Stray incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful.
Bengal reported 82 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election while Assam, which also began voting today, reported 76.9% per cent turnout.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's younger brother was reportedly attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters in Contai town in East Midnapur district, his party alleged. His car was vandalised and his was driver injured in the attack. The Trinamool is facing a stern test from the BJP in its bid for a third straight term.
The situation in Assam, meanwhile, is largely peaceful. The BJP is hoping to win a second straight term in the state, with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal the biggest name on the ballot today. "We will get more than 100 seats," Mr Sonowal said. Mr Gogoi, meanwhile, visited a polling booth in Jorhat to cast vote. "It's a very emotional moment for me as it's the first time after many years that I'm coming to a polling station without my parents. Confident that people are going to vote out politics of lies and deceit and voting for politics that guarantees that their future is bright," Mr Gogoi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The politically volatile states of West Bengal and Assam are voting in the first phase of assembly elections today amid a resurgent Covid crisis to decide the fate of a number of top politicians including Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Polling is being held in 30 of the 294 constituencies of West Bengal and 47 of the 126 in Assam.
West Bengal will vote in eight-phases while the exercise will be completed in Assam in three phases on March 27, April 1 and 6. Altogether 264 candidates, including 23 women, are in the fray.
The state polls to the two states apart from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry are the first, after the assembly elections in Bihar, to be held during the pandemic.
Here are the Highlights On Assembly Elections 2021:
Bengal reported 82 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election while Assam, which also began voting today, reported 76.9% per cent turnout.
Bengal reported 79.79 per cent voter turnout till 6 pm in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election. Assam, which also began voting today, reported 72.14 per cent turnout till the same time.
Activists of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed in Bengal's Nandigram constituency -- which is set to go to polls on April 1 -- seriously injuring at least three, a senior police officer said, reported news agency PTI.
Seikh Sufiyan, the election agent of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, however, claimed that goons hired by the BJP carried out an attack on the workers of the state's ruling party, a charge denied by the BJP camp.
"All three, who sustained injuries during the attack, are activists of the TMC. They were rushed to SSKM hospital in Kolkata. The condition of one of them has been stated to be serious," Mr Sufiyan said.
Bengal registers 79.8% turnout across 30 assembly constituencies till 5PM while Assam 72.1% across 47 constituencies.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Bangladesh, accusing him of trying to influence voters in West Bengal where polling began for the eight-phase assembly election in the morning.
"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," Ms Banerjee said at a campaign event in Kharagpur, according to news agency ANI.
"In 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 one section of people. Why shouldn't your visa be cancelled? We will complain to the Election Commission," she said.
West Bengal Elections 2021: Trinamool Asks Election Commission To Appoint Only Locals As Poll Booth AgentsA Trinamool Congress delegation, led by MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, has urged the Election Commission to bring back the rule which enjoined upon political parties to appoint only people, registered as voters in an assembly segment where an election booth was located, as polling agents for that booth.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged that the BJP is bringing in goons from outside to stop people from exercising their franchise in Bengal and urged women to "confront the hoodlums with ladle, spatula" and other cooking utensils, reported news agency PTI.
Addressing two public rallies at Narayangarh and Pingla in West Midnapore district, the Trinamool Congress chief dubbed Suvendu Adhikari and his family as "traitors", and claimed that one member of the household was seen distributing money among people on Friday night, hours before 30 assembly constituencies of the state went to polls.
Bengal records 70.2 per cent turnout till 3 pm across 30 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the state assembly polls.
#ElectionsWithNDTV | Tea garden votes to be major deciding factor in #AssamElections2021, voter turnout in Assam till 1 pm at 45.2%
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
NDTV's Ratnadip Choudhury reports#AssamElections2021 pic.twitter.com/SxhO48Zaj3
Voter's queue up in front of Polling Station of 237- Binpur Assembly Constituency of Jhargram District, West Bengal. Polling Station No 61 (Belphari Girls' High School) #WestBengalAssemblyElection2021 #ElectionCommissionofIndia #ECI #ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/9EwjaZNvBs
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) March 27, 2021
1 PM Update | 45.2% voter turnout recorded in Assam #AssamPolls2021 #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/ANcoVdKxhb
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
A delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders met Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata, reported news agency ANI.
"BJP had submitted a memorandum requesting to change the system of appointing booth agents wherein he must be a voter of the concerned booth and allow anybody at any booth," said TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay.
"The new system is not acceptable to us. We demand that from the next phase the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth. The Chief Electoral Officer has assured to look into the matter," Mr Bandyopadhyay said.
A look at Sivasagar Election District's Model Polling Station. #AssamAssemblyPolls #AssemblyElections2021 @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @diprassam pic.twitter.com/lMrrHutsVI
- CEO Assam (@ceo_assam) March 27, 2021
Bengal records 46.8 per cent turnout till 12:30 pm across 30 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the state assembly polls.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's brother Soumendu Adhikari was reportedly attacked in Bengal's Contai. Soumendu Adhikari has blamed Trinamool Congress for the vandalism of his car.
"I got to know that the vehicle (of Soumendu Adhikari) was attacked in Contai with help of Trinamool Congress (TMC) block president Ram Govind Das. Soumendu Adhikari wasn't injured. The driver was beaten up. I've informed the Police Observer," said Dibyendu Adhikari, TMC leader and brother of Soumendu Adhikari, reported news agency ANI.
11 AM update | 25.9% voter turnout in Assam #AssamPolls2021 #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/K3Zu3gDcPo
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
Bengal recorded 36.1 per cent turnout till 12 pm across 30 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the state assembly polls.
#Govote #NoVoterToBeLeftBehind #AssemblyElections2021 #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #ECI pic.twitter.com/7lEStCto7p
- Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) March 27, 2021
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari today wrote to the Election Commission (EC) seeking suspension of some police officials in Bengal's Haldia and Nandigram for allegedly helping the Trinamool Congress (TMC) carry out malpractices and irregularities during the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections, reported news agency ANI.
Suvendu Adhikari has requested the suspension of Haldia Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Barunbaidya and some other officers of Nandigram police station.
Meanwhile, polling for the first of the eight-phased assembly polls in Bengal is underway in 30 constituencies. The polling will conclude at 6:30 pm.
Suvendu Adhikari's brother Soumendu Adhikari had earlier today alleged that people were being stopped from voting at a polling centre in Contai.
"People of Kanthi Uttar are enraged at the mess that EVM malfunctioning has caused! Surprisingly, votes seem to be going to BJP whenever a vote is cast for Trinamool Congress! How can Election Commission stay silent? Democracy faces a great threat in Phase 1 itself of WB polls," tweeted actor and National Vice President of All India Trinamool Youth Congress Soham Chakraborty.
BJP candidate from Bengal's Saltora constituency, Chandana Bauri, who is the wife of a daily wager, cast her vote today morning during the first phase of the state assembly elections, reported news agency ANI.
"Saltora BJP candidate Chandana Bauri went to the booth and cast her vote. Exercise your democratic rights. Voting is your right, go and vote with your family," tweeted BJP Bengal.
Ms Bauri's name was mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a previous rally in the Bankura district.
"Modi ji loves people from all religions, and on the other hand, Mamata Didi divides people on the basis of religion. She does not let Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja happen. But Modi ji, for us Muslim women, abolished the Triple Talaq law," Ms Bauri had said.
"Trinamool Congress (TMC) knows that it is losing & that's why it is saying all this. For such complaints, TMC should go to the Election Commission. TMC and Mamata Banerjee are under pressure and that is why they are saying such things," said BJP Bengal chief Dilip Ghosh on TMC allegations of poll rigging, reported news agency ANI.
TMC knows that it is losing & that's why it is saying all this. For such complaints, TMC should go to the Election Commission. TMC & Mamata Banerjee are under pressure and that is why they are saying such things: BJP West Bengal Pres Dilip Ghosh on TMC alleging rigging of polls pic.twitter.com/81XvGsEl76
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Bengal Assembly Election 2021: Bengal's Daughter Will Defeat Bengal's Traitor: Trinamool Jibe At BJP's Suvendu AdhikariTrinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien today, in a veiled attack at BJP candidate from Bengal's Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari, said "Bengal's daughter (Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) will defeat Bengal's traitor from the Assembly seat.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday urged the people of Assam to vote in large numbers for the progress of the state, reported news agency ANI.
"Today, the first phase of polling is being held in Assam. I appeal to the people of Assam, especially the youth and my sisters, to go to the polling booth today and vote in large numbers. Vote for the progress and progress of Assam and the golden future of Assam," the Congress leader wrote on Facebook.
As the polling is underway for the first phase of Assembly elections in Assam and West Bengal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged citizens to cast their vote against the "divisive forces", reported news agency ANI.
"To strengthen democracy, cast your vote against the divisive forces. Jai Hind!" tweeted Rahul Gandhi in Hindi.
TMC's Derek O'Brien writes to EC
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
"Voter turnout for ACs Kanthi Dakshin (216)&Kanthi Uttar (213) at 9:13am was 18.47%&18.95% respectively, 4 mins later at 9:17am voter turnout reduced to 10.60%&9:40%. Such discrepancy raises question on genuineness of data issued by EC,"he states
President of newly-floated regional political party Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) Lurinjyoti Gogoi on Sunday cast his vote at a polling centre in Tinsukia district during the first phase of Assam polls, reported news agency ANI.
Mr Gogoi is contesting from two seats - Duliajan and Naharkatia. Voting at the two Assembly constituencies is underway in the first phase of polls today.
The AJP and jailed activist Akhil Gogoi's party Raijor Dal are contesting the polls in an alliance.
NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie catches up Actor-turned-Politician June Malia, who is the TMC candidate from Medinipur#ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/zuCyx0XYux
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
Differently-abled people reach polling booths to cast their vote in #AssamAssemblyPolls
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
LIVE: https://t.co/j2AwomZv4x#ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/3vSbpCCPVu
BJP candidate from West Midnapore Samit Das on Saturday alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) is creating disturbances in the rural areas of the district as voting in the first phase of Assembly polls is underway, reported news agency ANI.
Samir Das cast his vote at a polling booth in Bengal's West Midnapore district.
"Voting in Midnapore town is going on smoothly. But, at some places in rural areas, TMC workers are trying to create a disturbance," Mr Das told news agency ANI.
"At booth number 266 and 267, some TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters. We have complained to the Election Commission regarding the matter," he said, adding, "We trust the Central police force. They are trying to help in conducting the polls smoothly."
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation will meet the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at 12 pm today to raise "some serious concerns", as polling for the first phase of state assembly elections is underway, reported news agency ANI.
Taking to Twitter, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) on how the voting percentage reduced drastically to half within five minutes.
"What is happening @ECISVEEP?! Could you explain how voting percentage drastically reduced to half within a gap of just 5 minutes?! Shocking! @CEOWestBengal, please look into this urgently!" AITC tweeted.
Meanwhile, the voter turnout for the first phase for polling in West Bengal stood at 15.30 per cent as of 10:19 am on Saturday.
Hours before the first phase of polling began in West Bengal Assembly elections, the Purba Medinipur district witnessed violence as bombing and firing took place in the Satsatmal village at the Argoal gram panchayat in Bhagabanpur Assembly constituency, injuring two security personnel, reported news agency ANI.
East Midnapore: 2 security personnel injured in a firing incident at Satsatmal, Bhagwanpur assembly constituency, early morning today, ahead of voting for West Bengal polls
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Those associated with TMC trying to terrorise ppl in Argoal panchayat area: Anup Chakraborty,BJP Dist Pres pic.twitter.com/FQNiKUjtff
Patashpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Deepak Kumar Chakraborty and a Central Force soldier were seriously injured in the incident.
After primary treatment at Egra Super Specialty Hospital, the injured personnel were shifted to Kolkata for further treatment.
Employment opportunities are a matter of concern for the youth of Medinipur.
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie reports from a poll booth in Medinipur #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/O91LxPvrVH
Soumendu Adhikari, BJP leader and brother of Suvendu Adhikari, today alleged that people were being stopped from voting at a polling centre in Contai, reported news agency ANI.
"Voters being influenced and stopped from voting at booth number 149. Overall polling is being held peacefully. EVMs are malfunctioning at some locations; it happens in all polls, the EC is looking into it," Soumendu Adhikari told the news agency.
The BJP leader said there should be free and fair polls and they have approached the Election Commission.
"We approached the EC that there should be free and fair polls. People will choose whom they want. TMC is scared. We have given the name of one Alauddin to Election Commission, he created disturbance there," Mr Adhikari said.
Soumendu Adhikari, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, joined BJP earlier this year ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Assam elections: Bihu decorations, children's play corner at model poll booths: Pics
Reports of poll-related violence emerging from many constituencies. NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie reports from Medinipur #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/pwx0eSGei2
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
In Kanthi, young voters want better employment opportunities while older generation want development in the area. NDTV's Anurag Dwary reports #WestBengalElections2021 #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/0hySnQ7xMA
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
#WestBengalElections2021: Voting underway at booth number 67A in Patashpur assembly constituency in East Midnapore
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
(ANI) #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/uEz6MZyFiY
বাংলার সকল মানুষকে আমি অনুরোধ করব নিজের গণতান্ত্রিক অধিকার প্রয়োগ করুন, সবাই আসুন, ভোট দিন।
- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2021
I call upon the people of Bengal to exercise their democratic right by coming out and voting in large numbers.
Polling underway in politically crucial Upper Assam and parts of Central Assam
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
NDTV's Ratnadip Choudhury reports from Jorhat #ElectionsWithNDTV #AssamElections2021 pic.twitter.com/JcwzrkYdD9
A model polling station in Jorhat, which displays various aspects of Assam's rich culture#ElectionsWithNDTV #AssamAssemblyPolls pic.twitter.com/XHnLqyXwtu
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
#AssamAssemblyPolls | A long queue of voters outside a polling station in Bakul, Dibrugarh pic.twitter.com/ySg34ZEWrh
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
West Bengal, Assam Elections 2021: Key Stats On Phase 1 Of Assembly PollsAs West Bengal and Assam go to polls for the first phase of Assembly elections that begin today, here's a look at some important statistics:"
Voting underway at a polling centre in Purulia for the first phase of #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/xI4brrnNsF
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Polling begins in Assam; 47 seats go to polls in Phase 1 of #AssamElections2021
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
NDTV's Ratnadip Choudhury reports #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/FYRsUYkPgN
Polling begins in West Bengal; 30 seats vote in phase 1 today
- NDTV (@ndtv) March 27, 2021
NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie reports #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/9s0CrWjZXP
Today, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2021
The first phase of elections begin in Assam. Urging those eligible to vote in record numbers. I particularly call upon my young friends to vote.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2021
Assam: Voters stand in a queue outside a polling booth in Dibrugarh, ahead of the first phase of #AssamAssemblyPolls today pic.twitter.com/oAaT1u3hzl
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Assam: Preparations underway at a polling station in Rupahi, Nagaon district, ahead of voting for the first phase of #AssamAssemblyPolls today.
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Visuals from Rupahi Higher Secondary School pic.twitter.com/OTI3sbct0u
West Bengal: Preparations underway at a polling booth inEast Midnapore, ahead of voting for the first phase of #WestBengalElections2021 today.
- ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Visuals from Prabhat Kumar College in Contai pic.twitter.com/6af0penX1d
