West Bengal Elections highlights: Will protest ECI's ban on campaigning, CM Mamata Banerjee says

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held three rallies in poll-bound West Bengal, while Union Minister Amit Shah conducted roadshows and rallies. Mamata Banerjee also campaigned in Dum Dum. The PM said the people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in the first four phases of the assembly polls that the BJP has already completed its century and the TMC is on course to being wiped out. EC has banned Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours. A total of 45 seats will go to the polls in the fifth phase in West Bengal.

BJP ahead in 92 of 135 seats after four phases of poll in Bengal: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday asserted that the BJP is ahead in 92 of the 135 seats that went to polls in the first four phases 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 of Darjeeling 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. "In the four phases of elections held so far in West Bengal, the BJP is ahead in over 92 seats," Shah said, addressing a public meeting at Dhupguri assembly constituency in North Bengals Jalpaiguri district, which goes to polls in the fifth phase on April 17. (PTI)

Bengal political cauldron on boil over Cooch Behar killings

The killing of four people in CISF firing in Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi on April 10 further heated West Bengal's political cauldron on Monday, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claiming the incident was plotted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with "full knowledge" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi, on the campaign trail in the state, termed the incident a consequence of Banerjee's conspiracy to rig the elections by denying people their right to vote. (PTI)

Will stage dharna to protest EC's unconstitutional decision: Mamata Banerjee after poll panel bars her from campaigning for 24 hours

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has, in violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct, made insinuating andprovocative remarks laden with serious potential of breakdown of law and order. Andthereby,adversely affectedthe election process: ECI

The Election Commission of India has imposed a ban of 24 hours on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm of April 12 till 8 pm of April 13.

TMC delegation met EC over BJP leaders' remarks. TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said, "BJP's Dilip Ghosh said there'll be a repeat of the Sitalkurchi incident. This is instigation. Another BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, "Why did you kill 4, why not 8, CISF needs to focus on it." (ANI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in an apparent jibe at state BJP leaders, said on Monday that those threatening of more Cooch Behar-like killings should be banned politically. She wondered what kind of human beings are politicians whosay that there will be more Sitalkuchi-like incidents and that the death toll should have been higher.

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I am really sad and ashamed, I haven't seen this kind of PM who crosses the line while speaking. I have worked for all religions. What have I not done? Now only one thing is left, 'BJP hatao desh bachao'. Left and Congress are BJP agents: Mamata Banerjee said in a rally in Dum Dum

The BJP has decided to provide pure drinking water from the pipeline to every household. They will make every house equipped with toilets. The BJP government will waive off the electricity bill up to 200 units and provide 24-hour electricity to every household: Amit Shah

You gave many chances to Congress, to CPI(M). You gave TMC and Mamata Didi 10 years. Now, vote for BJP and we will make a Sonar Bangla: Amit Shah

Didi worries about her nephew all the time. When will my Abhishek become the CM. Didi is not worried about the poor. Modiji is worried about the poor of Bengal and Didi is worried about bhaipo: Amit Shah

More than 130 such BJP workers were killed by TMC goons. I tell the TMC goons that after Didi's government goes on May 2, they will be found and put behind bars: Amit Shah in Hemtabad

Union Minister Amit Shah is speaking at a rally in Hemtabad. "The kind of violence that Mamata Didi spread in Bengal, Shri Devendra Nath Roy was a BJP MLA. Didi's goons killed him, no one has been arrested till date," he said.

The double engine BJP governnment in Bengal will hear the poor, give medicines to the elderly and jobs tothe youth. That is why today the whole of Bengal is calling for BJP: PM Modi in Barasat

21st century Bengal is an aspirational Bengal.Bengal, in 2021, wants good governance. The poor and middle class wants peace and progress. They want to work to better lives for their future generations. They want opportunities: PM Modi in Barasat

"You went to Bangladesh for votes and now there is violence. Why is EC not taking suo moto cognizance? Modi, you went to Trump to play the trump card and now to Bangladesh to play Bengal card,"West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said in Dum Dum (ANI)

For today's situation of Didi andher party, it has been said 'vinash kale viprit buddhi'. This is why Didi has picked up a kind of open fight against Modi along with Bengal's SC, ST, OBC communities: PM Modi in Barasat

The way you switched on flashlight of your mobile and illuminated this place, it looked like May 2 has come today for you. Your love for me bothers Didi a lot. The way you have confirmed BJP's victory after 4 phases of voting, has made her furious: PM Modi in a rally in Barasat

"I request Election Commission with folded hands —don't listen only to BJP, listen to all. Don't be partial," West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said during a rally in Dum Dum (ANI)

BJP to campaign against TMC over its leader's 'insult' of scheduled castes

The BJP will launch major protests in West Bengal against the alleged disparaging comments of a TMC leader about scheduled castes, as the saffron party looks to step up its campaign in the remaining phases of the state assembly polls.

A delegation of BJP's Dalit MPs, including party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam, Sunita Duggal, Hansraj Hans and its SC wing head Lal Singh Arya, submitted a memorandum to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking action against TMC leader Sujata Mondal Khan.

Khan had recently allegedly likened the scheduled castes in West Bengal to beggars for the community's support to the BJP in large numbers. (PTI)

Didi's appeasement politics hurt Matuas, Namsudras; justice to refugees is BJP's commitment: PM Modi at rally

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during an election campaign for State Assembly polls at Ranaghat in Nadia district, Monday, April 12, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

Questioning the political future of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that her innings is over in West Bengal. He also said that in Nandigram also she will face defeat.

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Didi, country can see how you've spewed hatred towards Dalits & underprivileged for 10 yrs: PM

I met a person from Matua community in Bangladesh recently, who said I'm India's first PM who came to seek Harichand Thakur's blessings in Orakandi. Didi didn't like my Orakandi visit: PM Modi

(ANI)

A Prime Minister should respect the constitution: Mamata at rally

Mamata Banerjee addresses rally at Basirhat Dakshin & Uttar, North 24 Parganas

PM Modi in Kalyani

Didi clean-bowled, her innings over, says PM Modi at rally

Drawing a cricket analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in the first four phases of the assembly polls that the BJP has already completed its century and the TMC is on course to being wiped out.

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Misinformation being spread that if NRC will be brought, Gorkhas will be ousted. NRC hasn't been brought yet. But even if it's brought, not even one Gorkha will be ousted. TMC lies. Not even one Gorkha will be affected: HM & BJP leader Amit Shah

(ANI)

During these elections, we also lost Shobha Mazumdar. The cruelty with which she was beaten by TMC goons is a picture we can never forget: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bardhaman

(ANI)

That brave police officer, who had come to Bengal on duty two days ago, was beaten to death. When his mother saw his body, she also succumbed. Didi, is that officer's mother not a mother for you? No mother in Bengal knew how harsh & ruthless you are: PM

I'll not comment on what is being said by political parties: DG CRPF on Cooch Behar killings

I can guarantee that all paramilitary forces & people of their state, who are under EC's responsibility, are working as per EC's directions: DG CRPF on TMC's allegations that CRPF in WB is working under BJP's directions.

(ANI)

Didi o didi, if you want to unload your anger, I am here. Abuse me all you want. But don't insult Bengal's dignity and tradition. Bengal won't tolerate your arrogance, tolabaaz, cut money syndicate because people want 'asol poribartan' now: PM Modi

(ANI)

Baba Saheb Ambedkar's soul hurt by insult hurled at Scheduled Castes called beggars by leader close to Mamata Banerjee: Modi at poll rally

PM Modi attacks Mamata over TMC MP's alleged 'beggar' remark on Scheduled Castes

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) over a purported comment made by the candidate of the Trinamool Congress at Arambagh in West Bengal, Sujata Mondal Khan, allegedly calling people of the Scheduled Castes as “beggars by nature”.

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Didi clean-bowled, her innings over, says PM Modi at rally.

Mamata's 'bitterness' increasing as she knows TMC has lost elections in the last four phases: PM Modi asks at rally

Watch PM Modi live here

PM Modi will address an election rally at Talit Sai Centre in Purba Bardhaman district. He will also be holding rallies in Kalyani University Grounds in Nadia district at 1:40 pm and Barasat area of the North 24 Paraganas district at 3:10 pm.

(ANI)

The Trinamool Congress on Sunday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of engaging in divisive politics over the death of five people in Cooch Behar district during the fourth phase of polling.

Apart from the four people who were killed when CISF personnel opened fire, an 18-year-old voter was gunned down outside a polling booth after clashes broke out between activists of the ruling TMC and the BJP.

(PTI)

There will be many more Sitalkuchis if anyone tries to cross the limit: Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh after Cooch Behar violence

Courting fresh controversy on Sunday, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said that there will be many more incidents in the state like the one in Sitalkuchi if anyone tries to cross the limit.

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Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan during an election campaign in support of TMC candidate from Shyampukur constituency, Sashi Panja (R), in Kolkata, Sunday, April 11, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

BJP lodges complaint with EC over TMC candidate's 'beggar' remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) over a purported comment made by the candidate of the Trinamool Congress at Arambagh in West Bengal, Sujata Mondal Khan, allegedly calling people of the Scheduled Castes as “beggars by nature”.

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People in authority should ensure respect for central forces on public duty: West Bengal Guv

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said those in authority must ensure respect for constitutional institutions and central forces engaged in public duty.

Dhankhar's comments came a day after the state plunged into chaos when five people were killed, including four in CISF firing, during the fourth phase of polling in Cooch Behar district.

"People in authority must show statesmanship & ensure respect for constitutional institutions & CAPF engaged in public duty," the Governor said

Mamata calls Cooch Behar killings 'genocide', Shah warns her against 'appeasement politics' over bodies

The killing of four persons in CISF firing at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district has triggered a political storm in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday calling it a "genocide" and Union Home Minister Amit Shah warning her against doing "appeasement politics" over bodies.

The TMC chief said the Election Commission's decision to bar the entry of politicians in Cooch Behar district for 72 hours was aimed at "suppressing facts" and asserted she will visit the area by April 14.

(PTI)

Good morning readers! Welcome to DH's live coverage of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2021.