West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates: It’s the assembly elections season in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Polling happened in a single phase in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on April 6, while voters in Assam cast their votes in three phases. Polling in Bengal is happening in eight phases. Of these, four phases have concluded. The next phase will take place on April 17. The election campaign and canvassing has continued there in full swing. Counting of votes in all states will happen on May 2. In Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is fighting to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s surge at bay. The saffron party has shown a dramatic electoral rise in the state over the last few years. In Assam, the state’s governing BJP is hoping to retain power even as it faces ‘Mahajot’, the joint opposition alliance comprising the Congress, AIUDF and other regional parties. Congress and the Left Front, which are allies in Bengal, are competing for power in Kerala. The Congress-led UDF and the ruling LDF have been winning alternate elections since the early 1980s. Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK has continued its alliance with the BJP amid a challenge from MK Stalin-led DMK and its alliance partners. However, one of the key things to watch out for in the southern state is how some of the smaller parties – including that of actor Kamal Haasan and TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK – may impact the poll outcome. With their government having collapsed due to defections weeks before the election, V Narayanasamy-led Congress is battling the BJP-NR Congress alliance in Puducherry.
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West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | CM Mamata Banerjee:
What mistake Mamata Banerjee did by appealing to everyone to vote unitedly? I want votes from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Chrisitian, mothers, sisters, students, and youth.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | CM Mamata Banerjee in Bidhannagar:
BJP knows that they will lose the election so they are taking help from all central agencies to stop me from campaigning.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | CM Mamata Banerjee in Bidhannagar:
BJP knows that they will lose the election so they are taking help from all central agencies to stop me from campaigning.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Only BJP can stop infiltration in Bengal, says Amit Shah
Taking a swipe at BJP's main political opponents in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said "Communists, Congress and Trinamool Congress have vote banks in 'infiltrators', and only BJP can stop infiltration in Bengal". "If things continue the same way, Kolkata will face the problem of infiltration as well in the nearby time. Communists, Congress and Mamata Didi all have vote banks in these infiltrators. Only BJP can stop infiltration in Bengal," said the BJP leader while addressing a public meeting in Bidhannagar.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | BJP chief JP Nadda:
She (Mamata Banerjee) can go (to Cooch Behar), it's democracy but she said nothing about Anand Burman, a 22-yr-old youth who was killed. We spoke about everyone, the 4 people who were killed, Anand Burman, & even the Bihar SHO who was beaten to death in Uttar Dinajpur.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | BJP chief JP Nadda:
She (Mamata Banerjee) is the CM but she said nothing. She looks at everything through the glasses of politics. We look at society from a development point of view and we speak of taking everyone together.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Election Commission warns BJP's Suvendu Adhikari for March 29 speech
Election Commission of India has warned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari over a speech delivered by him on March 29, for which he had filed a reply on April 9.
The Election Commission has advised him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances when Model Code of Conduct is in force.
An order from the EC stated, "Whereas, the Commission has issued a notice dated April 8 to Suvendu Adhikari, candidate of BJP from 210-Nandigram Assembly Constituency for violation of provisions contained in clause (2) and (3) of Part 1 of 'General Conduct of Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates' during ongoing General Election to Legislative Assembly of West Bengal."
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
EC imposed campaign ban on Mamata at BJP's behest: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission''s decision to bar West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours was taken at the behest of the BJP.
This was a "direct attack on democracy" and sovereignty of independent institutions of the country, Raut claimed, and asked why only Banerjee was punished when other parties also violated some or the other rules during the ongoing West Bengal election.
Terming Banerjee as the "Bengal Tigress", the Sena''s chief spokesperson expressed solidarity with her and claimed she will win the election in her state.
The Shiv Sena, which is not contesting the West Bengal polls, has extended its support to Banerjee, who heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Mamata Banerjee's plight same as that of defeated player: JP Nadda
Taking at dig at TMC's 'khela hobe' (game will be played) slogan, BJP president JP Nadda today said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's plight is that of a "defeated player".Nadda, who led a roadshow at Kalna in Purba Bardhaman district, said: "Mamata's condition is like that of a defeated playerin a game. She has done injustice to the people of the state for many years. The BJP, however, will usher in development,stop atrocities on women and create jobs for youth, if voted to power." He also said that the TMC dispensation has failed to maintain law and order in Bengal. (PTI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh in Swarupnagar:
I saw on television that there is a bomb factory here. I thought it was a government factory, but bombs were made to attack opponents. How was it possible to make bombs under CM's leadership? If BJP government is formed, there will be either bombs or us. (ANI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Swapan Dasgupta, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenger in Bengal’s holy Tarakeswar town, who has the backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fears the state’s crippled economy will soon slip into rigor mortis if not lifted with serious planning. According to Dasgupta, Sonar Bangla, or the El Dorado (the proverbial city of gold), can only happen if the right-wing party wins power and drives some serious investment which has not happened for long.
Read more | Swapan Dasgupta: 'The people know they need jobs, growth and a vibrant economy'
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
BJP national president JP Nadda is holding a roadshow in Bardhaman
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Triangular contest in Bengal; there is strong undercurrent against TMC, BJP: Congress' Hariprasad
A triangular contest is playing out in the West Bengal Assembly polls and the results will spring a surprise with a strong undercurrent against both the TMC and the BJP and in favour of the Left-Congress-ISF alliance, senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad said today. Hariprasad, who is overseeing the Congress' campaign management for the West Bengal polls as a senior observer, also dismissed claims that the party is not fighting the election with all its might, saying this was a "disinformation campaign of the Nagpur university" people, a reference to the RSS. In a telephonic interview with PTI, he said all Congress leaders as well as workers were on the ground in West Bengal and former party chief Rahul Gandhi would be campaigning in the upcoming phases of polls. (PTI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah:
Didi calls me an outsider. She calls PM an outsider. Didi, I'll tell you who's outsider. Communists' ideology is outsider, brought from China-Russia. Congress' leadership is outsider, came from Italy. TMC vote bank is outsider, infiltrators.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
BJP national president JP Nadda is holding a roadshow in Katwa, West Bengal
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
The Election Commission (EC) on April 13 issued a showcause notice to West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh over his remarks that more Cooch Behar-like killings may happen in the next phase of assembly elections if "naughty boys like the ones who died in Sitalkuchi" try to take the law into their hands. The poll body asked Ghosh to explain his stand over his remark by 10 am on April 14.
Read more | EC issues notice to West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh over his Sitalkuchi violence remarks
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
After we form the government in West Bengal, we will change Darjeeling Municipality into the Darjeeling Municipal Corporation. The BJP will fight anyone for the respect of our Gorkha brothers. We will work to give official status to the Gorkha language.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
The Forest Rights Act is implemented everywhere in the country, except Bengal. Didi has stopped its implementation. We will implement the Forest Rights Act 2006 on the Darjeeling Hills and you'd enjoy all the rights under the regulation.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
11 leftover Gorkha sub-castes want ST status, a matter that has been pending for years. The BJP government wanted to resolve this, but Mamata Banerjee did not attend any meeting on this issue.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
Our Constitution has the solution of every problem. The double-engine BJP government will bring a political solution to the Gorkha problem after forming the government in Bengal. You will not have to revolt.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
Gorkhas need to be brought to the mainstream. They've always sacrificed themselves for the nation. In 1986-88, Communists flamed fires on the hills and shot and killed over 1,200 Gorkhas! We have not forgotten that.Didi has continued the trend in the last 10 years.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Darjeeling:
Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful cities in India, and is one of the oldest established cities in India. It received the first electric connection in India, in 1897. India's second oldest municipality was built here in 1850. The three Darjeeling seats are very important for the BJP. On one side, there will be a victory on 197 seats and another 3 from this region.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah is addressing a public meeting in Darjeeling, West Bengal
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
The Election Commission of India has warned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikarifor alleged communal overtones in his speech made during a speech delivered by him on March 29, for which he had filed a reply on April 9. The poll body has advised him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances when the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
The Election Commission of India has asked West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh to explain his stand by 10.00 am tomorrow over his statement on Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar violence. (ANI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a ban on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rahul Sinha from campaigning in any manner for 48 hours till 12.00 pm on April 15 over his remarks on the violence at Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar during the fourth phase of Legislative Assembly elections in West Bengal. The ban will commence at 12 pm on April 13, said the poll body.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sits on dharna at Gandhi Murti, as a mark of protest after the Election Commission of India (ECI) imposed a ban on her for 24 hours from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm of April 12 till 8 pm of April 13.
(Image: ANI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
For the Election Commission of India (EC) in the West Bengal elections, it is a test of credibility, the toughest it has faced in recent times. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) termed it as a handmaiden of the Narendra Modi government while the BJP is also arguing that the EC actions against the TMC are not as swift or stringent as they should be. The TMC has described ECs decision to ban CM Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours as a “black day for democracy”. She will sit in a protest in Kolkata on April 13 against the same and then do two rallies later in the night after the ban ends at 8 pm.
Read more | EC faces toughest credibility test in West Bengal as TMC, BJP take a jab at its recent record
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah will address a public meeting in Darjeeling at 11.30 am
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Derek O'Brien, TMC's Rajya Sabha MP, said it was a black day for India's democracy after the Election Commission barred West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours for her remarks against central forces and a statement that had alleged religious overtones. "EC stands for Extremely Compromised. April 12 BLACKDAY in our democracy," O'Brien tweeted.
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | BJP national president JP Nadda will hold three roadshows and address a town hall meeting in West Bengal today:
> Roadshow in Katwa at 12.45 pm
> Roadshow in Bardhaman at 2.45 pm
> Roadshow in Nadia at 4.30 pm
> Town hall meeting in Rajarghat at 7.15 pm
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
The Election Commission yesterday barred West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours for her remarks against central forces and a statement that had alleged religious overtones. "Commission hereby condemns such statements potent with serious law and order problems across the state(s) and sternly warns Mamata Banerjee and advises her to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force," the order said. It said that the "commission also imposes a ban of 24 hours on Ms Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm of April 12 till 8 pm of April 13". (PTI)
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
On the morning of April 10, during the fourth phase of the bitterly contested assembly elections in West Bengal, a mob allegedly surrounded central forces in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar, beat up poll officials and tried to snatch rifles from the jawans of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). In a separate incident of political violence, another person lost his life. Meanwhile, in Uttar Dinajpur, a police officer from in Bihar was allegedly beaten to death when he was searching for stolen bikes. The violence has intensified Hindu-Muslim polarisation in the volatile state.
Read how will Sitalkuchi firing deaths, a murder and lynching of Bihar cop shape Bengal electionsWest Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Union HomeMinister Amit Shah yesterday asserted that the BJP is ahead in 92 of the 135 seats that went to polls in the first fourphases of the West Bengal assembly elections, and asked people to give a grand farewell to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by handing over 200 plus seats to the saffron party. Seeking to allay fears created among the people ofDarjeeling hills by "lies" spread by the Trinamool Congress, the senior BJP leader said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will have no impact on the Gorkhas.
Read more |BJP ahead in 92 of 135 seats after four phases of poll in Bengal: Amit Shah
West Bengal Elections 2021 LIVE Updates |
Members of the Trinamool Congress joined Mamata Banerjee in slamming the ElectionCommission for its decision to bar her from campaigning for 24 hours in the West Bengal Assembly polls.Coming down heavily on the EC,TMC national vice-president Yashwant Sinha said every institution of democracy has beencompromised. "We always had a doubt about the impartiality of the EC. But, today it has shed whatever pretence it had. Now it is clear that EC is acting at the behest of Modi/Shah and undertheir direct order."
Assembly Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah will address three public meetings and one roadshow in West Bengal today:
> Public meeting in Darjeeling at 11.30 am
> Public meeting in Nagrakata at 12.45 pm
> Roadshow in Islampur at 2.20 pm
> Public meeting in Bidhannagar at 5 pm
Assembly Elections 2021 LIVE Updates | TMC writes to EC, seeks strict action against BJP leaders for 'inflammatory' remarks
The TMC yesterday urged the Election Commission to take strict action against BJP leaderswho allegedly made inflammatory remarks over the Cooch Behar firing incident that claimed the lives of "four unarmed civilians", shortly before the poll panel barred party supremo Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours.In a letter to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab, the party said several BJP leaders, including party state Dilip Ghosh, were "instigating" violence with their warnings of more Cooch Behar-like episodes.Amid the polling for the fourth phase of assembly elections on April 10, four persons were killed in Sitalkuchiarea of Cooch Behar when CISF personnel opened fire allegedly after coming under attack from locals who had "attempted tosnatch their rifles". (PTI)
Hello and welcome to Moneycontrol’s LIVE coverage of the campaigning for Assembly election 2021.
It’s the assembly elections season in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Polling happened in a single phase in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on April 6, while voters in Assam cast their votes in three phases. Polling in Bengal is happening in eight phases. Of these, four phases have concluded.
Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for the latest updates through the day.
