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Saturday, September 6, 2025
TopicWest Bengal Panchayat elections

Topic: West Bengal Panchayat elections

Counting for Bengal panchayat polls begins amid tight security

Violence had rocked West Bengal's rural polls on Saturday, with 15 people dead and ballot boxes vandalised, ballot papers torched, and bombs thrown at rivals in several places.

‘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.

Bengal governor targets election commissioner on ‘poll violence’ — ‘don’t underestimate power of common man’

Governor CV Ananda Bose Monday gave election commissioner Rajiva Sinha 48 hours to rein in violence. Ruling Trinamool says Bose should be in 'BJP's double-engine government'.

Peasant revolts, riots & muscle-flexing — why violence runs deep in Bengal politics

Analysts say control of resources & democratic institutions are immediate reasons that lead to political violence in West Bengal, where Panchayat polls are to be held on 8 July.

Eye on 2024, Congress-CPI(M) tie-up, stronger BJP — why Mamata’s going all out for panchayat polls

West Bengal CM kickstarted campaign for 8 July polls from Cooch Behar, where she said her party now aims to ‘control the panchayats so no one can steal money’.

SC upholds HC order to deploy central forces in Bengal for ‘free & fair’ panchayat polls

Dismissing West Bengal govt & state EC's appeal, SC bench says Calcutta HC order doesn't 'call for any interference', that state commission shouldn't be bothered about 'source' of forces.

‘500+ calls in 48 hrs’ — inside Bengal governor’s ‘Peace Room’ to monitor panchayat poll violence

A 24/7 helpline was set up Saturday by CV Ananda Bose to aid those facing threats in run up to polls. Opposition has questioned its legality, says EC should have set up such a helpline.

Raj Bhavan ‘Peace Room’ ahead of Bengal panchayat polls draws mixed reactions, ‘unconstitutional’ says TMC

Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose's move has been appreciated by members of BJP, Congress & CPI(M), but they point out that his powers are limited.

As BJP attempts ‘Oppn unity’ with Gorkha parties for Bengal rural polls, an ally has ‘reservations’

Anti-TMC ‘United Gorkha Alliance’ formed after series of talks chaired by BJP MP Raju Bista last week. Ruling party in Bengal says not threatened by ‘sudden Opposition unity’.

On Camera

Kolkata’s silencing of Javed Akhtar exposes India’s secular vacuum

Even those parties that wear the label of secular and progressive often bow to the pressures of fundamentalist groups within the Muslim community.

GST 2.0: India streamlines indirect tax regime amid Trump tariffs & what it means for consumers

Goods and Services Tax Council paves way for a broad two-slab structure of 5% and 18% with a demerit rate of 40% for super luxury and 'sin' goods.

Nuclear-propulsion systems to next-gen tanks, India draws up its 15-year defence wishlist

New Delhi: India is looking to induct hypersonic missiles, nuclear propulsion for aircraft carriers and warships, next-gen tanks, a variety of unmanned systems and...

Punjab is fast becoming the new Northeast. And there’s a message in it for Modi

In its toughest time in decades because of floods, Punjab would’ve expected PM Modi to visit. If he has the time for a Bihar tour, why not a short visit to next-door Punjab?