Assembly Elections 2021 Live Updates: Mamata vows to avenge bullets with ballot

Drawing a cricket analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in the first four phases of the assembly polls that the BJP has already completed its century and the TMC is on course to being wiped out.

"In the four-phase election, the conscious people of Bengal hit so many fours and sixes that the seats of BJP have become centuries. Those who were thinking of playing with you have become very well with them," PM Modi said.

Union Minister Amit Shah has accused Mamata Banerjee of instigating the violence that led to five deaths in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. 

Addressing a public gathering in Basirhat Dakshin, Shah said: "Earlier, Didi (Mamata) encouraged youngsters and women in Sitalkuchi to come forward and gherao Central Armed Police Forces. You said and left on your wheelchair. But because of you, 4 people died there. On the same morning, a BJP worker also died in the constituency."

Appealing people to give Mamata a befitting farewell, he said, "Didi is repeatedly saying Amit Shah must resign. Didi when people will ask me to resign then I will. But you must prepare as you will have to resign on May 2."

"I have come here to make one request. Didi has ruled for 10 years. Would it look good to give her a small farewell? So you should give her a farewell by giving 200 seats to BJP."

Highlighting the corruption in the state, Amit Shah said: "Right now, three laws are in operation under Didi's rule in Bengal. There is a law for nephew, under which there is no provision for punishment. The second law is for intruders, which again has no punishment. The third law is for the common people, for which all the punishments are reserved."

"By resorting to appeasement and vote bank politics even in death, Mamata has further lowered the politics of Bengal.

Union Minister Amit Shah has said that the elections in West Bengal have been conducted peacefully so far barring the one incident in Sitalkuchi.

"I promise that after BJP comes to power here political and poll-related violence will end in Bengal," Amit Shah said.

"Mamata Banerjee condoled only four people. She didn't shed a single tear for Anand Burman because he belonged to a Rajvanshi community. He wasn’t fit for her appeasement politics. This type of politics is not the culture of Bengal."

"Mamata Banerjee still has time to condole the fifth killing (Anand Burman) and apologise to the people of Bengal for her speech," he added.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee tore into the Election Commission and the BJP in her campaign rally in Jalpaiguri.

She said, "They (BJP-ruled Centre) know they have lost in 4 phases (of Assembly polls) so now they are using guns. We will take revenge for these bullets in form of ballots."

"I am a Royal Bengal Tiger. They didn't let me go (to Cooch Behar). I talked to them (families of deceased in firing incident) over video call sitting in Siliguri."

"It's an incompetent govt with incompetent PM & HM. They're coming here daily to capture Bengal. You are welcome, nobody has stopped you. But make people happy rather than threatening them. You get people killed by central forces and later issue them a clean chit," she said.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has lashed out at the Election Commission over the firing incidents in Cooch Behar district during the fourth phase of polling in West Bengal which claimed four lives.

The Election Commission had late Saturday evening barred all politicians from entering the Cooch Behar district following the violence.

On Sunday morning, Mamata took to Twitter to state that the "Election Commission should rename MCC (Model Code of Conduct) as Modi Code of Conduct!"

She further said, "BJP can use all its might but nothing in this world can stop me from being with my people and sharing their pain. They can restrict me from visiting my brothers and sisters in Cooch Behar for 3 days but I will be there on the fourth day!"

Heavy polling despite incidents of violence. 76.16% polling so far in West Bengal Phase 4. 
 

At 5 pm, West Bengal has registered approximately 76.16% voting.

At 3 pm, West Bengal has registered 65.14% voting.
 

Sourav Ganguly cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Shashibhusan Janakalyan Vidyapith, Behala, South 24 Paraganas on Saturday. 

"Four of our innocent workers have been killed on instructions of Amit Shah. We will take out protest march tomorrow at several locations and all of us will wear black badges. We still don’t know the names of those who fired at our workers," said Subrata Mukherjee. 

Didi does not preside over destiny of people of Bengal, they are not your 'jagir' (fiefdom): PM Modi at poll rally

The Election Commission Saturday adjourned voting in PS 125 of Sitalkurchi seat in Cooch Behar after a clash between political workers and subsequent firing allegedly by CISF officers led to the death of four people.

The Commission sought detailed reports from Observers and CEO by 5 pm.

Violence marred polls in Coochbehar with five dead in two separate incidents. While a first time voter was shot dead by miscreants in Sitalkuchi in the morning while four persons died just before noon.As alleged four persons died when central forces were forced to fire after they were attacked.  
 

33.98% voter turnout recorded till 11:30 am amid violence.  

Four shot dead in in Sitalkuchi in Bengal's Cooch Behar district amid clashes between TMC and BJP workers. 

PTI quoting police sources says the four were killed when CISF allegedly opened fire after coming under attack. 

A first-time voter was shot dead by unidentified persons outside a polling booth in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday, police said, reported PTI.

The Trinamool Congress alleged that the BJP was behind the killing, while the saffron party claimed that the deceased was its polling agent at the booth and accused the ruling party.

The youth, identified as Anand Burman, was dragged outside polling booth number 85 in Pathantuli area of Sitalkuchi while voting was underway and shot dead, a police officer said.

Clashes broke out in Pathartuli area in Sitalkuchi area between TMC and BJP workers. Police resorted to lathicharge and CAPF personnel were deployed. EC officials reached the booth in Pathartuli as voters were unable to vote

In Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi, a first time voter was shot to death by a miscreant while he was standing in queue.

15.85% voter turnout recorded till 9am in 44 seats where polling is underway for fourth phase of the West Bengal elections. 

Voting trends at 1645 hours 

First Cooch Behar, then Howrah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at yet another election campaign rally.

Here are highlights of what he said:

* "Didi, o didi, people of Bengal believed in you and you broke their trust. You broke the heart of the people of Bengal."

* Didi has accused you of taking money and selling your votes! Do you do this? Isn't this your insult? You must respond to this in the elections!

* "Sonar Bangla will be built by behaviour and a clean conscience, and with the right policy."

* "The truth of whatever Didi did to West Bengal has come out. This is why Didi is threatening people of West Bengal. Didi says 'Amra dekhe nebo', BJP says 'Amra Seva Korbo'. We are humbly asking for a chance to serve people."

Trinamool Congress has accused BJP workers of attacking TMC candidate Sujata Mandal.

In a tweet, the TMC claimed: Petrifying visuals of @BJP4India goons attacking TMC candidate Sujata Mandal, openly abusing her & threatening her with rods & sickle. If they have the guts to do this to a female candidate, imagine what they can do to your daughters. This is their 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'"

PM Modi targets West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Cooch Behar

* "Didi has started issuing threats to people these days that if she doesn't win, all benefits will stop!"

* "Recently, the tapes that have been revealed gives Didi's report card of 10 years. Didi has started a new tax in Bengal -- 'Bhaipo Service Tax'!"

* "For 10 years, women, Dalits, backward classes and tea workers were subjected to injustices, you kept watching. For 10 years, farmers were deprived of irrigation and storage facilities but Didi, you were just an onlooker.

* "For 10 years, your (Mamata) corruption goons continued to loot Bengal and you were a mute spectator. For 10 years, injustice with North Bengal continued, but you chose to be a mute spectator."

* "Didi, people say you play a lot of football. You've already scored an own goal in football of politics!"

* "Recently, Didi said that every Muslim must get together and not allow their votes to be divided. Didi, it means you know that the Muslim vote bank, that you considered your strength, is also slipping away from you!"

* "TMC and Didi's exit has already been confirmed. People in huge numbers have come out and voted in our favour. The wave of BJP in Bengal has cornered Didi's goons and her nephew."

Clash erupts between TMC and BJP supporters in Hooghly's Arambag in West Bengal, as voting in assembly elections is underway. 

"In Arandi-I area here, we have a minority. SC voters who love Mamata Banerjee. Goons of BJP threatened and tortured women voters last night," Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh said.

BJP candidate from Jalukbari in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma casts his vote and says, "There're 40 seats in this phase. We are expecting to win on 22 of them... the number can be higher." 

"This election, we will win more seats. Last time, we had won 84 seats. We are expecting at least 90 seats this time." 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote in Kannur's Pinarayi.

After casting his vote, Vijayan, who is contesting from Kannur's Dharmadam against Kannur District Congress Committee General Secretary C Raghunath and CK Padmanabhan for the BJP, said: "It will be a historic win for LDF. Just like how the opposition's allegations were dismissed by the people of Kerala in the local body polls... it is being dismissed in the Assembly polls and we witnessed that sentiment in the election campaign. We are expecting a decisive victory. From 2016, be it welfare measures or development activities, or when we faced the disasters, people stood by us. It is the people who have stood by us at all times, They are casting their decree."

If you are a Covid-infected person undergoing home isolation in one of the four states or Union territory, here is how you can exercise your mandate.

According to Election Commission guidelines, thermal checking of voters will be done at the entry point of the polling station location/polling station, either by polling staff or Para Medical staff or Asha worker. 

If the temperature is above the set norms of the Union health ministry at first reading, then it will be checked twice and if it remains, then the elector shall be provided with a token/certificate and will be asked to come for voting at the last hour of the poll. 

At the last hour of the poll, such electors shall be facilitated voting, strictly following COVID-19 related preventive measures.

Those who are Covid-19 infected and the polling officers will have to wear PPEs when the person votes.

Representative image

Election Commission has suspended a sector officer after three EVMs and four VVPAT machines were found in TMC leader Goutam Ghosh's residence.

Sector Officer Tapan Sarkar, who is in charge of Sector 17 in Uluberia seat, had spent the night at Goutam Ghosh's house who happens to be hs relative. 

The EVMs and VVPAT machines with Tapan Sarkar were part of the reserve stock. EC says they will not be used for voting today

Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and his two daughters Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan on Tuesday cast their votes.

Kamal, who is contesting from the Coimbatore South assembly constituency, cast his vote at Teynampet as polling across 234 assembly constituencies in 38 districts of Tamil Nadu is underway.

The MNM chief's daughters actors Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan also exercised their votes

Among those casting their vote early was DMK President MK Stalin, who cast his vote at the Siet College booth in Teynampet. He was accompanied by his wife Durga and son Udhayanidhi Stalin.

After casting his vote, Stalin said: "I have been getting reports of high voter turnout from across the state. This vote is against the ruling party."

In his message to voters, PM Modi says: "Elections are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeals to voters

Voting is underway in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.

In West Bengal, 31 assembly constituencies are going to polls, including key areas like Tarakeswar, Shyampur and Diamond Harbour. 

Polling of votes is underway for the 140-seat Kerala assembly.

Polling for the third and final phase of the tea-garden state of Assam began on Tuesday morning with security arrangements in place.

Voting also began in Tamil Nadu to choose 234 members. The key contests include Edappadi, Bodinayakkanur, Kolathur, Coimbatore South and Thousand Lights constituencies

In Puducherry, polling is underway in 30 constituencies of the legislative assembly. There are 324 candidates in the fray

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cut short his poll campaign in Assam and is returning to Delhi in view of Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh. He is returning after addressing one out of three rallies he was supposed to address: Jitendra Singh, BJP's co-in charge for Assam poll to ANI.

Amit Shah took on the ruling LDF and UDF in Kerala today. Here are highlights of his speech at Sulthan Bathery:

* "LDF has nothing to do with efficiency. They only aspire for power on fear of political violence. Numerous workers of BJP and RSS have been killed in Kerala. Vijayanji, the BJP is never afraid of working hard and will never be afraid."

* "Congress was sitting mum when Lord Ayyappa's devotees where being lathi-charged here! BJP-NDA strongly feel management of temples should be managed by devotees and not atheists."

* "The Gold scam was done by Vijayan's govt. If you change it to UDF, solar scams will take place again. Nothing will change. LDF-UDF are very similar to the core."

* "UDF and LDF are both confused parties. They fight each other here, but fight together in Bengal! Do Left and Congress do politics of ideology or just power?"

* "Now, Wayanad is Rahul baba's constituency. He was Amethi's MP for 15 years, had not done anything to make Amethi better. Later, he shifted to Wayanad. I've never witnessed a tourist politician like him. He will do no development in the region."

Amit Shah took on the ruling LDF and UDF in Kerala today. Here are highlights of his speech at Sulthan Bathery:

* "LDF has nothing to do with efficiency. They only aspire for power on fear of political violence. Numerous workers of BJP and RSS have been killed in Kerala. Vijayanji, the BJP is never afraid of working hard and will never be afraid."

* "Congress was sitting mum when Lord Ayyappa's devotees where being lathi-charged here! BJP-NDA strongly feel management of temples should be managed by devotees and not atheists."

* "The Gold scam was done by Vijayan's govt. If you change it to UDF, solar scams will take place again. Nothing will change. LDF-UDF are very similar to the core."

* "UDF and LDF are both confused parties. They fight each other here, but fight together in Bengal! Do Left and Congress do politics of ideology or just power?"

* "Now, Wayanad is Rahul baba's constituency. He was Amethi's MP for 15 years, had not done anything to make Amethi better. Later, he shifted to Wayanad. I've never witnessed a tourist politician like him. He will do no development in the region."

The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 3 crore of TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, its MP Satabdi Roy and Debjani Mukherjee in the Saradha chit fund money laundering case.

The central probe agency said in a statement that the assets belong to "Kunal Ghosh, ex-Rajya Sabha MP from Trinamool Congress (CEO of Media Group Saradha), Satabdi Roy, Lok Sabha MP from TMC (brand ambassador in Saradha), and Debjani Mukherjee who is director in Saradha Group of companies in Saradha chit fund case."

Assets worth Rs 600 crore have been attached in this case till now.

The ED is probing the money laundering aspect of the alleged ponzi scam since April, 2013.