West Bengal

Kolkata, May 14 (PTI) BJP and TMC supporters Tuesday fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during a massive roadshow by Amit Shah, who escaped unhurt but was forced to cut short the jamboree and had to be escorted to safety by police.

Parts of the city plunged into a welter of violence as his convoy was attacked with stones by alleged TMC supporters from inside the hostel of Vidyasagar College, triggering a clash between supporters of the two parties, officials said.

Canning/Kolkata, May 13 (PTI) The slugfest between BJP and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal turned acrimonius Monday ahead of the ultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls over BJP president Amit Shah's "Kangal Bangla" remark and TMC leader Derek O'Brien hitting back calling him "puke-worthy" and a "low-life".

Shah had been denied permission to land his chopper and hold a meeting at Baruipur under Jadavpur constituency during the day forcing him to call off his programme.

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) The Election Commission on Sunday appointed 2008 batch IAS officer Mukta Arya as the new District Magistrate and District Election Officer for Bankura in West Bengal, removing Uma Shankar from the post.

The transfer followed complaints against DM-cum-DEO Shankar after a clash between TMC and BJP workers on Sunday.

Arya has been asked to join her new assignment immediately, as per an order of the Election Commission.

"The new officer should join before commencement of scrutiny tomorrow," the EC order said.

Hasnabad/Dum Dum (WB), May 11 (PTI) Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee Saturday alleged that the BJP is using money to buy votes and demanded that all vehicles, including helicopters used by the prime minister and union ministers, be checked by the Election Commission.

Banerjee asked the EC to check even cars and the helicopter used by her, if need be.

She cautioned voters about outsiders and alleged that Union ministers travelling with 'Z' and 'Y' category security carry funds in their vehicles.

Baduria (WB), May 11 (PTI) TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee Saturday said if party leader Madan Mitra can be arrested for "just a picture" with Saradha group founder Sudipta Sen, the prime minister should also be held for "posing" with fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi.

Mitra, a former transport minister of West Bengal, was released from custody on bail in September 2016, after spending over 21 months in jail in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chitfund scam.

Kolkata, May 10; GANASHAKTI: CPI(M) General Secretary  Sitaram Yechury  conducting  intense poll campaigning in the  Jangalmahal region, in Bankura, Purulia  and Jhargram, Bishnupur  Loksabha segment, has warned of sinister designs of the RSS, Sangh Pariwar and BJP,  to overshoot Indias’ Secular, Democratic constitution  and has warned of planned “Takeover“ of the country, if Modi is voted to Power, this time.

Kolkata, May 10; GANASHAKTI: Amid reports of widespread violence across districts in West Bengal in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain would come to the eastern metropolis on May 12 and hold a high-level meeting the next day ahead of the last phase of elections, an official said here on Thursday.

Jain is scheduled to come here on Sunday late evening, the day on which the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls in eight constituencies will be held in the state.

Kolkata, May 10 (PTI) The high-pitched campaigning by different political parties for eight Lok Sabha constituencies going to the polls in the sixth phase on May 12 came to an end Friday evening.

Election in this phase will cover Jangal Mahal - the forested region of Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram and Purulia districts which used to be a Maoist hotbed during the erstwhile Left Front regime.

Kolkata, May 10 (PTI) BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, Nilanjan Roy has been booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually molesting one minor girl inside a house at Falta in West Bengal, police said Friday.

The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) sources said the body received a complaint from the alleged victim against the inactiveness of the state police in arresting the accused.

Ghatal, May 10 : With two days left for Ghatal constituency to go to polls, the police has seized Rs 1.13 lakh cash from the vehicle of BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh late Thursday night, a senior police officer said Friday. The car in which the former IPS officer was travelling was intercepted at Mangal Bar in Pingla area in West Midnapore district at around 11 PM on Thursday, he said.