West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya rejected speculation about admitting TMC leaders, calling them 'tainted' and vowing to prevent 'trinamoolisation'. Mamata Banerjee plans a protest against alleged post-poll violence, facing criticism from BJP.
TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee was allegedly attacked by BJP workers near Chanditala Police Station in West Bengal's Hooghly district while submitting a deputation on post-poll violence. Banerjee accused BJP supporters of hitting him on the head, causing bleeding, and claimed police inaction.
Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee was assaulted by a crowd in Sonarpur while visiting the home of a party worker allegedly killed in post-poll violence. The attack, blamed on BJP workers, led to injuries and property damage. BJP dissociated itself from the incident.
An FIR has been filed against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee for alleged inflammatory statements regarding DJ music and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and for accusing the Centre of enabling post-poll violence in West Bengal after the assembly election results.
Mamata Banerjee, former Bengal CM, faced sloganeering at Calcutta High Court while arguing a PIL on post-poll violence in West Bengal, alleging murder, looting, and police inaction.
Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appears in Calcutta High Court as a lawyer in a PIL case regarding post-poll violence, expected to question case proceedings.
New West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has instructed police to curb loudspeaker noise beyond religious sites and prevent road blockades by congregations. The directives also include zero tolerance for illegal mining, cattle smuggling, and crimes against women, with a focus on reopening post-poll violence cases and enforcing strict laws against communal incitement.
New West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has instructed police to curb loudspeaker noise beyond religious sites and prevent road blockades by congregations. The directives also include zero tolerance for illegal mining, cattle smuggling, and crimes against women, with a focus on reopening post-poll violence cases and enforcing strict laws against communal incitement.
West Bengal is witnessing continued post-poll violence. Clashes between rival Trinamool Congress groups in Sandeshkhali injured five security personnel. A BJP worker was killed in New Town, allegedly by TMC workers. Another TMC worker was hacked to death in Birbhum. These incidents have led to heightened tensions and calls for fair probes.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has dismissed exit poll results as attempts to manipulate the stock market, claiming Trinamool Congress will win over 200 seats in the May 4 assembly election count. In a virtual address to party colleagues, Banerjee urged counting agents not to leave their tables without replacement and advised against anxiety if postal ballot results initially go against the party. She and party leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged the BJP was using the Election Commission and that party workers were being selectively targeted. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari called on all parties to maintain peace and accept the people's mandate, referencing post-2021 election violence in which the BJP claims 300 workers were killed.
West Bengal is on high alert with two days until vote counting. The TMC has challenged a high court order on counting supervisors in the Supreme Court, while the Election Commission ordered repolling in 15 stations due to irregularities. CM Mamata Banerjee visited a strongroom, raising concerns, which the BJP called 'dramabazi'.
With counting days away, West Bengal's electoral landscape has intensified as the ruling TMC approaches the Supreme Court challenging a Calcutta HC decision on counting supervisors, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conducted a four-hour inspection of a strongroom in Bhowanipore. The Election Commission has ordered repolling in 15 booths and imposed prohibitory orders around counting centres, while reports of post-poll violence emerge from multiple districts.
The Election Commission is retaining around 70,000 central forces personnel in West Bengal ahead of May 4 counting day to prevent post-poll violence, particularly in areas with history of violence. This follows the 2021 post-poll violence that saw 1,934 incidents including 29 murders, 12 sexual assaults, and 940 arson cases, with only 1,345 of 9,304 accused persons arrested.
TMC has accused BJP of issuing death threats against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing a social media post by BJP national spokesperson Alok Ajay using the phrase 'डरायेगा तो ठोकाएगा दीदी' (If you try to scare us, you will be shot dead, Didi). The controversy was triggered by a viral video showing Election Commission-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma warning a TMC candidate during a raid in South 24 Parganas ahead of assembly polls. BJP rejected the charges, accusing TMC of misrepresenting remarks. Polling is scheduled for April 29 with results on May 4.
