WB Polls: Nearly 80% Turnout Recorded, Phase-1 of Voting Ends
Catch all the live updates on the West Bengal Assembly elections here.
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The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections ended on Saturday, 27 March, with nearly 80 percent voter turnout recorded till 5:30 PM. Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP leaders met Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata, following the alleged attack on BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's brother, Soumendu Adhikari.
The 30 of 294 seats polling in the first phase are spread across the districts of Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. This area is popularly known as the Jangalmahal and has a high Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population.
- Mamata Banerjee accused PM Modi of attempting to seek votes from a section of people in the state while he was on a visit to Bangladesh
- Tensions are high in East Midnapore after two security personnel were injured in a firing incident ahead of polls
- The BJP has alleged TMC of ‘influencing voters’ in East Midnapore
- BJP claims Soumendu Adhikari’s vehicle was attacked in Contai and a driver was beaten up
- The results for the elections will be declared on 2 May
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A Caste Experiment
These elections in Bengal will go down in history as the first in the state where voting along caste lines has been openly discussed.
Both the BJP and the TMC have made concerted efforts since the Lok Sabha elections to win over the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste votes in these districts.
The Importance of Jangalmahal
Historically, Jangalmahal has been one of the most politically turbulent, backward and under-represented areas in West Bengal.
The area is especially known for the massive Maoist insurgencies and violence that shook the place from the 90s to about 2011.
In Lok Sabha elections of 2019, the BJP swept the Jangalmahal districts, almost entirely winning districts like Purulia and Bankura. The saffron party managed to swing the tribal and SC votes to its favour, ultimately winning 18 out of the 42 parliamentary seats in the state.
In the 2021 state elections, therefore, the Trinamool Congress is looking to win back lost ground, as is the Left-Congress alliance.
First Phase Of Polling Begins
The first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections begins in 30 seats.
West Bengal Polls: PM Modi Urges Voter to Exercise Their Franchise
Prime Minister requests voters in West Bengal to "exercise their franchise in record numbers" as phase one voting begins.
Vehicle Catches Fire Under 'Mysterious Circumstances' In Purulia
A vehicle caught fire under ‘mysterious circumstances’ as it was returning after delivering food to the polling workers in Purulia last night, reported ANI.
The driver has been taken for questioning. More details awaited.
Mamata Urges Voters to Exercise 'Democratic Right'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urges citizens to vote in large numbers.
TMC Workers Creating Disturbance in Midnapore: BJP Candidate Alleges
BJP candidate from West Midnapore Samit Das alleged that TMC workers were ‘creating disturbance.’
“Voting underway smoothly in Midnapore town. But, at some places in rural areas, TMC workers are trying to create a disturbance. At booth Number 266, 267, 7-8 TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters. We've complained to EC,” Das told ANI.
Two Security Personnel Injured in Firing Incident
Two security personnel were injured in a firing incident at East Midnapore’s Satsatmal, Bhagwanpur Assembly constituency, earlier today, ahead of voting for West Bengal polls.
“Those associated with TMC trying to terrorise people in Argoal panchayat area,” claims Anup Chakraborty, BJP District President, reported ANI.
Bengal's Daughter Will Defeat Traitor: Derek O'Brien
TMC MP Derek O'Brien said that Bengal’s daughter will defeat the ‘traitor’ in his own backyard in Nandigram.
“TMC will win Bengal. Bengal's daughter will defeat Bengal's traitor in his own backyard at Nandigram, members of tourist gang will continue to do what they do best – try and destroy institutions in India,” O’Brien said.
West Bengal Assembly Polls: 7.7% Voter Turnout Till 9 AM
10-Member TMC Delegation to Meet EC at Noon
A 10-member Trinamool Parliamentary delegation led by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, leader Lok Sabha and Derek O'Brien, leader Rajya Sabha to meet Election Commission in Kolkata at 12:00 noon today.
Vote Against Divisive Forces: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged people to cast their ballot to strengthen democracy and divisive forces.
BJP Delegation to Meet Election Commission
A BJP delegation led by National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya will meet Chief Election Officer of West Bengal at 2 PM.
TMC Writes to EC Seeking Clarity Over 'Genuineness' of Voter Turnout Data
TMC MP Derek O'Brien wrote to the Election Commission, raising question about the ‘genuineness’ of the voter turnout data provided by the body.
"Voter turnout for ACs Kanthi Dakshin (216) and Kanthi Uttar (213) at 9:13am was 18.47 percent and 18.95 percent respectively. Four minutes later, at 9:17am, voter turnout reduced to 10.60 percent and 9:40 percent. Such discrepancy raises question on genuineness of data issued by EC," he wrote.
West Bengal Assembly Polls: 24.61% Voter Turnout Till 11 AM
Soumendu Adhikari's Vehicle Attacked, Says TMC
Dibyendu Adhikari, TMC leader and brother of Soumendu Adhikari alleged that the latter’s vehicle was attacked in Contai and a driver was beaten up.
“I got to know that vehicle (of Soumendu Adhikari) was attacked in Contai with help of TMC block president Ram Govind Das. Soumendu isn't injured. Driver was beaten up. I've informed the cops,” Adhikari said.
In Photos: West Bengal Phase One Polling Underway
TMC Meets EC Over Appointment Of Booth Agents
A delegation of TMC leaders met Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata, opposing the change in the system of appointing booth agents.
“We demand that from the next phase the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth. CEO has assured us to look into the matter,” he added.
West Bengal Elections: 40.73% Voter Turnout Till 1:00 PM
West Bengal Elections: 54.90% Voter Turnout Till 2:00 PM
West Bengal Elections: 70.17% Voter Turnout Till 3 PM
70.17 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 3 pm, in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections.
Purba Medinipur has recorded 72.38 percent, Poschim Medinipur, has recorded 68.76 percent, Purulia is at 69.24 percent, Bankura has recorded 68.03 percent and Jhargram is at 72.10 percent.
'BJP Bringing Goons From Outside', Alleges Mamata Banerjee
On Saturday, 27 March, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bhartiya Janata Party was bringing “goons from outside".
She asked the women of the state to “confront the hoodlums with 'hata' and 'khunti' (ladle and spatula)", PTI reported.
'Why Shouldn't Your Visa Be Cancelled': Mamata Banerjee on PM Modi's Bangladesh Visit
On Saturday, 27 March, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to seek votes from a section of people in the state while he was on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
As per ANI, addressing a gathering in Kharagpur, she said, “Elections are underway here and he (PM) goes to Bangladesh and lectures on Bengal. It is a total violation of code of conduct of the Election Commission.”
She also asked why shouldn’t PM Modi’s visa be “cancelled".
"In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when a Bangladeshi actor attended our rally, BJP spoke to Bangladesh government and cancelled his visa. When polls are underway here, you (PM) go to Bangladesh to seek votes from a section of people. Why shouldn't your visa be cancelled? We shall complain to the Election Commission,” she added.
West Bengal Elections: 77.99% Voter Turnout Till 5 PM
77.99 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 5 pm, in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections.
West Bengal Elections: 79.79% Voter Turnout Till 5:30 PM
Nearly 80 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 5:30 pm, in the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections.
BJP, TMC Workers Clash in Nandigram, At Least 3 Injured
On Saturday, 27 March, the workers of Bhartiya Janata Party and Trinamool Congress allegedly clashed in Nandigram in West Bengal, police said, PTI reported.
At least three people were reportedly injured.
First Phase of Polling in West Bengal Elections Ends
The first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections ended on Saturday, 27 March. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was recorded till 5:30 pm.
TMC Worker Alleges BJP Entered Booth Before Sealing of EVMs; BJP Worker Says 'Ensuring EVMs Are Protected'
As the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections ended on Saturday, 27 March, the workers of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) gathered outside Nirmal Hirday Ashram School polling booth in Medinipur assembly constituency in Paschim Medinipur.
As per ANI, a TMC worker alleged that after voting concluded and before the EVMs were sealed, “two BJP workers entered the booth but central forces did not stop them.”
"The two BJP workers were removed from the booth when we protested and called media persons. Central forces are working in a biased manner," the TMC worker alleged.
Meanwhile, a BJP worker reportedly said that they were there to ensure that the “EVMs are protected.”