West Bengal Elections Highlights: Mamata Banerjee calls EC 'helpless', says they are only listening to BJP

West Bengal is set to vote in the second phase of the Assembly elections on April 1, as candidates concluded their campaigning yesterday. The focus is now on Nandigram as Mamata will take on her former ally Suvendu Adhikari. Stay tuned to DH for more updates.

Follow all the updates of West Bengal Assembly elections here.

All eyes on Nandigram in the second phase of West Bengal polls

All eyes will be on the Nandigram Assembly constituency when voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections will take place on Thursday.

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Strongly believe that time has come for united and effective struggle against BJP's attacks on democracy, Constitution: Mamata Banerjee

For the second phase, we have 3,210 polling booths in 1,937 premises for 22.82 lakh voters: East Midnapore DM

Central Police Forces (CPF) is conducting a route march. For the second phase, we have 3,210 polling booths in 1,937 premises for 22.82 lakh voters. Section 144 imposed in Tamluk & Nandigram to avoid any untoward incident: Smita Pandey, East Midnapore, DM.

BJP national president JP Nadda campaigns for Baishali Dalmiya in Howrah

Who came from Bhawanipur to Nandigram to fight? If the CM comes to fight a minister, who’s the bigger leader? Suvendu Ji has accepted the challenge & will defeat her in Nandigram. The people of Nandigram will give a message of delivering a TMC-free West Bengal: JP Nadda

BJP files complain against TMC MP for 'false allegations' against PM Modi, Shah

Mamata Banerjee promises action against 'attackers', claims has videos

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that she has photographs and videos of those who attacked her car in Nandigram on Tuesday and would take up the issue after the elections.

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BJP leader JP Nadda holds roadshow in Bengal

No cellular/cordless phone, wireless sets shall be allowed within 100 meters of the polling premises except by persons on election duty: Sub-divisional magistrate, Haldia, East Midnapore

Every year, West Bengal sends Rs 75,000 crores to the Central government. But when they send Rs 1,000 crores for Amphan relief, BJP leaders say it has been sent by Modi Ji. This is our money, not of fathers of BJP leaders: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in Alipurduar

CM Mamata Banerjee passes a football to the crowd, at her public rally in Howrah

Never seen such helpless Election Commission, accuses Mamata Banerjee

We are complaining to the Election Commission every day but they are not listening to us. They are listening to only what BJP is saying. I have not seen such a helpless EC: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Shova Majumdar's death speaks of the condition of 'maa' in TMC-ruled Bengal: BJP chief J P Nadda at Hoogly

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC imposed in West Bengal's Nandigram ahead of polling: EC official

In the 13th Finance Commission, Rs 1.32 lakh crore was provided to Bengal.Under PM Modi and the 14th Finance Commission, Rs 4.48 lakh crore was provided for the development of Bengal, four times more: JP Nadda in Hoogly

PM Modi wants to serve the people of Bengal, but the engine of the state has become defective. Vote for BJP and put a double-engine government in the state. Let the money from the Centre be used on the ground for development: J P Nadda said in Hoogly

I want to extend my support for the BJP candidate in Hoogly. The PM Kisaan scheme will be implemented in the state along with Ayushman Bharat and Jal Jeevan Mission under the BJP: J P Nadda in Hoogly

Mamata di says she would distribute food grains to the poor during election campaigning.When PM Modi had sent food grains for the poor and needy of Bengal during Covid, what did the TMC goons do? These thieves are today making promises of distributing food grains: J P Nadda in Hoogly, West Bengal

"You call yourself the daughter of Bengal? You failed to protect the mother of Bengal," J P Nadda said, talking about Shova Majumdar.

"In Bengal, crime against women including attempt to murder, unsolved missing cases, acid attacks, domestic violence, all cases are increasing. Those who keep saying 'Maa Maati Maanush', calling themselves mother, daughter and Didi of Bengal, have done nothing for women in the state," he added.

Mamata di has betrayed the people of Bengal. 10,000 workers were left unemployed. Mamata di used to say she would open up the Dunlop industry, but in 10 years, there has been no change: J P Nadda in Hoogly, West Bengal

Mamata didi is losing Nandigram.This election tells us that Suvendu has accepted the challenge from Mamata Di and people of Nandigram are giving a clear message that TMC is going out of power in Bengal: J P Nadda in Hoogly, West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee got scared by peaceful voting in the first phase and went to the election commission. Suvendu Adhikari is a bigger leader. He did not go to Bhavanipur, Mamata had to desert Bhavanipur to come to Nandigram: J P Nadda said in a rally in Hoogly.

In a state where Mamata and TMC made an environment of terror, the voter turnout is 79% in the first phase elections. This shows that the state is ready for real change: JP Nadda in Hoogly, West Bengal.

This election is the election of 'Asol Poriborton'. This election is to help the farmers and the youth. This election is for West Bengal to become 'Sonar Bangal': JP Nadda in Hoogly

BJP's J P Nadda is addressing a rally in Hoogly, West Bengal

Total 800 companies of security forces will be deployed for the second phase of West Bengal Elections, scheduled to be held on April 1. (ANI)

Former cricketer and BJP candidate from Moyna, Ashok Dinda receivedY+ security. He was attacked by unidentified people in Moyna yesterday. (ANI)

BJP's Mithun, TMC MP Dev join hands for Bengali film

Leaving behind their political identities, Bollywood superstar Mithun Chakraborty, who has recently joined the BJP, and actor-turned-TMC MP Dipak Adhikari, better known by his screen name Dev, have teamed up for a Bengali film.

The announcement came at a time when the two heroes are busy with campaigns for their respective parties in the West Bengal assembly elections and have been leading roadshows. (PTI)

The Election Commission of India directedthe Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to transfer Bichitra Bikas Roy, CI Mahishadal, Purba Medinipur. "He shall not be posted in any election duty till completion of polls," the body said. (ANI)

Nandigram battle: Acid test for BJP’s defection strategy

Nandigram, the current epicentre of West Bengal politics, will witness a high stake battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former protegee Suvendu Adhikari, now a BJP candidate.

While both sides are trying to claim the legacy of the land agitation in Nandigram in 2007 as their own, there are several other factors at play.

Nandigram will be an acid test of BJP’s defection strategy. The move of roping in Adhikari was aimed at strengthening the BJP not only in Nandigram but also in East and West Medinipur districts.

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Had indeed called up BJP leader, haver every right to do so: Mamata

Two days after a huge controversy erupted over an audio clip in which Mamata Banerjee was purportedly heard cajoling a BJP leader from Nandigram to help her win the seat, the CM said that she had indeed called up Pralay Pal as she had got a feedback that he wants to talk to her.

Speaking at an election meeting at Tengua in Nandigram just before the time for campaigning for the second phase of assembly poll came to an end, Banerjee said as a candidate she has every right to call up a voter. (PTI)

22 companies of central forces will be deployed in Nandigram for assembly polls, says Election Commission official. West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee is pitted against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram. (PTI)

ECI removes Bengal returning officer, 2 others

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday removed three officials including the returning officer of the Ballygunj assembly constituency in Kolkata, according to an order.

The two other officials are the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Haldia and the Circle Inspector (CI) of Mahishadal in Purba Medinipur district.Arindam Mani, who has been posted in the same office for more than 10 years and is currently the returning officer of the Ballygunj seat, shall be transferred to a non-election post immediately, the ECI stated in a communication to the West Bengal CEO. (PTI)