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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electoral competition now appears dominated by welfare delivery and governance metrics, but ideology has not disappeared in Tamil Nadu. Instead, it has become strategic.
India’s fast-growing data centre sector may strain state electricity networks; Central Electricity Authority has urged Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to boost capacity.
Theaterisation, which aims to divide the forces into three theatres with specific areas of responsibility, will become the single most far-reaching reform that the Indian military has witnessed since independence.
China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.
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