Assembly Election updates: Amid poll violence, 71 more CAPF companies to be rushed to West Bengal

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Amid poll violence, 71 more CAPF companies rushed to Bengal

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday directed the Union Home Ministry to deploy 71 additional companies of Central Armed Police forces (CAPFs) in West Bengal for the conduct of the remaining four phases of polls, official sources said.

The order comes in the backdrop of multiple incidents of poll violence in the state, including the one on Saturday in Cooch Behar where police said four people were killed in firing by CISF personnel, who had retaliated after allegedly being attacked. Senior officials said the poll panel has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to rush in and deploy the fresh companies “immediately”.

​The new companies are drawn from the BSF (33), ITBP (13), CRPF (12), SSB (9) and CISF (4).

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Locket Chatterjee slams Opposition over attack on her car today

“One daughter of Bengal is attacking the other. If I broke the glass of my car myself then who broke the other two press vehicles? You all (media) were present there. Did press themselves break their own vehicles?” the BJP candidate from Chunchura said on Saturday evening.

Earlier on Saturday, Chatterjee’s car was ransacked at Bandel in Hooghly district on Saturday during the fourth phase of Bengal polls. Speaking to an Election Commission official over phone, Chatterjee said she was attacked by locals at polling booth number 66 in Hooghly. She also claimed that media professionals were also attacked during the incident.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Overall voter turnout in West Bengal as of 6 pm: 76.16 percent

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

BJP can’t give citizenship to Matuas, they already have it: Mamata Banerjee

Accusing the BJP of making “false promises” for the members of the politically significant Matua community on citizenship, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that those people have already been given all rights as citizens.

Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, claimed that if the saffron party is voted to power, it will keep the people of West Bengal in detention camps as it has done to “14 lakh Bengalis” in Assam. “Your Didi (the CM herself) has already ensured citizenship right of the Matuas by facilitating land deed to every refugee occupying government or private lands. Why is the citizenship issue being raked up again?” she said at public meetings held in North 24 Parganas district.

Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are a weaker section of Hindus who migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Mamata Banerjee says CID probe into Cooch Behar firings to be instituted

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state government will order a CID probe into the firing by central security forces on voters in Cooch Behar on Saturday.

“We will order CID probe into firing by central forces on voters at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar. I believe, this incident (firing incident in Cooch Behar) is pre-planned. I will order an investigation into the matter. Home minister Amit Shah is completely responsible for today’s incident and he himself is the conspirator. I don’t blame central forces because they work under home minister’s order,” she said.

She added, “I will be going to Mathabhanga hospital tomorrow at 10 am and from there I will go to Alipurduar. I couldn’t go to Cooch Behar today due to Model Code of Conduct as polling is going on there.”

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

West Bengal records 72.81% polling percentage at 5.15 pm

Meanwhile, the polling percentage in Alipurduar was 68.51%, in Hooghly was 75.99%, in Howrah was 70.14%, and in South 24 Parganas it was 72.90%

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Congress’ BK Hariprasad to shoulder Jitin Prasada’s responsibilities in West Bengal

BK Hariprasad, the Congress’ senior observer overseeing campaign management for the West Bengal polls, will now also shoulder the responsibilities of AICC in-charge of the state Jitin Prasada, who tested positive for COVID-19 recently and is in quarantine.

Prasada, who was engaged in aggressively campaigning for the Assembly polls, had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and has been in quarantine as advised by doctors.

“Mr Jitin Prasada is the AICC in-charge and will remain so. But since he is down with COVID-19, I would be filling in for him during the campaign,” B K Hariprasad told

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Narendra Modi says BJP will ‘free’ Bengal from ‘mafia, bloodshed’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed a public meeting in West Bengal’s Krishnanagar on Saturday, said, “After years of bloodshed, fear, atrocity and goodaism, Bengal will now walk towards peace and progress to fulfil the vision of ‘Sonar Bangla’. This land will be freed of mafia, cow traffickers and infiltration.”

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Sitaram Yechury condoles deaths of four voters in Cooch Behar

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury on Saturday said the EC must institute a “high-powered enquiry under judicial supervision and punish the guilty”.

Central forces firing upon voters & killing 4 is outrageous.
Totally condemnable.
EC must order a high powered enquiry under judicial supervision & punish the guilty.
Deepest condolences to the bereaved families.https://t.co/Ayahs85mFj

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Bengal records overall polling percentage of 66.76% till 4.09 pm

The district-wise polling percentage is:

Alipurduar: 68.51 percent

Cooch Behar: 70.21 percent

Hooghly: 67.42 percent

Howrah: 65.23 percent

South 24 Parganas: 64.07 percent

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

TMC writes to EC over Cooch Behar deaths

Trinamool Congress (TMC) writes to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal over "Cold-blooded murder of four and brutal injury of three innocent people by Central Forces." pic.twitter.com/Vgq1ReGsHx

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

‘PM Modi, Mamata equally popular’ in Bengal, says Prashant Kishor in purported audio clip

A controversy erupted on Saturday amid the polling for 44 Assembly seats in West Bengal, with the BJP releasing an audio clip where Trinamool Congress’ election strategist Prashant Kishor is purportedly heard saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “as popular as” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the state.

Sharing excerpts of Kishor’s chat with some journalists, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that “TMC’s election was just thrown away!” Kishor dared the BJP to release the full record of the chat on Clubhouse, a social media platform, and claimed that the saffron camp would not get more than 100 Assembly seats in the ongoing elections.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

West Bengal Police says investigation into Cooch Behar deaths underway

DIG Jalpaiguri Range on Saturday said, “Polling has been stopped at polling station number 126 of Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar; further investigation is underway.”

West Bengal | Polling has been stopped at polling station number 126 of Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar; further investigation is underway: DIG Jalpaiguri Range pic.twitter.com/j1T2zYp8jG

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Mamata Banerjee responds to EC notice:

“There has been no effort to incite/influence the electorate against CAPFs. It is clear I haven’t violated Model Code of Conduct,” West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in her reply to the EC notice about her comments on the central security forces.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Sourav Ganguly casts vote in South 24 Parganas district

West Bengal: Sourav Ganguly today cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Shashibhusan Janakalyan Vidyapith, Behala, South 24 Paraganas pic.twitter.com/YKetlQp7jO

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Overall polling percentage at 53.13% in Bengal till 3 pm

In terms of districts, Cooch Behar recorded the highest polling percentage at 58.06 percent, while South 24 Parganas district recorded the lowest at 48.32 percent.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

TMC seeks explanation from EC over Cooch Behar deaths

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Saturday sought explanation from the Election Commission over the death of four persons, who were shot allegedly by central forces at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district during the fourth phase of Assembly elections.

“We are sad to say with deep concern that firing by central forces has left four dead and four injured at Mathabhanga. We also want to say that the central forces are committing crimes and crossing all limits. The EC should come out with an explanation,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen said. Sen said when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had pointed to the excesses of the central forces, she was twice issued a showcause notice.

“Now, the people of the state want to showcause the EC about how this unfortunate event unfolded,” she said.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Mamata Banerjee demands Amit Shah’s resignation over Cooch Behar deaths

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday sought  Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation over firing by central forces at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, killing four people. Banerjee, speaking at a public meeting at Baduria in North 24 Parganas, said she will be leaving for Cooch Behar after attending rallies, and will visit the spot where central forces opened fire during polling.

Appealing to people to remain calm, Banerjee alleged that central policemen shot dead people standing in a queue to vote and demanded “Shah should resign” owing responsibility for the incident “which is dastardly, cold-blooded and unprecedented”.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

CRPF says not deployed at affected booth in Cooch Behar

The CRPF issued a clarification after the media reported that its personnel “opened fire after coming under attack”.

“Regarding a recent incident being reported in media about killing of four civilians outside booth 126, Jorpatki in Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar, it’s clarified that CRPF component was neither deployed at the said booth nor involved in the incident in any way,” the statement said.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

‘Why did Central forces fire at common voters?’: TMC

“Why did the Central Armed Police Forces fire? Where do they get this audacity of firing on common voters? That is the main question. This is a part of a conspiracy and we do not think that the PM is out of this conspiracy. This is an effort to intimidate voters,” said TMC MP Saugata Roy at a press conference about the deaths of voters in Cooch Behar district.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Mamata Banerjee calls for state-wide protests tomorrow

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who condoled the deaths of the voters in Cooch Behar on Saturday, called for a state-wide protest on Sunday, 11 April, The Hindu reported. The report also quoted her as saying that she will visit the spot of the violence.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Mamata Banerjee slams BJP over Cooch Behar deaths

“CRPF has shot dead four people in Sitalkuchi (Cooch Behar) today. There was another death in the morning. CRPF is not my enemy but there’s a conspiracy going around under the instruction of Home Minister and today’s incident is proof,” claimed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after deaths were reported in the Sitakulchi constituency on Saturday.

“CRPF have killed voters standing in the queue, where do they get so much of audacity? BJP knows that they have lost so they are killing voters and workers,” she added.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

EC adjourns polling at Sitakulchi polling station

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday ordered the adjourning of polls in polling station 126 of the Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency in the Cooch Behar district, based on an interim report from special observers. Four people were killed in the area as polling was underway for the fourth phase of the Assembly election.

“Detailed reports sought from them and Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm today,” the EC further said.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

TMC delegation to meet EC today

Trinamool Congress to address a press conference at 1pm today. @SaugataRoyMP, Subrata Mukherjee, @derekobrienmp will address the media at Trinamool headquarters.
Thereafter, a five-member @AITCofficial delegation will meet the @ECISVEEP in Kolkata at 3pm. #BengalElection2021

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Narendra Modi accuses TMC of ‘instigating violence’, condoles deaths in Cooch Behar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed a poll rally in Siliguri on Saturday, condoled the deaths due to political violence in Cooch Behar district. The fourth phase of polls is underway in the state.

“What happened in Cooch Behar is very saddening. My sympathies are with the families of those who died, I condole their demise. Didi and her goons are perturbed, seeing the people’s support for BJP. She has stooped to this level as she can see her chair slipping away.

“I would like to tell Didi, TMC and their goons clearly that their ways will not be allowed to work in Bengal. I urge the Election Commission to take strict action against the accused of the incident in Cooch Behar,” he said.

He added, “Didi, this violence, tactics of instigating people to attack the security forces, the tactics of obstructing the polling process will not protect you. This violence can’t protect you from the 10 years of your ill-governance.”

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Derek O’Brien claims 3 more dead

TMC MP Derek O’Brien slammed the BJP for the political deaths during the fourth phase of election in West Bengal on Saturday.

Trinamool Congress to address a press conference at 1pm today. @SaugataRoyMP, Subrata Mukherjee, @derekobrienmp will address the media at Trinamool headquarters.
Thereafter, a five-member @AITCofficial delegation will meet the @ECISVEEP in Kolkata at 3pm. #BengalElection2021

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 10, 2021

Modi- Shah you desperate duo. You thugs. If 5 were not enough, 3 more shot and killed by central forces. Just got the tragic news.

This is your ‘Sonar Bangla’ ! Bengal won’t ever forgive you. https://t.co/qmaDKcUNhB

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

TMC writes to EC, claims five supporters killed

In an email to the Election Commission, Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’ Brien wrote, “In Booth no. 126, AC-Sitalkuchi, 5 people have been shot dead by the CRPF after BJP captured the Booth. According to our sources on the ground, all 5 were AITC Party Workers belonging to a certain faith.”

The email was further quoted by The Hindu as saying, “This is a grave violation of the law and the MCC on manifold accounts. I strongly urge you to escalate the matter on priority and begin an investigation at the earliest to apprehend the perpetrators.”

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Bomb squad defuses country-made bombs in Birbhum district

#WATCH Bomb squad defuses country-made bombs found by police last night in Nanur, Birbhum district#WestBengal pic.twitter.com/NNIXAeY9ej

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Four killed as central forces ‘open fire’ after coming under attack, says report

Four persons were killed as CISF personnel allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who “attempted to snatch their rifles”, in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on Saturday, PTI reported. The incident took place in Sitalkuchi area when voting was underway, a senior police officer said, according to the report.

“As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF personnel opened fire after coming under attack in a village. A scuffle took place and locals gheraoed them and attempted to snatch their rifles, following which the central forces opened fire. Further details are awaited,” he said.

Election officials said a report on the incident has been sought from the district officials.

West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST updates

Voter shot dead at polling booth in Cooch Behar district, say reports

A first-time voter was allegedly shot dead on Saturday in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, where the fourth phase of the Assembly elections is underway amid sporadic incidents of violence, PTI reported.

An 18-year-old voter, Ananda Barman, was allegedly shot dead by miscreants outside booth number 85 in Pathantuli area after clashes broke out between activists of the ruling TMC and the BJP. The culprits, who are yet to be identified, managed to flee, the report added quoting officials.

The incident led to violence in the area as bombs were hurled, prompting central forces to baton-charge to bring the situation under control, police said. “We have received information about a person being shot outside a polling booth in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar. We have sought a report from the micro observer,” an Election Commission official said.

Additionally, PTI also quoted police sources as saying that four people had died after CISF allegedly opened fire after coming under attack  in Sitalkuchi.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

16.65% turnout till 11 am

According to the latest figures released by the Election Commission, a turnout of 16.65 percent has been recorded in the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls till 11 am.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

ITBP personnel deployed in Hooghly 

ITBP personnel, deployed on election duty, at polling booths in Rishra of Hooghly district help an elderly woman to cast her vote for the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls.

ITBP personnel, deployed on election duty, at polling booths in Rishra of Hooghly district help an elderly woman as she arrives to cast her vote for the fourth phase of #WestBengalPolls. pic.twitter.com/Ib4WVOmU3O

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Locket Chatterjee’s car ransacked in Hooghly’s Bandel

Car of BJP candidate from Chinsurah Locket Chatterjee was ransacked at Bandel in Hooghly district on Saturday during the fourth phase of Bengal polls.

Speaking to an Election Commission official over phone, Chatterjee said she was attacked by locals at polling booth number 66 in Hooghly. She also claimed that media professionals were also attacked during the incident.

#WATCH West Bengal: BJP leader Locket Chatterjee speaks to an Election Commission official over phone, says that she was attacked by locals at polling booth no.66 in Hooghly. She also says that journalists have been attacked too and demands that additional forces be sent here. pic.twitter.com/rrgGpFxfHT

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Urge them to release full conversation: Prashant Kishor on ’leaked’ audio

Responding to the ’leaked tapes’ where Prashant Kishor was purportedly heard saying “Modi, Mamata equally popular”, the poll strategist on Saturday asked the BJP to release the full conversation of the audio. 

“Glad BJP’s taking my clubhouse chat more seriously than words of its leaders. On selective use of part of conversation, urge them to release full conversation,” said Kishor.

He had allegedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a cult to some people and anti-incumbency in Bengal is against the state government, not the Centre.

Glad BJP's taking my clubhouse chat more seriously than words of its leaders. On selective use of part of conversation, urge them to release full conversation: Prashant Kishor to ANI on leaked audio where he's saying "Modi, Mamata equally popular" among Bengal poll-related things pic.twitter.com/8LTUv6gRjX

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Prashant Kishor’s strategy will not work in Bengal: BJP’s Rajib Banerjee

“Prashant Kishor’s strategy will not work in West Bengal, his strategy has failed. People are done with TMC here. In Bengal, only Narendra Modi’s strategy will work,” said BJP leader Rajib Banerjee, in Domjur.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Alipurduar district records highest turnout till 9.30 am

Till 9.30 am, Alipurduar district has recorded the highest turnout at 17.98 percent, while South 24 Parganas has recorded the lowest turnout at 13.15 percent.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

15.37% turnout recorded till 9.30 am

According to the latest figures released by the Election Commission, a turnout of 15.37 percent has been recorded in the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls till 9.30 am.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

TMC, BJP workers clash in Sitalkuchi; one person killed, say reports

A major clash was reported between TMC and BJP workers from Sitalkuchi Assembly seat in Cooch Behar district on Saturday during the fourth phase of Bengal elections.

According to The Hindu, one person was killed when miscreants opened fire at people standing in the queue. The deceased identified as Ananda Barman (18).

Just in | Violence at #Sitalkuchi Assembly seat in #CoochBehar dist. in north #Bengal. One person killed when miscreants opened fire at people standing in the voting queue. The deceased identified as Ananda Barman(18)#WestBengalElections2021

- via @shivsahays

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

At least 4.5 lakh tea garden workers in Dooars, Terai regions to vote today 

The fourth and fifth phases of the West Bengal assembly elections will present a politically crucial section of the electorate the opportunity to exercise their franchise – around 4.5 lakh tea garden workers – who are harbouring hopes of a better minimum daily wage and rights to their land.

The tea belt of Dooars and Terai region in north Bengal, comprising 12 constituencies, will go to polls on Saturday and April 17, respectively, amid spirited calls by trade unions to lay emphasis on the welfare of the workers, irrespective of the party voted to power.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Nearly 790 companies of CAPF deployed across 15,940 polling stations

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful voting, with 789 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) being deployed to guard 15,940 polling stations.

At least 187 companies of CAPF, the highest deployment of forces among poll-bound districts in the phase, are in Cooch Behar, which has witnessed sporadic incidents of violence, including an attack on BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, in the run-up to the elections.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Biggest challenge to remove Mamata, TMC from Bengal: Babul Supriyo

The biggest challenge is to remove Mamata Didi and TMC from West Bengal. Aroop Biswas (TMC candidate from Tollygunge seat) has been the right hand of all her works. So is a challenge to change the atmosphere of terror here, said BJP candidate Babul Supriyo from Tollygunge.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

TMC’s Natabari candidate wears helmet to avoid ‘untoward incident’

TMC candidate from Natabari Assembly constituency in Cooch Behar, Rabindra Nath Ghosh wore a helmet on Saturday during the fourth phase of Bengal Assembly polls. He said, “I am wearing this to avoid any untoward incident.”

TMC candidate from Natabari constituency in Cooch Behar, Rabindra Nath Ghosh seen wearing a helmet this morning. He says, "I am wearing this to avoid any untoward incident."#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/rxNWOLvMD8

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Polling underway in Alipurduar

Voting process is underway for the fourth phase of #WestBengalElections2021. Visuals from a polling station in Alipurduar. pic.twitter.com/7FW4TPR65Z

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Defections in Hooghly and Howrah give new dimension to political contest

The BJP has an advantage in the 14 seats going to the polls in north Bengal’s Alipurduar and Cooch Behar as the party won both the Lok Sabha seats in these districts in 2019.

In the eleven seats going to the polls in South 24 Parganas on Saturday, both in the rural areas and the urban areas adjoining the city, the Trinamool Congress has an advantage, going by the results of past elections.

However, in Hooghly and Howrah, defections have given new dimension to the political contests.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Visuals from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas

People stand in a queue outside Hatgacha Haridas Vidyapith (HS), designated as a polling booth, in Bhangar Assembly segment of South 24 Parganas district to cast their votes.

People stand in a queue outside Hatgacha Haridas Vidyapith (H.S), designated as a polling booth, in Bhangar of South 24 Parganas district to cast their votes.#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/fEu5La2n58

— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2021

West Bengal election LATEST updates

TMC alleges BJP goons creating ruckus in Cooch Behar’s polling booths

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday alleged that BJP goons created ruckus outside several polling booths in Cooch Behar district — Sitalkuchi, Natalbari, Tufanganj and Dinhata — and prevented TMC agents from entering the booth, ANI reported.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Babul Supriyo, Partha Chatterjee among key candidates

Over 1.15 crore electors will decide the fate of 373 candidates, including Union Minister Babul Supriyo and West Bengal ministers Partha Chatterjee and Arup Biswas for 44 seats in the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 being held today (10 April, 2021).

While Supriyo will lock horns with sitting MLA Arup Biswas at Tollygunj, Partha Chatterjee, who is also the TMC’s secretary-general, will take on film actor Srabanti Chatterjee of the BJP in Behala West seat to return to the Assembly for the fourth successive term. Also in the fray on Saturday is TMC turncoat Rajib Banerjee from Domjur in Howrah district on a BJP ticket.

West Bengal election LATEST updates

Modi urges people to vote in large numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people to vote in large numbers in the fourth of the eight-phased Assembly election in West Bengal on Saturday. “As the 4th phase of the West Bengal elections begin, urging the people voting today to do so in record numbers. I would especially request the youth and women to vote in large numbers,” tweeted the prime minister.

West Bengal election LATEST updates 

Key contestants in phase 4 polls

Among those contesting in the fourth phase are senior Trinamool Congress leader and Education Minister Partha Chatterjee from Behala Purba and Public Works Department and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Aroop Biswas from Tollygunj in South 24 Parganas.

Minister for North Bengal Development Rabindranath Ghosh is in the fray from Natabari in Cooch Behar and Minister for Agriculture Marketing Arup Roy is contesting from Howrah Madhya.

West Bengal election LATEST updates  

Voting in 44 seats across five districts today

The fourth phase of the high octane West Bengal election is being held in 44 constituencies covering Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts in north Bengal and parts of South 24 Parganas (Part 3), Howrah (Part 2) and Hoogly (Part 2) in the southern part of the state.

More than 1.5 crore voters will exercise their franchise to seal the fate of 373 candidates from the ruling TMC, the BJP-led NDA, the Congress-led Sanjukt Morcha as well as Independents.

West Bengal election LATEST updates  

Voting for phase 4 to begin at 7 am

Polling for 44 constituencies in the fourth phase of the eight-phased West Bengal Assembly election will begin today at 7 am and continue till 6.30 pm amid COVID-19 precautions and tight security arrangements.