Jayatri Nag

Calcutta High Court's cancellation of jobs of 25,753 candidates has become a major political flashpoint between BJP and Trinamool in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged teachers and school staff not to cast a single vote to BJP, Congress & CPI-M, holding them responsible for their job loss. Meanwhile, BJP assured legal assistance to the eligible candidates who lost their jobs due to the Bengal government not giving a list of ineligible candidates to HC.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) about the record number of central paramilitary forces deployed in West Bengal and alleged that RSS cadres were distributing cash to people while seeking votes in Medinipur. Banerjee also raised questions about the seven phases of elections in Bengal, compared to one phase in Tamil Nadu, and accused the BJP of designing the poll schedule for ECI to allow their leaders to campaign in Bengal.

Darjeeling's political landscape is unique, with hill-based parties that switch support between Trinamool and BJP. As the region gears up for the second round of Lok Sabha elections, issues like Gorkhaland statehood and minimum wages for tea garden workers take center stage. BJP's Raju Bista, the incumbent, faces competition from Gopal Lama (Trinamool), Munish Tamang (Congress), and independent candidate Bishnu Prasad Sharma. While BJP has dominated in recent years, the demand for Gorkhaland and regional development remain key concerns.

Talking about central force deployment in Bengal, Banerjee said, “I would urge ECI to come out with a list-how many central forces have been deployed in which states and why record number of central forces have been sent to Bengal and why? You want to capture Bengal? You don't have faith in people?”

Considered a stronghold of the BJP, Raju Bista, originally from Manipur, is the BJP candidate contesting for a second time. This time, there is a three-cornered fight –– Trinamool candidate Gopal Lama, a former bureaucrat and son of the soil is pitted against Congress's Munish Tamang and BJP's Bista.

Dhar's name came up in connection with Sitalkuchi incident, when Dhar Coochebehar SP during polls.Dhar said he will move High Court over cancellation of nomination issue. "The state government has not given 'no due certificate'. There were no dues and thus the issue does not arise. We are moving High Court on the issue," Dhar said.

The West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly stumbled on board of her chopper while on her way to a campaign in Kulti on Saturday afternoon from Durgapur. The nature of her injury is not known yet. However, the injury was minor and she went to her scheduled rallies in Kulti and Asansol.

The explosion reportedly occurred in the house of Dilip Das, who is brother of local BJP leader Nitai Das. Shyamoli Das, wife of Dilip Das, was injured in the kitchen when she was cooking. The case was being investigated by the local police, official sources said.

The Maldaha Uttar and Maldaha Dakshin constituencies are in Maldaha district, historically known as the fortress of Congress' iconic leader ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury. But the glory of the past has started fading. In this minority dominated district, politics has changed its course.

Speaking at Malda's Sujapur election rally, Banerjee said the Congress and Left Front have partnered and fielded CPI-M's Mohammed Salim in Murshidabad, in a bid to divide Muslim votes and help the BJP. "This election is to oust PM Modi but BJP will benefit if there is a division of Muslim votes," Banerjee said in Malda.