4 deg C and 25.2 deg C, respectively, the MeT office said. ''Mainly dry westerly to northwesterly winds at lower levels continue to prevail over the region. Due to strong solar insolation, the heatwave condition is very likely to prevail over the districts during the period from April 28 to May 2,'' a MeT office spokesperson said. Due to the heatwave, roads wore a deserted look on Sunday and fewer vehicles were seen in the afternoon. The state government already announced the preponing of the summer vacation in state-run and state-aided schools.

Speaking lies do not suit a Prime Minister: Mamata Banerjee at Maldah Uttar

Speaking lies do not suit a Prime Minister: Mamata Banerjee at Maldah Uttar West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday saying that it does not suit a Prime Minister to speak so many lies. Prime Minister is continuously speaking lies. This does not suit a Prime Minister, it does not look good. His thinking is narrow. I don't believe that just because he says lies I have to speak lies too, Banerjee said speaking at a public rally at West Bengal's Malda on Sunday. The Chief Minister said that no political party was born in India that has as many thieves as the BJP. BJP is a big jumlabaaz and conspirator. Such a party full of thieves has not come up in India ever. Whoever has lots of money has joined the BJP. If they don't join, they will be harassed by the CBI or Income Tax, or NIA or NSG, Banerjee said. Slamming the BJP for not paying money for MGNREGA scheme, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo pointed out that her state government has paid the money. On the other hand, those poor who have worked for 100 days have not received any money. Have you received any money from the Panchayat? Job card holders who worked for 100 days have not been paid for three years...We launched a movement in Delhi. Neither the Prime Minister nor his thieves, his panchayat, panchayat samiti, nor MLA paid the money. We have paid the money, the Chief Minister said. Banerjee even promised to implement a 50-day employment program for job card holders directly. In future, we will run a 50-day employment programme for job card holders, not through these people (BJP), but directly, she said. Lambasting the BJP for claiming that the TMC engaged in thefts in West Bengal, Banerjee challenged the Prime Minister to bring on the track records of other NDA-ruled states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and tally them with Bengal's. They (BJP) are saying that since TMC engaged in thefts they did not pay. If you have the courage and if you have 56 inch chest prove it. Bring the track records of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, Banerjee said. The TMC chief claimed that BJP stopped funds for MGNREGA since they won from the Malda Uttar constituency. You have sent 350 committees here. We have furnished whatever reports you wanted. We have cleared everything. Even then, you have stopped 100-days work in West Bengal. This is because they won. After winning, they did these, she said. BJP's Khagen Murmu defeated TMC's Mausam Noor with a margin of 84,288 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha seats. Slamming the BJP for its much-improved performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee said, They stopped paying money for work on road construction. This is because they got 18 seats in 2019. They thought themselves to be big shots. In an attack on the BJP for allegedly starting a ration programme in West Bengal in which the Prime Minister's photo and party symbol will be affixed to the ration distributed, the Chief Minister said that she denied implementing it in the state. They (BJP) have started a rice program before elections. They are saying that even if someone has to take a 2 kg ration. They said that there will be the photo of the Prime Minister and BJP logo on it. We did not allow it. If they want to give the logo of West Bengal government we have no problem as we give more money. But if you think that you will be taking everything by force, remember that the day people stop supporting you you will understand that people have true power, Banerjee said. Malda Uttar will be voting in the third phase of the election on May 7. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 22 seats, while the BJP won 18 seats. Congress emerged victorious in two seats. (ANI)

Mamata Banerjee Dances With Locals, Plays Folk Instruments

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was seen dancing with the local dancers in Malda on the beats of Bengali folk song. She also tried her hands at folk instruments.

Bengal CM Mamata alleges Congress, CPI(M) are secretly aiding BJP

Bengal CM Mamata alleges Congress, CPI(M) are secretly aiding BJP Asserting that the Trinamool Congress is contesting the Lok Sabha elections alone in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP in the state. Addressing an election rally here in Malda district, Banerjee claimed that the TMC will put up a spirited fight against the Narendra Modi-led dispensation at the Centre and will play a major role in installing an INDIA bloc government after the Lok Sabha polls. ''We don't have any alliance in Bengal with Congress. Here the CPI-M is having an alliance with Congress. Both are hand-in gloves with BJP and if you (voters) cast vote for Congress or CPI(M) that tantamounts to cutting the anti-BJP vote share and helping Narendra Modi. Congress and CPI(M) are the two eyes of BJP in this state,'' she said. Banerjee claimed that the TMC had wanted to discuss seat sharing with Congress with the condition that they should not have any track with CPI(M) in Bengal but they didn't listen. ''The Congress and CPI(M) leaders in West Bengal have been speaking in the same voice of BJP and plotting against pro-people policies of the TMC-run government in the state,'' she said. Asserting that the INDIA alliance is alive outside Bengal, Banerjee said ''I gave INDIA alliance its name, but the alliance does not exist in Bengal, it will be functioning outside this state because of the pro-BJP stance of its state leaders.'' She claimed that the TMC will play an important role in the INDIA alliance nationally after defeating BJP in Bengal on its own in the Lok Sabha polls. Taking a jibe at Modi over his comments about the Calcutta High Court order regarding SSC recruitment in 2016, she said ''26,000 youths have lost their jobs all of a sudden. Does that make you happy?'' She alleged that CPI(M) in collusion with BJP is plotting to stall teaching job recruitment initiatives of the state government. ''Even if there can be aberrations, when we try to find alternative ways to fix it, in the interest of the deserving educated youth, the CPI(M) and BJP rushes in to jeopardise that,'' she said.

Indigenously-built Vande Metro trial run to begin from July, say officials

NEW DELHI : Indian Railways will launch indigenously designed and developed Vande Metro trains and run more Amrit Bharat trains, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday. The Vande Metro train will have a very swift run between one major city to another covering a shorter distance of nearly 100 to 150 kms. Designed on the concept of European regional train, the first new train set of Vande Metro is likely to roll out from the railway manufacturing unit by July this year for test run on a selected route, an official of the railway ministry said, wishing not to be named. Non-AC high-speed Amrit Bharat passenger trains will run from one state to another covering a longer distance of over 1,000 kms. Orders for the manufacture of 50 Amrit Bharat trains, out of a target of running at least 400 in next few years, have been placed with the manufacturing units concerned, a senior railway ministry official said. The Vande Metro train has been designed in such a way that it would bring a new kind of revolution in metro journey because of its technically advanced swift acceleration-driven movement and comfortable accommodating facilities form one city to another situated within a distance of 100 to 250 kms, the official said. The first train set of Vande Metro, akin to the European concept of regional rail connectivity, will cater to intercity passenger services covering a distance of 100 to 250 kms at the maximum speed of 120-130 kmph, the official said. The prototype of first Vande Metro train set will have initially 12 air-conditioned coaches. After successful test run of Vande Metro train, the ministry will run more such trains in its 100 days of action plan from July this year onwards, the official said. The ministry is also planning to roll out 1,000 Vande sleeper trains in next 5 years connecting all cities, he said. Presently two sets of Amrit Bharat trains, connecting Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar terminal and Malda -Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru), are operational.

West Bengal: Battle of ideologies, clash of big names in these minority-dominated seats

The Maldaha Uttar and Maldaha Dakshin constituencies are in Maldaha district, historically known as the fortress of Congress' iconic leader ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury. But the glory of the past has started fading. In this minority dominated district, politics has changed its course.

South Bengal to Witness Intensifying Heatwave Conditions

South Bengal to Witness Intensifying Heatwave Conditions Heatwave conditions prevailing in south Bengal are likely to get more severe with the possibility of further rise in maximum day temperatures in most districts in the region, the Met department said in its five-day forecast on Saturday. Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district recorded West Bengal's highest temperature of the day at 44.6 degrees Celsius, it said. The weather office forecast a gradual increase in day temperature by one to two deg C in the next three days and thereafter no large change for the subsequent two days. Severe heatwave conditions will prevail over Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman districts, the meteorological department said. It said that heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in the north Bengal districts of Malda, Dakshin and Uttar Dinajpur. The weather office said that people should avoid prolonged heat exposure and outside work between 11 am and 4 pm. Kolkata recorded the day's maximum temperature at 41.1 deg C while neighbouring Salt Lake saw the mercury rise to 41.8 deg C, the Met said. The other places which recorded above 40 degree Celsius temperatures are Medinipur(43.5), Bankura (43.2), Barrackpore (43.2), Bardhaman (43), Asansol (42.5), Purulia (42.7) and Sriniketan (42), the Met data said.

HC: Hire Malda teachers from 09 DPSC panel

Third Eye: Kerala poll a boiling cauldron, Rahul Gandhi criticises Bachchan family again and PM Modi's Malda rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once more taken aim at Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, suggesting they are perceived as serious figures compared to his own 'non-serious' political image. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Malda, expressed deep emotion at the enthusiastic reception, musing that he might have been a son of Bengal in a past life. In Kerala, scorching heat and humidity are adding to the challenges of election campaigning, turning the poll season into a grueling ordeal for candidates and campaigners alike.

Congress was biased against Hindus for vote bank, today they're exposed: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria

Congress was biased against Hindus for vote bank, today they're exposed: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria In a fresh attack against Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Friday that the grand old party was iased against Hindus for vote bank. The first right on the resources of our country lies with the poor of this country irrespective of religion. The way Congress was biased against the Hindus of India for their vote bank, today they have been exposed, PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Bihar's Araria. The Prime Minister attacked the INDIA bloc over the Supreme Court decision rejecting the plea for 100 per cent VVPAT verification of EVM votes and said every leader of the opposition grouping has committed the sin of creating doubts in the minds of people about Electronic Voting Machine and heir dreams have been shattered. They did not let people exercise their right to vote for decades. Booth capturing was very common. They did not even let the people step out to vote. Now when the poor and honest voters have the strength of EVM, they are trying all they can to get rid of the EVM. Today, the Supreme Court has given a strong verdict saying that the old system of ballot paper voting will not come back, he said. He said opposition parties should apologise to the people for creating doubts about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Today, the whole world praises India for its democracy, for its election process, and its use of technology in the election process and these people for their own self-interest were defaming the EVMs. These people have continuously tried to betray democracy, he said. PM Modi said the verdict of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is to make India strong economically and people of Bihar have an important role to play. Today, there are two main streams in politics. One stream is BJP-led NDA which wants to strengthen the people of India. On the other side is the INDI alliance which wants to fill their own pockets by seizing the property of the people, he said. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a public rally in Bihar's Munger in which he attacked the opposition coalition accusing it of appeasement. There is an NDA model on one side and there is an INDI Alliance model on the other. INDI alliance model is appeasement (tushtikaran) and NDA's model is satisfaction (santushtikaran). We have to ensure that no one is left behind. We gave toilets, gas, electricity connections, and water facilities to our mothers and sisters. We gave free ration and free medical treatment, PM Modi said in Munger. We never asked anyone about the religion or caste of the beneficiaries...anyone who is eligible will get the benefits. This is true secularism and true social justice, he added. The Prime Minister said that the Congress party has set its eyes on the wealth of people and wants to conduct an x-ray, adding that it will seize more than half of the properties inherited by the people. The INDI alliance is using all its might for appeasement. The 'Shehzada' of Congress has said something which will bring a problem for everyone. He has said that a survey would be conducted for every family. The families have small properties and savings, women have some jewellery. The 'Stree Dhan' is considered sacred. Congress, which looted the country with corruption, has now set its eyes on your properties, PM Modi said. Congress wants to impose an inheritance tax. They say they will conduct an x-ray of every family. Today, you are able to pass on your properties to your children. But, Congress is planning... the guru of Shehzada (veiled jibe at Sam Pitroda) has said that they will seize more than half of your property. Now, two out of four-room houses, five acres out of 10-acre land, you will have to give to the government. The INDI alliance has come up with this dangerous plan, he added. The Prime Minister also addressed a public meeting in West Bengal's Malda today, where he attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress and its ally Congress. He said the ruling TMC and the Congress, which are partners in the INDIA bloc but are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha separately in the state, are competing with each other in their 'appeasement' politics and attempts to woo a 'certain' community. The Congress wants to grab your properties and the TMC hasn't spoken a single word against it. They are competing with each other for appeasement and attempts to win over a certain community or vote bank. While the TMC government has worked to grant permanent residency to infiltrators from Bangladesh, the Congress is talking about redistributing your assets among a certain vote bank, PM Modi added. The only glue that holds the TMC and the Congress together is appeasement. These parties can go to any lengths to advance their appeasement politics and reverse any decision taken in the national interest, he added. Amid a verbal assault from PM Modi over its alleged wealth survey and redistribution pitch, the Congress has clarified that neither did it make any promise in its manifesto nor did Rahul Gandhi make any such assurance to voters. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party was in favour of a comprehensive socio-economic caste census. Senior party colleague and Lok Sabha candidate, Shashi Tharoor, too, waded into the matter, saying there was no mention of wealth redistribution in the Congress manifesto, adding that it was a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert public attention from the burning bread-and-butter issues affecting the people. Nowhere does it (manifesto) talk about wealth redistribution. Nowhere does it say anything about taking anybody's gold and snatching the mangalsutra of women. These are preposterous claims by the BJP and show their desperation. They know that they are losing these elections and will fling muck at us as much as they can, Tharoor said. PM Modi wrapped up the day's electioneering with a mega roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly. The day witnessed the voting in 88 constituencies across 13 states/UTs in the second phase today. According to the Election Commission, the overall turnout was registered at around 60.9 per cent. The voting was held in 13 seats in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir. The first phase of voting in 102 constituencies across 21 states/UTs were held on April 19. The third phase of the seven-phase parliamentary elections will be held on May 7 and the final phase will be on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

LS polls 2024: Kodagu records over 70% voter turnout

MADIKERI: Smooth polling was recorded across Kodagu and the district recorded a voter turnout of 70.58% at 5pm. Voters from all sections of the society enthusiastically took part in the festival of democracy and cast their votes. The district had special polling booths even as foresters guarded the booths located in wildlife conflict zones. The minor glitches in EVMs were sorted out during the mock voting process held in all polling booths from 6 am to 7 am. From nearly 6.30 am, voters started to queue outside their respective polling stations with much enthusiasm to practice their duty. A total of 23 special polling booths including Sakhi and Model booths were set up across the district. At Maldare, Nagarahole, Hebbale, Malambi, Heruru and CB Halli, tribal themed polling stations were set up to woo the increased population of tribes. The tribes in large groups participated in the electoral process enthusiastically. The Sakhi polling stations were decked up in polling centers that had increased women voters even as Kodagu ADC Veena BN opted to vote from one of the Sakhi polling booths in Madikeri. Model polling centers with improved facilities also wooed the voters. However, the officers on election duty at the interior village of Vanachal were made to suffer for some time due to the unavailability of drinking water. Nevertheless, the voters of the center helped the officers and arranged for a drinking water facility. In Wildlife conflict zones including regions across Siddapura, Kushalnagar and Virajpet, a Range Forest Officer alongside a Rapid Response Team equipped with weapons were deployed to ensure the safety of the voters. Armed Forces from Gujarat guarded the naxal sensitive booths across the district including at Karike and Sampaje areas. A tragic incident was, however, reported at a polling station in B Shettigeri of South Kodagu. Manohar (58), a traditional drummer who played the chande instrument, died of a heart attack outside the polling station. Sources confirmed that he waited in the queue and cast his vote. However, he collapsed outside the polling center after he suffered a heart attack and died. Doctor saves woman who suffered cardiac arrest while voting in Bengaluru Outside a polling centre in Madikeri, the officials forcefully shut down shops that were located within 200 meters from the St Michael School polling station. However, DC Venkat Raja intervened and withdrew the closing down order. He, however, cautioned the shopkeepers not to allow campaigning from political parties at the shops. Venkat Raja, SP K Ramarajan and CEO Varnit Negi cast their votes at the taluk office in Madikeri and later visited the Raja Seat tourist spot to urge residents to go vote. While most of the tourist centers were open in the district, the Dubare Camp was shut for tourist visits as this was turned into a polling station for the tribal voters.

'Either I was born in Bengal in last birth or...': PM Modi gets high decibel welcome in Malda

West Bengal: PM Modi gets high decibel welcome in Malda during Lok Sabha Election campaign trail

West Bengal: PM Modi gets high decibel welcome in Malda during Lok Sabha Election campaign trail

Either I was born in Bengal in last birth or...: PM Modi responds to enthusiasm, love of people during Malda rally

Expressing his gratitude for the enthusiasm and love of people during his rally in Malda in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it appears that either he was born in Bengal in his previous birth or will be born to a mother in Bengal in his next birth.

Over 600 Tripura Tribal Voters Denied Franchise Due to Inaccessible Polling Booths

Over 600 Tripura Tribal Voters Denied Franchise Due to Inaccessible Polling Booths More than 600 voters of a remote tribal village in Dhalai district, part of Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency, abstained from voting on Friday due to the unrepaired condition of a 7-km village road, an election official said. The villagers, numbering around 900, have been persistently demanding repairs for months, emphasising the road's critical importance to their community, the official added. ''As per schedule, the polling team reached Sadai Mohan Para polling station under Raima Valley Assembly constituency in Tripura East Lok Sabha seat,'' the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gandacherra (Raima Valley), Arindam Das, told PTI over the phone. The villagers are standing outside the polling booth but not entering it to cast their votes as they are protesting against government apathy, the official said. ''We are hopeful the villagers will join the festival of democracy, and the administration will look into their demands seriously'', he said. The villagers have also complained about the drinking water problem, Das said, adding that after getting the report, a team of officials rushed to Sadai Mohan Para to persuade the voters to exercise their democratic rights. ''I heard voters of two polling booths, one at Maldapara (Sadai Moha Para) in Dhalai district and another at Ampi in Gumati district, are not going to cast their votes as their demand for road and water supply has not been addressed. Officials have gone there to persuade the villagers to cast their vote in the elections,'' state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath told the media. ''Apart from two incidents, the polling was moderate and peaceful in all the booths so far. The CPI(M) has failed to send polling agents to the booths. It seems it is fleeing the battleground,'' Nath added.

Electrifying, thats the only word, says PM Modi after holding roadshow in Malda

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Modi rakes up Bengal school jobs row in Malda poll rally, claims youth paying the price

Modi slams TMC over school jobs scam, says Bengal's youth paying the price

PM Modi slams Congress and TMC for opposing CAA to maintain appeasement policy for vote bank

Malda: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress and Trinamool Congress of indulging in appeasement policy to satisfy their vote banks and opposing implementation of CAA. CAA is meant for granting Indian citizenship to the refugees, who arrived India after facing persecution in foreign countries on religion ground, Modi iterated. []

Competing for appeasement, vote bank: PM Modi blasts TMC, Cong in Malda

Competing for appeasement, vote bank: PM Modi blasts TMC, Cong in Malda Tearing into the ruling Trinamool Congress and the erstwhile Left Front government in the state for putting the brakes on development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said they recked the greatness, global image and the dignity of Bengal under their rule. Twisting the knife into the ruling TMC, which is under the spotlight again over alleged irregularities in appointments for teaching posts after the Calcutta High Court recently annulled over 25,753 such recruitments in the state, PM Modi said only 'scams' were flourishing in Bengal under the Mamata government. Addressing a massive rally in Malda district, which is home to majority Muslim voters, PM Modi said, There was a time when Bengal was the engine of the country's development and progress. Be it social reforms, scientific advancements, as well as philosophical and spiritual thinking and awakening, Bengal led the way. However, the Left Front and the present TMC regime robbed Bengal of its greatness on the global stage and lowered its dignity and prestige in the eyes of the world. Only scams worth thousands of crores are flourishing in Bengal under TMC rule. On the Calcutta High Order cancelling all appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff made by the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) panel, PM Modi said the TMC played with the future of Bengal's youth. Layng into the TMC over the verdict, which it has challenged in the Supreme Court, he said, Not a brick is laid in Bengal without money changing hands. Corruption has become synonymous with the state. They (TMC) did not even spare farmers. They played with the future of the state's youth and have now rendered 26,000 families jobless. They are facing the burden of unpaid loans that they took to pay the TMC in exchange for these jobs. He said the ruling TMC and the Congress, which are partners in the INDIA bloc but are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha separately in the state, are competing with each other in their 'appeasement' politics and attempts to woo a 'certain' community. The Congress wants to grab your properties and the TMC hasn't spoken a single word against it. They are competing with each other for appeasement and attempts to win over a certain community or vote bank. While the TMC government has worked to grant permanent residency to infiltrators from Bangladesh, the Congress is talking about redistributing your assets among a certain vote bank, PM Modi added. The only glue that holds the TMC and the Congress together is appeasement. These parties can go to any lengths to advance their appeasement politics and reverse any decision taken in the national interest, he added. Also accusing the TMC of reserving silence on the Congress' alleged advocacy of a wealth survey, PM Modi said, The INDIA bloc wants to do an X-ray on your wealth. The Congress' Shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) will do the X-ray and grab whatever land, gold, assets, and wealth that you hold. The Congress will snatch all your valuables and possessions away and give them to their preferred vote bank. The TMC is silent on this. They are competing for appeasement, it seems. The Congress will seize 55 per cent of your properties and assets and redistribute them to their favourite vote bank. Amid a verbal assault from PM Modi over its alleged wealth survey and redistribution pitch, the Congress has clarified that neither did it make any promise in its manifesto nor did Rahul Gandhi make any such assurance to voters. Amid the political uproar around the wealth survey claim, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party was in favour of a comprehensive socio-economic caste census. Senior party colleague and Lok Sabha candidate, Shashi Tharoor, too, waded into the matter, saying there was no mention of wealth redistribution in the Congress manifesto, adding that it was a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert public attention from the burning bread-and-butter issues affecting the people. Nowhere does it (manifesto) talk about wealth redistribution. Nowhere does it say anything about taking anybody's gold and snatching the mangalsutra of women. These are preposterous claims by the BJP and show their desperation. They know that they are losing these elections and will fling muck at us as much as they can, Tharoor said. (ANI)

Robbed Bengal of greatness, competing for appeasement: PM Modi blasts TMC, Cong in Malda

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As PM heads to Malda, Congress raises issues of erosion, cattle smuggling and unfinished airport

NEW DELHI: Why did the prime minister do nothing to prevent river erosion in Malda and what happened to the Malda airport, the Congress asked on Friday as Narendra Modi heads to the West Bengal district for campaigning. Posting a series of questions on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also raised the issue of cattle smuggling in the area. : 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? : 1. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 26, 2024 The prime minister is scheduled to address a poll rally in Malda on Friday. Questions for PM as he visits Malda in West Bengal: Why has the PM done nothing to prevent river erosion in Malda? What about Malda airport? What has the PM done to halt the illegal smuggling of cattle, Ramesh asked in a post on X. He said thousands of families in Malda district suffer due to their land being eroded by the Ganga and Fulahar rivers. BJP MLA from Englishbazar town Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhary had written to the prime minister in 2023 to seek an appointment to apprise him about the problem, he said. She highlighted the fact that affected residents are mostly from the Scheduled Castes or Other Backward Classes, and requested Rs 10,000 crore to conduct anti-erosion works, Ramesh added. Most of the district lies in the region of the Farakka Barrage, operated by the Central government and is therefore the responsibility of the Modi Sarkar, he said. Ten years after coming to power, and despite generous on-paper allocations to Namami Gange, why has the Modi Sarkar not made a single intervention to protect Malda's Scheduled Caste and OBC families from the rampant problem of river erosion, he asked. Ramesh also alleged that the Modi government had neglected the Malda airport for almost 10 years. The state government had already built a runway by the time the PM came to power in 2014. However, flight services are yet to start. Airports would increase business and trade opportunities - especially for perishable goods like Malda's famous mangoes - and improve access to medical services in the district, he said. The BJP had assured the people of Malda that they would provide small aircraft services, and Airports Authority of India officials visited the site multiple times but the airport still remains closed, Ramesh claimed. The runway, he contended, is being used by people from surrounding neighbourhoods for their morning walk. Locals fear the airport will eventually fall into disrepair because of the Modi government's apathy, he said. What has the Prime Minister done in the last ten years to halt the illegal smuggling of cattle into Bangladesh, Ramesh said using the hashtag #ChuppiTodoPradhanMantriji. Noting that cattle smuggling across the Bangladesh border has emerged as a key issue in recent years, one often raked up by the PM himself, the Congress general secretary alleged that Modi fails to mention that cattle smuggling is only a reality because of the failure of the BJP administrations at the Centre and various states. At the national level, the BSF and the Customs Department are responsible for aiding and abetting the smuggling mafia. At the state level, the origin of most of the cattle is BJP-ruled states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. State police and administration turning a blind eye to smuggling of cattle out of these states is the root cause of the issue, he claimed.

Modi condemns TMC's school jobs scam, asserts detrimental impact on Bengal's youth

Modi condemns TMC's school jobs scam, asserts detrimental impact on Bengal's youth Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the TMC over the cancellation of around 26,000 jobs following a high court, stating that the youths of West Bengal have suffered due to the ''cut-and-commission'' culture of the party, which is now ''synonymous with scams''. Addressing an election rally in Malda, the PM highlighted that the youths, who had taken loans to pay bribes to TMC leaders, are burdened by this situation. ''The TMC indulges in scams for which the people of the state have to suffer. The party has been playing with the future of the youths of Bengal,'' he said. ''The teacher recruitment scam snatched the livelihood of around 26,000 families,'' he said. Earlier this week, the Calcutta High Court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as ''null and void,'' ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. ''Under TMC rule, only one thing exists - scams totalling thousands of crores. The culprit is TMC, but the entire state is forced to pay for its deception,'' he said. Hitting out at the Congress and the TMC for spreading canards about CAA, Modi said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act ''is about granting citizenship and not snatching it.'' ''There is a competition of appeasement going on between these two parties. The Congress wants to grab your property, and the TMC is not uttering even a single word against this. The state government is working to settle Bangladeshi infiltrators in Bengal, and the Congress is talking about distributing your wealth among those,'' he said.

TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally.

TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally. TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally.

Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda.

Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda. Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda.

Didi: I Dont Interfere in Departmental Hiring; TMC Govt Moves SC Against HC Order

Kolkata: As the Trinamul Congress government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court's judgment canceling the jobs of 25,753 West Bengal school education department employees over corruption in their recruitment, chief minister Mamata Banerjee tried to distance herself the monumental scam under her rule. During the day, the School Service Commission (SSC), which recruited the candidates including teaching and non-teaching staff in 2016, filed a special leave petition at the SC against the order of the HC division bench. SSC chairman Siddhartha Majumdar said, There have been allegations against 5000 candidates of illegally getting jobs. But why would nearly 26,000 candidates lose jobs for that? The CM later raised the issue at a Lok Sabha Election campaign rally in Burdwan East in support of Bolpur TMC candidate Asit Mal. She claimed, It is the lookout of a concerned department how it recruits employees. I do not interfere in it. But nearly 26000 employees were terminated from their jobs. They were asked to return their salaries with interest. I felt bad about it. Ms Banerjee alleged, I'm asking those BJP leaders, who are snatching jobs like this, whether they would be able to return the salaries of their entire government service if they were told similarly. Where will these 26000 people go? Will the schools in Bengal go for closure? Won't teachers' recruitment happen further? She added, I still have 10 lakh government jobs to offer. But the court is stalling them if any appeal is filed. It is a big pilgrimage for the BJP. If BJP files a PIL, it gets what it asks for. But if others pray for justice, door is closed for them. Meanwhile the National Commission for Women has condemned a controversial remark by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee against Malda South BJP candidate Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury and sought a report from state DGP within four days.

Mamata Banerjee cant dare to touch CAA: Amit Shah

Malda: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) claiming that neither she nor the Congress can dare to touch the CAA. While addressing a rally at Karandighi in the Raiganj constituency, Shah slammed the TMC Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Mamata opposing granting Indian citizenship to refugees : Shah

Malda, Apr 23 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing granting Indian citizenship to the refugees Hindu, Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs now settled here after arriving from neighbouring Bangladesh. Addressing a gathering after completing a massive roadshow in favour of BJP... The post Mamata opposing granting Indian citizenship to refugees : Shah first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Shah holds roadshow in West Bengals Malda

Malda: Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Tuesday held a roadshow in West Bengals Malda, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the district. The roadshow started around 1 pm in the Malda South constituency, from Head Post office More to the Rabindra statue. Shah, standing atop a decorated lorry Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Maldaha Uttar Constituency of West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of Voting, Result, Candidates List, Main Parties, Schedule

'Opposition trying to save dynasties, BJP fulfils its promises': Nadda

MUMBAI: BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday launched an attack on the opposition parties, saying they were trying hard to save their dynastic politics. Be it the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) or Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT), the opposition parties are now trying hard to save their dynastic politics, Nadda said, addressing a rally in Maharashtras Buldhana district. Nadda claimed the BJP provided a stable government in the last 10 years and crucial issues like the practice of instant triple talaq and the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya were resolved under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. We also provided hundreds of thousands of homes to the homeless people and increased the reach of various government schemes, offering a comfortable life to the rural people, he said. The BJP-led government also came up with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that now offers Indian citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Parsis and Christians (from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have come to India), Nadda said. After Modi came to power, politics of the country changed and became more accountable to the people. In a way, it has become more responsible, the BJP chief said. Polling in the Buldhana and seven other Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held on April 26. Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Malda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that no one can stop implementation of the CAA in West Bengal. Mamata didi says she will not allow CAA in her state. Why is she trying to hoodwink the people of West Bengal? Singh asked. He said the CAA is not meant to take away anyones citizenship, but is a law for granting Indian citizenship to people displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on religious grounds. The defence minister said that India is treated with respect under the Narendra Modi-led government, unlike under previous dispensations. When we say something in an international forum, it is being listened to with respect, Singh said, adding that Modis pledge is to turn India into a developed country by 2047.

Mamata Banerjee spreading lies over CAAno power can stop it: Rajnath Singh in Malda

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No one can stop implementation of CAA in West Bengal: Rajnath

No one can stop implementation of CAA in West Bengal: Rajnath Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the BJP delivers on its promises, and maintained that no one can stop implementation of the CAA in West Bengal. He said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 is not meant to take away anyone's citizenship, but is a law for granting Indian citizenship to people displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on religious grounds. ''The Congress, Trinamool Congress or the Left parties make promises during elections that are not fulfilled, but the BJP delivers on its promises,'' he said, addressing a rally here in support of BJP candidate from Malda Uttar constituency, Khagen Murmu. He asserted that no one can stop the implementation of CAA in West Bengal, along with the rest of India. ''Mamata didi says she will not allow CAA in her state. Why is she trying to hoodwink the people of West Bengal,'' Singh said. The Centre had in March implemented the CAA, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Singh said that India is treated with respect under the Narendra Modi-led government, unlike under previous dispensations. ''When we say something in an international forum, it is listened to with respect,'' he said, adding that Modis pledge is to turn India into a developed country by 2047. Singh said promises like abolishing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have been fulfilled, and that there are indications of the coming into being of a Ram Rajya. The defence minister said the BJP government at the Centre has also delivered on its promise of abolishing triple talaq. ''We can not only bring to book terrorists inside our territory, but if anyone tries to attack our unity and pride from outside, we can dare to go beyond our borders to teach them a lesson; this is our strength,'' Singh said. Slamming the TMC, he alleged that only extortionists, criminals and the corrupt have flourished in Bengal after the party came to power. The senior BJP leader also accused the state government of denying people benefits of central welfare projects.

Extortionists, criminals and corrupt flourished under TMC rule: Rajnath Singh in Malda

The News Mill

Meat thrown in UP village temple; 4 booked

Ballia: Four people here have been booked in connection with an incidence of meat being found inside a temple here, Police said on Sunday. Sikanderpur Police Station SHO Dinesh Pathak said a piece of meat was found in the Hanuman temple in the Maldah Chatti area on Saturday afternoon. When templegoers spotted the meat, they Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Bengal's political landscape witnesses rise of dynasties this LS polls

Bengal's political landscape witnesses rise of dynasties this LS polls Dynastic politics has been a prominent feature of Indian democracy, but its increased presence in Bengal this Lok Sabha election marks a significant departure from the state's tradition of cultivating leaders from grassroots politics. Out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, 13 have candidates from political dynasties. This represents a significant increase compared to previous elections, where political dynasts were limited to just three seats. Traditionally known for its vibrant student politics, Bengal is experiencing a notable shift as influential political families are gaining prominence. ''This is a new trend or an evolution of Bengal politics from class-based politics to dynasty politics. Never in the polls have so many candidates come from political families,'' political scientist at Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Maidul Islam, told PTI. He said in Bengal where politics is dictated by the charisma of mass leaders, party symbols and issues, ''it remains to be seen how people accept these political dynasties.'' The TMC has fielded five, the Congress four, and the two parties, the BJP and the CPI (M), which used to decry dynasty politics, also have two candidates each. According to TMC, BJP, and Congress leaders, several factors contribute to the rise of political dynasties in Bengal. According to them, family members are valued for their loyalty and trustworthiness, making them reliable allies. ''The success of established family names in politics is attributed to two main factors - name recognition and networking, which make it easier for them to garner electoral support,'' a senior TMC leader said. TMC national general secretary and two-time MP from Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tops the chart of political dynasty contesting the polls. He is seeking re-election from the seat. BJPs candidate from Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, Soumendu Adhikari, comes from the powerful Adhikari family of East Midnapore, with his father Sisir Adhikari being a three-term MP from the seat, and his brother Suvendu Adhikari is the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly. In Malda South seat, the Congress has passed on the representation mantle from an indisposed Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, Congress patriarch ABA Ghani Khan Choudhurys brother who won the seat without a break from the 2006 bypolls, to his son Isha Khan Choudhury, a former Congress MLA. CPI(M)s South Kolkata candidate Saria Shah Halim, is also from a political dynasty, as her father-in-law, Hashim Abdul Halim, was the longest-serving speaker of West Bengal assembly, and her husband, Fuad Halim, is a CPI(M) state committee member. ''If a son of a doctor aspires to be a doctor, a son of an advocate aspires to be a lawyer, then what is wrong in children or relatives of politicians following similar footsteps? It becomes problematic only when eligibility criteria are compromised, leading to a concentration of power,'' TMC leader Santanu Sen told PTI. The TMC has fielded its sitting MP from Uluberia Sajda Ahmed, wife of former TMC MP Sultan Ahmed; it has repeated its Jaynagar candidate Pratima Mandal, the daughter of former party MP Gobinda Chandra Naskar. From the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, the party has fielded former cricketer Kirti Azad, a former BJP MP from Bihar, who is the son of former Bihar Chief Minister Bhagwat Jha Azad. The Bengal Congress has fielded its veteran leader Nepal Mahato from Purulia, son of former MP Debendra Mahato, and also Mortaza Hossain, grandson of former minister Abdus Sattar, from Jangipur seat. ''It is not just because of my family; I too have been an MLA here and served the people for the last 15 years,'' Congress candidate from Raiganj Ali Imran Ramz, son of veteran Forward Bloc leader Mohammed Ramzan Ali and nephew of former minister in the Left Front government Hafiz Alam Sairani, said. BJP candidate from Bongaon seat, Shantanu Thakur, who comes from Matua-Thakurbari family, with his father Manjul Krishna Thakur being a former minister in TMC cabinet and his aunt Mamata Bala Thakur being a TMC MP. CPI(M)s Serampore candidate Dipsita Dhar, a youth leader, is granddaughter of former three-term MLA Padma Nidhi Dhar. The BJP and CPI(M) defended their decisions to field candidates with political lineage by saying, ''Their candidature has nothing to do with their families.'' ''Both Saria Shah Halim and Dipsita Dhar are good leaders and speakers. It has nothing to do with dynasty,'' CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said. West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said the party has been vocal against dynasty politics, but in the case of Thakur and Soumendu Adhikari, both are well-known leaders. ''Both are leaders in their own right and got party tickets based on their winnability,'' he said. Although political dynasties have been prevalent in Bengal politics since pre-independence era, post-independence, especially since the late Fifties, student politics was considered the breeding ground for next-generation politicians. CM Mamata Banerjee, former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Left Front chairman Biman Bose, and Congress leaders Somen Mitra and Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi are products of student politics. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty said the trend of dynasty politics will gain momentum due to a lack of leaders emerging from campuses. ''Earlier, colleges and universities were breeding grounds for the next-generation politicians. But except for Presidency College and Jadavpur University, none of the universities and colleges had a student body election in last five years. So there is hardly any new batch of leaders, forcing the political parties to rely on dynasties,'' he said.

Vote for CPM, Congress will help BJP in Bengal: Mamata

Banerjee rallies in Malda, Murshidabad against NRC, CAA, Uniform Civil Code. Urges Trinamool vote for citizenship protection, criticizes Congress/CPI-M, emphasizes minority concerns in Bengal politics.

Will ensure that Trinamool Congress draws a blank in Murshidabad: Adhir Chowdhury

Murshidabad and Malda are the two districts where the electoral understanding between the Congress and Left parties is likely to pose a challenge to both the Trinamool and the BJP

EC chalked out seven-phase polls to assist BJP campaigning: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Election Commission of India chalked out seven-phase polls to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues to carry out extensive campaigning using the nation's resources. Addressing a public meeting at Gajol in Malda district in support of Maldaha Uttar TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee, a former IPS officer, Mamata Banerjee, the party supremo, said polls have been scheduled from April 19 to June 1 so that Modi and his cabinet colleagues can travel on special planes across the country before every phase to overwhelm the Opposition.

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee attacks INDI Alliance partners

In Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP, Mamata Banerjee said while campaigning for Malda North Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee Malda (West Bengal) [India], April 20 ANI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaigned for Malda North Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee on Saturday and asked what the BJP has done except causing harm to the people. She claimed that in Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP. At a public rally here, the West Bengal CM danced and played drums on the stage. Mamata Banerjee said, What has the BJP done for anyone? Has it done anything else except causing harm to people? During elections, we stay in rented hotels but on the other hand, PM Modi uses army benefits such as planes. Have you ever heard of anyone from the BJP or Congress going to Delhi and talking about Bengal? She hits out at incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu and asked where he was when funds were stopped for MGNREGA workers for 100 days of work. In Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP. They suspended our MPs in Parliament but still, we went to Delhi and raised our demands. When the NRC was implemented in Assam, our leaders were stopped at Guwahati Airport; and seven cases were registered against me, she added. She further stated that the BJP won't succeed in Bengal, South India, Punjab and Delhi, and the number of votes in MP and Rajasthan would be reduced to 50 per cent so the target of 400 seats is exaggerated. Last time during the election, they assured Rs 15 lakh in everyone's account. Has anyone received the money yet? she asked. The state's three parliamentary constituencies--Coochbehar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri--all of which were won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, voted on Friday in the first phase of the general elections. Polling in the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal is being held across all seven phases: April 19, April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4. Though the TMC is part of the INDIA bloc, it does not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the other parties in the alliance, like Congress and the Left parties in the state. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4. However, the BJP came up with a much-improved showing in the 2019 polls, winning 18 seats against the TMC's 22. The Congress's tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank. (ANI)

Special trains to be run from SMV Bengaluru to Malda Town, Santragachchi to Secunderabad via Duvvada to clear rush

Aakar Patel| We cant forget how govt failed to tackle Covids 2021 2nd wave

Three years ago, on April 15, 2021, the National Task Force on Covid-19 met for the first time in three months (the last meeting was on January 11). Cases were now at 216,000 and deaths over 1,100. Two days after that, on April 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held what he said was his largest-ever rally at Asansol in West Bengal, with lakhs of people in the audience. The daily positive cases that day were 260,000 with 1,500 deaths. Till this time, Mr Modi had appeared to be oblivious to the power of exponential growth though the government was warned specifically and severally about an impending second wave. It was only after he returned that evening from West Bengal and perhaps internalised the commentary on television of the devastation in Delhis hospitals that Mr Modi acted. The next day, April 18, he cancelled any further activity at the Kumbh Mela. Daily cases were now at 275,000 but it still took another four days for Mr Modi to cancel his rallies in Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Kolkata. He said the rallies would be virtual (in reality, only the speaker was virtual and appeared on a screen; the crowd still gathered). By now, cases were at 332,000, with 2,200 deaths daily. The same day that Mr Modi cancelled his rallies, the obliging Election Commission banned rallies for all parties. In guiding India through this second wave, Mr Modi flew by the seat of his pants. Structurally, there was nothing other than his office running the Covid-19 strategy. The Union Cabinet did not decide or discuss a single issue related to the pandemic as the second wave surged through March and April 2021. It met five times, but only to clear things like the second phase of Bengalurus metro project and some memoranda of understanding with foreign nations. Even on May 11, it met only to approve things like a ropeway project in Uttarakhand. Ministers did not appear to know what Mr Modis vaccination strategy was, or if indeed he had any. On May 18, Nitin Gadkari asked for more firms to be issued licences to make the vaccine. This was reported the next day, and it was pointed out that this was exactly what former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had suggested to Mr Modi a month before (a suggestion that was met with an insolent reply from Harsh Vardhan). In the face of calamity, Mr Modi froze. In the seven months from March to September 2020, Mr Modi made 82 public appearances physical as well as virtual. In the next four months, he made 111 such appearances. From February to April 25, 2021, he clocked 92 public appearances. From April 25, after he called off the Kumbh and his West Bengal rallies, Mr Modi disappeared. He made no public appearance for 20 days. The Prime Minister of India fled the field when his people needed the government most. Twice in 2020, in April and in November, the government had been warned that an oxygen shortage was looming. The minutes of one meeting said in clear terms: In the coming days India could face a shortage of oxygen supplies. While before April, Mr Modi did not himself take the pandemic seriously, he also insisted on managing it personally. If there was any strategy at all in tackling the pandemic, it came directly from Mr Modis office; there was no role for the Cabinet in pandemic control, PMO calls the shots, as a newspaper headline put it. This was in keeping with the way in which he has run the government all this time. A wave that began at the end of February was not only allowed to gather momentum, it was goaded on. Through four weeks of March, through three weeks of April, India held gigantic gatherings directly organised by the BJP or approved and encouraged by it. The consequences were felt by the countrys healthcare system, which was always fragile and unavailable to the poor at the best of times. Here, the second aspect to tackling a pandemic, the failure to anticipate the effects of a sudden wave and the preparation of a war chest of medical equipment, came into playIn the eight weeks between March 1 and April 30, Indias daily cases grew 40 times from 11,000 to more than 400,000. No healthcare system in the world can handle an explosion of patients of this sort. The only way to protect the population is to stockpile things that may not be immediately required today but are produced and procured and set aside in anticipation of a waves peak. India did not do that. In April 2020, the government decided it would procure 50,000 Make in India ventilators, but ultimately only procured 35,000 of them after it determined that the pandemic had been seen off. Corporates like Maruti said they had made ventilators, but the government chose not to procure them. Two months before the second wave, on February 21, 2021, the BJP passed a resolution: It can be said with pride that India not only defeated Covid under the able, sensitive, committed and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, but also infused in all its citizens the confidence to build an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The party unequivocally hails its leadership for introducing India to the world as a proud and victorious nation in the fight against Covid. When the crematoria began to overflow, no reference to this was made. All this may not affect the claims and the bombast, but this is not history from 1526, this happened to us just three years ago and must not be forgotten.

River erosion and water scarcity creating challenges in Maldaha Uttar LS constituency

River erosion and water scarcity creating challenges in Maldaha Uttar LS constituency The Maldaha Uttar Lok Sabha constituency in the northern part of West Bengal, set for polling on May 7, grapples with enduring challenges including river erosion, substandard healthcare infrastructure, and drinking water shortages. Candidates competing to represent the constituency recognise that addressing these persistent issues must be a primary focus of their campaign agendas. Once considered to be a stronghold of the Congress, the constituency has seen the emergence of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over the past decade. While the TMC holds sway over Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, and Ratua assembly seats which are part of the Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP has made inroads in Habibpur, Gazole, and Maldaha segments. Incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu, confident of retaining the seat for the second term, emphasised his efforts to address local grievances despite resistance from the state government. He cited challenges in implementing central schemes due to ''lack of cooperation'' from the state administration. ''I am confident of winning with a big margin. People of this constituency have realised that the local administration and the state government do not want any development for them. They have been deprived because of the non-cooperative attitude of the state government. I have fought for them and the people of Maldaha Uttar know it. I know they will vote for me again,'' the BJP nominee told PTI. Murmu, a former CPI(M) MLA from Habibpur who joined the BJP in 2019, alleged that he had faced ''huge resistance from the state government whenever he tried to implement any central government scheme''. ''There is a huge population who are still residing in kutcha houses. I tried to help them rebuild their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, but the state government did everything to prevent me from helping the poor people,'' he said. He also referred to the persisting problems of river erosion and inadequate drinking water and alleged that people of his constituency were ''getting poor quality provisions'' procured from ration shops. ''I have requested the state minister several times to send a detailed project report to the Centre so that river erosion could be checked. But that never happened,'' Murmu alleged. He said Ganga river erosion displaced thousands of villagers at Mahanandtola gram panchayat under Ratua assembly seat. Opposing Murmu's claims, TMC MLA Samar Mukherjee criticised the BJP for its ''failure to fulfil promises to arrest river erosion before the 2019 elections''. ''Ganga river erosion is a major issue that affects the lives of thousands of people in Malda and Murshidabad districts. Our government helped villagers who were displaced by erosion. They are very upset with the BJP MP as he has failed in keeping his promise,'' Mukherjee said. Congress candidate Mostaque Alam expressed confidence that his party will win the elections as people are ''fed up with the BJP and TMC's politics''. Alam questioned understanding of the grassroots politics of IPS officer-turned-TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee. ''What does he (Prasun Banerjee) know about politics? You cannot gauge the pulse of the people suddenly after coming out of an air-conditioned room. Maldaha Uttar is not that an easy affair,'' the Congress leader said. He said people have realised that the ''politics of the BJP and the TMC will not benefit them''. Banerjee, a 2006-batch IPS officer, has held several important positions, including Inspector General (IG) of Raiganj range, before taking voluntary retirement to contest elections. ''I had offers from the TMC and was promised to be inducted into Mamata Banerjee's Cabinet, but they do not know that I am not a traitor. I started as a student leader under the leadership of ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, worked with leaders like Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Pradip Chakraborty, and have learnt what politics is all about,'' Alam told PTI over the phone. Banerjee declined to reply to his opponents and went on to say, ''I do not want to speak anything now. June 4 will reveal everything.'' In the 2019 polls, the BJP secured over 37.5 per cent of the votes, while the TMC and the Congress had a share of 31 per cent and 22.5 per cent, respectively. Maldaha Uttar parliamentary constituency will go to polls on May 7.

West Bengals BJP MP caught kissing women while campaigning

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and incumbent MP of West Bengals Malda Uttar constituency Khagen Murmu got embroiled in a controversy over allegedly kissing a girl while campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. The incident occurred on April 8 when Murmu did a live Facebook stream while campaigning in Chanchals Srihipur village. He kissed a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

BJP MP Khagen Murmu Caught in Controversy Over Campaign Kiss

Trinamul Congress criticizes BJP's Khagen Murmu after photos surface of him allegedly kissing a woman during a door-to-door campaign in Malda Uttar constituency

Dakshin Malda LS Election: Meet BJP`s Nirbhoy Didi, Only Female Candidate In North Bengal

Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury is currently serving as MLA fromEnglish Bazar constituency.

2021 Video Of BJP Workers Vandalising Party Office Peddled As Recent

BOOM found that the incident took place in West Bengal's Malda over candidate choice for the 2021 assembly election.