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Thursday, February 19, 2026
TopicWest Bengal Panchayat elections

Topic: West Bengal Panchayat elections

BJP MP Locket Chatterjee breaks down, says ‘what happened in Bengal as shameful’ as Manipur incident

Hooghly MP recounted two alleged incidents of sexual assault on women candidates during Bengal panchayat polls. She urged people to 'pay attention towards the daughters of Bengal too'.

How PUBG paved way for another India-Pakistan love story

A selection of the best news reports, analysis and opinions published by ThePrint this week.

Bengal poll violence is seeped in Partition. But political and money power keep it alive

With limitless political authority, unrestricted financial resources and muscle power, and complete control over the population, Bengal's panchayat polls have become a do or die battle.

Intense focus on Bengal panchayat poll violence swept two things under the carpet

The overdose of West Bengal panchayat poll violence reportage on local and national TV news has an element of orchestration behind it. And it suits the BJP and TMC.

Trinamool gets rural poll booster ahead of 2024 polls, BJP decline continues in West Bengal

Interestingly, the Opposition combine of the CPI(M) and the Congress, which drew a blank in 2021 state polls, have done well in certain districts which have a sizable Muslim population.

‘Victims of circumstances’: Mamata declares compensation for panchayat deaths, slams BJP team

The BJP mission returned fire, saying violence took place in Bihar and UP 15 to 20 years ago, but had stopped since.

BJP gains in Bengal rural polls, but losses in strongholds call for relook at strategy ahead of 2024

Though it came a distant second to TMC, the party improved on its 2018 performance, but has lost support in its strongholds of north Bengal and tribal seats in Jangal Mahal area.

Violence & corruption are Bengal’s enemies, says Guv as Trinamool headed for big panchayat win

Governor C.V. Anand Bose has often been in the cross hairs of the Trinamool for allegedly trying to influence voters.

‘Didn’t receive details of sensitive booths’ — BSF spars with West Bengal poll body over deployment

BSF claims State Election Commission didn't respond to its letters seeking details of sensitive booths. Poll body refutes this claims, says it recorded its communication with the BSF.

Parties begin blame game as violence takes centre stage in West Bengal panchayat polls

While TMC says it suffered 60% casualties, its unofficial figure stood at 8. BJP, CPIM, Congress and ISF claim they lost one party worker each. SEC says 3 deaths reported directly.

On Camera

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has debts to pay

London: Just when you thought former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could sink no lower, fresh evidence shows that indeed he did. King Charles’ troublesome younger brother...

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.