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.
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.
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'.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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’.
About 300 employees had called in sick Wednesday, allegedly in protest against mismanagement of airlines. Remaining staff given ultimatum to rejoin work by end of Thursday.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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