Updated Apr 16, 2021 | 19:46 IST
The EC has banned rallies, public meetings in West Bengal from 7 pm to 10 am beginning today due to rise in COVID-19 cases. Representational Image
Key Highlights
Silence period for rallies, public meetings, street plays, nukkad sabha, bike rallies or any gathering for campaigning purposes shall be extended to 72 hours before the end of the poll for Phase 6, Phase 7 and Phase 8 It shall be the responsibility of the organisers of public meetings, rallies, etc to provide of masks and sanitisers to every person attending these meetings, rallies
EC noted several instances of election meetings and campaigns wherein norms of social distancing, wearing of masks etc have been flouted in blatant disregard of the Commission s aforesaid guidelines
An FIR has been lodged against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a police station here, alleging that she instigated voters to gherao central forces and that, in turn, led to the incident of firing in Sitalkuchi and the subsequent death of four persons.
Siddique Ali Mia, the zilla president of BJP s minority cell in Cooch Behar, cited the TMC supremo s comments during a rally in Banerswar area as he filed a complaint on Wednesday claiming that her address provoked people to attack CISF personnel during the fourth phase of state elections.
He attached a video clip of Mamata’s speech in his complaint at Mathabhanga police station.
EC Strikes Down Mamata Banerjee’s Plea, Not To Club Bengal Poll Phases
There has been speculation in the media that the last three phases of the assembly elections on April 22, 26 and 29 could be clubbed into a single phase. File Photo Outlook Web Bureau 2021-04-15T20:40:42+05:30 EC Strikes Down Mamata Banerjee’s Plea, Not To Club Bengal Poll Phases outlookindia.com 2021-04-15T20:54:06+05:30
Dismissing speculations that the last three phases of assembly polls in West Bengal could be clubbed in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, the Election Commission on Thursday said, (There is) no such plan of clubbing phases,”
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Mamta Banerjee blamed the BJP for the spread of Kovid. (File)
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the remaining four phases of elections to be held in a day in view of the growing Kovid affairs in the state. Bengal is the only state where elections are still to be held. Other states that went to the polls this time – Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala – and the Union Territory of Puducherry, are now awaiting results.
“Amid an ongoing epidemic, we strongly opposed @ ECISVEEP’s decision to hold the WB election in 8 phases. Now, in view of the surge in # COVID19 cases, I urge ECI on the remaining stages in one phase. Consider it. It will protect. ” People further approached # COVID19, ”Ms Banerjee tweeted this evening.
Mamata Banerjee waved at enthusiastic people who gathered along the road.
Kolkata:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday held a roadshow in Kolkata as she sought to bolster the ruling Trinamool s campaign in the ongoing assembly elections, and wished people peace and prosperity on the occasion of Bengali New Year.
Accompanied by yesteryear Bollywood icon and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, Banerjee was seen greeting the crowd with security personnel pushing her wheelchair.
The TMC supremo led the 4-km roadshow from Alochhaya cinema hall in the Beleghata area of the city to Bowbazar and waved at enthusiastic people who gathered along the road.