Highlights
It said that Banerjee made an appeal to voters along communal lines while campaigning
Banerjee had called for consolidation of minority votes
Kolkata: The Election Commission on Wednesday (April 7) issued a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks calling for consolidation of minority votes.
The Commission said that it has found her speech violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the model code of conduct.
The EC notice stated that Banerjee made an appeal to voters along communal lines while campaigning in Hooghly.
Without naming Indian Secular Front’s Abbas Siddiqui at a rally in Hooghly’s Tarakeswar, Banerjee had said, “I am requesting my minority brothers and sisters with folded hands, don’t divide the minority votes after listening to the devil (Shaitaan) who had taken money from the BJP.”
The BJP had on April 3 complained to EC alleging that Banerjee, a contesting candidate from 210-Nandigram AC, had during a speech in Hooghly, telecast on TV channel ABP Ananda, appealed to the Muslim voters not to let their vote be split among different political parties.
As per transcript of her speech sent to EC by chief electoral officer of West Bengal, Banerjee, while mentioning scholarships given to university students, mentioned Shikshashree for SC/ST, Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for general category and Aikyashree “for my brothers and sisters belonging to the minority community”.
“I have given it to 2.35 crore beneficiaries. I am requesting my minority brothers and sisters with folded hands don t divide the minority votes after listening to the devil (Shaitaan) person who has taken money from the BJP, she said.
West Bengal third phase polls: Amid turmoil, polling ends with 77.68 pc turnout
Ahead of the third phase, three EVMs and four VVPATs were found in the residence of TMC leader Gautam Ghosh
An ITBP jawan guarding a poll booth in the Hoogly rural constituency during the third phase of West Bengal Assembly polls on April 6, 2021
Photo by Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Kolkata: After a day of turmoil, voting for the third phase of the tightly contested West Bengal assembly elections ended on Tuesday evening with a voter turnout of 77.68 per cent. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), some instances of violence and brawls were reported in a few areas and some arrests have been made.
Bengal third phase polls: Amid turmoil, polling ends with 77.68 pc turnout ANI | Updated: Apr 06, 2021 20:09 IST
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 6 (ANI): After a day of turmoil, voting for the third phase of the tightly contested West Bengal assembly elections ended on Tuesday evening with a voter turnout of 77.68 per cent.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), some instances of violence and brawls were reported in a few areas and some arrests have been made. One incident happened in Khanakul where a candidate went to different polling stations. There was an altercation between two groups, and four were arrested. In Arambagh, another altercation took place after a candidate reached Arandi and five others were arrested,
BJP, TMC leaders level allegations counter-allegations as third phase campaign ends in Bengal ANI | Updated: Apr 04, 2021 23:01 IST
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 4 (ANI): The fierce campaigning for the third phase of polling in West Bengal ended on Sunday with top leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee making accusations and counter-accusations on the issues of governance.
A total of 31 assembly constituencies including eight in Hooghly, seven in Howrah and 16 in South 24 Parganas will go to polls in phase-III.
Both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP have undertaken power-packed rallies and mega roadshows ahead of the third phase. The Samyukt Morcha, the alliance of the Congress, Left Front and the Indian Secular Force (ISF) were found a little backfoot when it comes to fierce campaigning.