West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2019 voting Updates: Crude bombs, bricks hurled at TMC leader Madan Mitra's car in 24 North Parganas

Bombing in Mathurpur, vandalism in Newtown reported

Bombing was reported at Mathurapur Lok Sabha constituency. Initial reports allege that both TMC and BJP are responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, incidents of vandalism were reported at booth numbers 255 and 256 in Newtown. Trinamool Congress alleged that central forces shouted “Jai Shree Ram” and vandalised the whole camp. They also allegedly vandalised TMC hoardings.

Inputs by A Ghose

Heavy police, central forces deployment in Bhatpara, where the situation still remains tense

Input by A Ghose

#WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 | Situation in Bhatpara remains tense, with heavy deployment of police and central forces. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYWgwy5
Video: A Ghose pic.twitter.com/d70k50LTuf

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Voter turnout at 64.17 percent in West Bengal at 5 pm

• Dum Dum 65.24%
• Barasat 65.38%
• Basirhat 72.07%
• Jaynagar 66.40%
• Mathurapur 66.39%
• Diamond Harbour 69.07%
• Jadavpur 61.84%
• Kolkata Dakshin 58.66%
• Kolkata Uttar 54.99%

BJP executing horror story with help of central forces, says TMC in statement

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 #𝟮 pic.twitter.com/jw9qPJjLnz

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 19, 2019

Never seen such torture before, says Mamata Banerjee

After casting her vote at Kolkata’s Bhawanipur, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, “Since morning, the torture that BJP workers and CRPF have done during polling in our state, I have never seen it before.”

BJP’s Jadavpur candidate Anupam Hazra alleged a special mark was put on TMC’s symbol at EVMs

Hazra told ANI, “The presiding officer is trying to fool me saying he doesn’t know anything. I spoke to a few voters who said the presiding officer was whispering to them that they need to press the button which is inked. It’s clearly a pre-planned game.”

Kolkata: Anupam Hazra, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, alleges a special mark was put on TMC's symbol in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to misguide illiterate & semi-literate voters and indicate them to press that button. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6cAnNZBWOY

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee casts vote in Kolkata’s Bhawanipur

After casting her vote, Banerjee said that the TMC will win 42 out of 42 seats in the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote for #LokSabhaElections2019 at a polling station in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/jVDFPJytnh

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

‘Babul Supriyo go back’ slogas raised in Vidyasagar College area

‘Babul Supriyo go back’ slogans raised by TMC men when the BJP candidate was in the Vidyasagar College area. Babul said leaders like Madan Mitra had done rigging using muscle power and now they are blaming others for the same.

Input by A Ghose

#WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 | '@SuPriyoBabul go back' slogans raised by TMC men when the @BJP4Bengal leader visited the Vidyasagar college area. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYWgwy5 pic.twitter.com/bqPOr9YKKk

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Two BJP workers attacked by TMC goon in Jadavpur

Two BJP workers sustained major injuries after being allegedly attacked by TMC goons at booth numbers 103 and 104 in Futala Saltalia area of Jadavpur constituency. The injured BJP workers have been taken to a hospital for treatment.

Input by A Ghose

Police, CRPF personnel deployed in Ashoknagar after reports of tensions, rigging by TMC

Tensions mounted as soon as allegations of rigging by the BJP at booth numbers 32 and 33 in Ashoknagar, Bamundanga area of Barasat constituency. Large number of police and CRPF personnel have been deployed to control the situation.

The female polling agent of BJP alleged that she was subject to abusive words when she tried to resist rigging TMC men.

Input by A Ghose

#WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 | Security personnel deploted amid tensions fuelled by allegations of rigging by the @BJP4Bengal at booth numbers 32 and 33 in Ashoknagar, Bamundanga area of Barasat constituency. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYWgwy5 pic.twitter.com/tL6tUtfhKY

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Former cricketer Saurav Ganguly cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Janakalyan Vidyapith

Kolkata: Former Indian cricket team Captain Sourav Ganguly cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Janakalyan Vidyapith earlier today. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/nwruUqWe4V

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

Bengal polls 51.59% till 3 pm

Crude bombs, bricks hurled at TMC leader Madan Mitra’s car

TMC leader Madan Mitra’s car was attacked with crude bombs and bricks in 24 North Parganas district’s Kankinara, reported CNN-News18. Situation tense as quick response teams were rushed to the area.

Central forces are forcing, threatening citizens in West Bengal to vote for the BJP, Derek O’Brien claimed in a statement posted on behalf of the TMC on Facebook

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝟮 𝗣𝗠 pic.twitter.com/qLB58IAdfb

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 19, 2019

TMC workers have allegedly gheraoed the convoy of BJP leader and Kolkata North candidate Rahul Sinha’s in Kolkata’s Sonagachi, reports CNN-News18.

TMC MP from Barasat Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar argues with a security personnel at a polling booth in the constituency

#WATCH Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP from Barasat & candidate from the same constituency, argues with a security personnel at a polling booth in Barasat. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/okBovGxXU4

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal Lok Sabha election seventh phase in numbers

Number of seats going to polls: 9
Kolkata North and Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC)

Number of candidates in fray: 111

Size of electorate: 1,49,63,064

Number of polling booths: 17,042

Central forces companies deployed for security reasons: 710

BJP leader Anupam Hazra’s car was attacked

BJP’s Jadavpur candidate Anupam Hazra’s car was attacked near the South 24 Parganas district on Sunday. Hazra escaped with minor injuries. “We also rescued our three polling agents.TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP, but they (TMC workers) are not allowing people to vote,” Hazra told ANI.

TMC’s Basirhat candidate Nusrat Jahan cast her vote

Actress and Trinamoll Congress’ Basirhat candidate Nusrat Jahan cast her vote today. She was recently criticised by a Muslim cleric for visiting various temples during her campaign trail.

West Bengal: TMC's Candidate from Basirhat, Nusrat Jahan greets people after casting her vote in the constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 #VotingRound7 #FinalPhase pic.twitter.com/s29E1lRA41

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

TMC leader got into an argument with security personnel at a polling booth in West Bengal’s Bhatpura

#WATCH: TMC leader Madan Mitra, party's candidate for the bypoll to Bhatpara Assembly seat, argues with a security personnel at a polling booth in the assembly constituency. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/qfBJ3Zzylb

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

49.79% turnout till 2 pm in Bengal

Middle class and Muslim community to hold sway over seats

  The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal is half-way concluded in the nine seats that went to polls on Sunday. The voter turnout is the highest among all the states that are voting.

Reports said that the decisive votes in the West Bengal election will likely be the urban middle class and the Muslim community. The BJP is optimistic about having made inroads into the vote share ofthe “upwardly mobile families”, however, the nine seats also include those that are Muslim-dominated, which will also decide the fate of the 111 candidates in the fray for these seats.

“In Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar, BJP polled 25 percent votes and came in second in 2014. Five years later, the BJP continues to grow, with a large section of the educated middle class being polarised. It remains to be seen how the events of the last few days, especially the violence leading to the violence leading to the vandalising of Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar’s statue, play out in the vote,” a report by The Times of India said.

Nirmala Sitharama addresses press over poll violence in West Bengal

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the media over the incidents of poll violence in West Bengal and alleged that the Trinamool Congress was responsible for the vandalism and intimidation that has taken place on Sunday. She said that the saffron party has two concerns, which is that voters are being intimidated and not allowed to cast their votes.

To tackle this, the Union Minister demanded an order for the 100 percent deployment of Central security forces in the state till the Model Code of Conduct is in force, till the results are declared on 23 May.

CNN-News18 reported several cases of misconduct by allegedly TMC workers, which is in Kolkata Dakhin’s Mudiali area, the BJP alleged booth capturing whereas in Jadavpur the saffron party alleged proxy voting.

BJP to meet EC over poll violence today

A delegation of the BJP is likely to meet the West Bengal chief electoral officer to raise the issue of violence that has marred the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election in the state, CNN-News18 reported.

The delegation, which is expected to seek a meeting with the poll panel at 3.30 pm on Sunday, is likely to be led by Bengal BJP leaders Jai Prakash Majumdar and Shishir Bajoria.

The saffron party is likely to bring up the bomb-related incidents that took place on Sunday and also the attacks carried out allegedly by TMC workers on BJP candidates Nilanjan Roy and Anupam Hazra.

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

High polling of 35.24% till 1 pm in Bengal

Dum Dum election voting latest updates

80-year-old woman carried by son to cast vote

In West Bengal’s Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency, a man carried his 80-year-old mother to polling booth number-242 so that she could cast her vote in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election.

West Bengal: A son took his 80-year-old mother to polling booth number-242 in Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency so she can cast her vote. #LokSabhaElections2019 #Phase7 #FinalPhase pic.twitter.com/7tArfAL2eb

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Diamond Harbour election voting latest updates

Nilanjan Roy’s car attacked allegedly by TMC

The BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour, Nilanjan Roy was allegedly attacked by TMC in the Budge Budge area in the 24 South Parganas district of West Bengal. His convoy was attacked and his car vandalised.

Input by A Ghose

Kolkata Uttar election voting latest updates

Crude bomb explosion in Girish Park

A crude bomb explosion took place in the Kolkata Uttar constituency in the Girish Park area, CNN-News18 reported. This is the first incident of a bomb-related incident in Kolkata, whereas at least two incidents of crude-bombs were reported in the Barasat and Basirhat constituencies in the morning.

Extra personnel of central security forces have been deployed in the city, the report said. The BJP blamed the TMC for the incidents of violence.

Kolkata Uttar election voting latest updates

EC to use two EVMs in every booth in Kolkata Uttar constituency

The Election Commission will on Sunday put to use two Electronic Voting Machines in each booth in the Kolkata North constituency, as the candidature of 21 nominees has surpassed the capacity of a single EVM, a senior official said on Saturday.

The poll panel has commissioned 2,000 extra EVMs and employed more personnel to man them, he said. “There are 21 candidates in the Kolkata Uttar constituency and the maximum one voting machine can accommodate is 16. This has necessitated two EVMs in each booth,” the official told PTI.

The EC had faced a similar situation in Howrah, Malda​ North and Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituencies, too.

Jadavpur election voting latest updates

Anupam Hazra rakes up ‘covered’ faces accusation against TMC

The BJP candidate from Jadavpur, Anupam Hazra, at a polling booth number in the constituency said that female TMC workers “with covered faces” were casting “proxy” votes. “it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised an objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station,” he said.

BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra at polling booth number 150/137 in Jadavpur: Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station. pic.twitter.com/Grf3rwoVc6

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

Bengal sees highest polling at 32.15% till noon

Jadavpur election voting latest updates

Anpam Hazra alleges TMC workers were planning to carry out EVM ‘rigging’

The BJP candidate from Jadavpur, Anupam Hazra, after his car was attacked near 24 South Parganas district said that the TMC “goons” had beaten up a BJP mandal president, driver, and then attacked the car.

“We also rescued our three polling agents.TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote,” he said.

Several EVM glitches reported in first five hours of polling

Multiple incidents of EVM malfunctions were reported as the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election took place across nine constituencies in West Bengal on Sunday, even resulting in voters going back without having cast their votes.

In Kolkata Dakshin’s Thakurpukur Elizabeth School booth, the malfunctioning EVM stalled voting, even though initially voting had taken place for about an hour after the process began at 7 am.

In the Bankura Lok Sabha constituency’s Shaltora Chatarmali booth, repolling took place in the morning on Sunday after voting was cancelled on 12 May. Voting was cancelled because the EVM was vandalised in the sixth phase of polling.

Input by A Ghose

First time since Independence, West Bengal likely to have voted on religious lines

West Bengal is likely to have voted in the ongoing Lok Sabha election based largely on religious polarisation for the first time since 1952, a report said. It is expected that the pattern will continue as the state steps out to vote in the seventh and final phase on Sunday.

“The alleged discontent with the state’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s appeasement policies with the minorities especially the Muslims, is believed to have played a part,” a report by Business Standard said .

Jadavpur election voting latest updates

Anupam Hazra’s car attacked near 24 South Parganas district

BJP’s Jadavpur candidate Anupam Hazra’s car was attacked near the South 24 Parganas district on Sunday. The car’s glass was shattered, however. Hazra escaped with minor injuries. Hazra was travelling with BJP yuva morcha’s people and their cars.

Input by A Ghose

Dum Dum election voting latest updates

Polling officer breaks down after incidents of violence in constituency

A polling officer broke down into tears at a polling booth in the Dum Dum constituency as incidents of violence were reported across the nine West Bengal seats that went to polls on Sunday, ABP News Hindi reported.

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

So far, highest polling in Bengal at 15.56%

Kolkata Dakshin election voting latest updates

Journalists attacked by alleged TMC workers, one injured

Amid scattered incidents of violence in WestBengal during the final phase of the Lok Sabha election, journalists were allegedly attacked by TMC workers in the Kolkata Dakshin area. One mediaperson sustained an injury to his head. 

Input by A Ghose

Amid scattered incidents of violence in #WestBengal during the final phase of the #LokSabhaElections2019, journalists were allegedly attacked by TMC workers in the Kolkata Dakshin area. One mediaperson sustained an injury to his head. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYVYVGx pic.twitter.com/850PTMXwax

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Kolkata Dakshin election voting latest updates

CK Bose argues with polling agents after BJP polling agent allegedly not allowed inside booth

In the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, the polling agent of the BJP was allegedly not allowed to sit inside the booth no 164. Party candidate CK Bose started arguing with the other polling agents at the booth.

In the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, the polling agent of the BJP was allegedly not allowed to sit inside the booth no 164. Party candidate CK Bose started arguing with the other polling agents at the booth. Follow LIVE updates on #LokSabhaElections2019 in #WestBengal: pic.twitter.com/1OcIDDcsib

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Mala Roy obstructed from entering polling booth to visit

The TMC’s Kolkata Dakshin candidate Mala Roy was stopped from entering the polling booth to visit. After an argument between her and the security forces in charge of the booth, she was allowed to enter.

Input by A Ghose

Basirhat election voting latest updates

Voters protest outside Basirhat polling booth

Voters held a protest outside polling station number 189 in the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday. They alleged that TMC workers were not allowing them to cast their vote. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu said, “100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote.”

West Bengal: Voters hold protest outside polling station number 189 in Basirhat, allege that TMC workers are not allowing them to cast their vote. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu says, "100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote." pic.twitter.com/9qoXEi8YDV

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Barasat election voting latest updates

BJP-TMC clashes in Barasat

Poll-day violence in West Bengal continued on the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday as bomb-related incidents were reported in Basirhat and clashes between BJP and TMC workers took place in Barasat, CNN-News18 reported.

Basirhat election voting latest updates

Violence reported in Basirhat constituency on Sunday

A bomb-related incident was reported in the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency on the final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday. The incident was reportedly outside Deganga’s booth no 66/67. Allegations are that some unidentified men on a bike hurled minor bombs. As soon as the security forces rushed to the scene, they left the bike and fled.

Input by A Ghose

#VotingRound7 had begun in #WestBengal with relative peace. However, blasts have been reported from #Basirhat's #Deganga now. #BJP candidate Chandra Bose has said #TMC workers had been threatening his party poll agents across the state. https://t.co/TCZ4Rmy1YH pic.twitter.com/AESzQpmkhJ

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

14.33% turnout in West Bengal till 10 am

CPM candidate accuses TMC supporters of bullying at Kolkata booth

At Kolkata’s Belgachia Academy School polling station, CPM candidate Kanika Ghosh accused TMC supporters of “bullying”. Reportedly, two CPM candidates have been beaten up at the booth and a CPM polling agent was allegedly pushed out of polling booth.

Input by A Ghose

TMC compains to EC about Narendra Modi’s Kedarnath Yatra

The TMC has complained to the Election Commission regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kedarnath on Saturday, one day before the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election. The Mamata Banerjee-led party alleged that the prime minister’s Kedarnath Yatra was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, reports said.

“Election campaign for the last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi’s Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last two days. This is a gross violation of model code of conduct,” the party’s statement said.

No difference between terrorist organisation and TMC: CK Bose

CK Bose, who is taking the opportunity to target the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC over the violence in the state, said that there was “no difference” between a terrorist organisation and the Trinamool Congress.

He was quoted by ANI as saying, “Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths that they have been threatened by TMC’s ‘jihadi’ brigade, that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you’ll be murdered. There’s no difference between a terrorist organisation and TMC.”

BJP's CK Bose: Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths that they have been threatened by TMC's 'jihadi' brigade that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you'll be murdered. There's no difference between a terrorist organisation & TMC. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/OkG6e4l3TT

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Mathurapur election voting latest updates

Bomb blast reported in Mathurapur on Saturday

A bomb blast was reported in West Bengal’s Mathurapur Lok Sabha constituency’s Raydighi area on Saturay. West Bengal police are probing the matter.

Input by A Ghose

West Bengal voting percentage latest updates

14.22% turnout in West Bengal amid reports of EVM malfunctions

Jadavpur election voting latest updates

Voters allege disruption in voting process in Jadavpur poll booth

Voters and BJP workers have alleged that people are not being allowed to cast their votes at the Bhangar polling booth under the Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency. Voters also claim that the TMC is not allowing people to cast votes. Voters claimed that TMC leader Arabul Islam did not allow them to vote.

Input by A Ghose

Kailash Vijayvargiya says TMC ‘killing" democracy in West Bengal

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is also at the helm of the saffron party’s operations in West Bengal, said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration was made up by “goondas”. He said, “In Mamata’s administration, hooligans and the police are killing the democracy in the state.”

CK Bose says Mamata Banerjee engages in ‘jihadi’ politics

The BJP’s candidate for the Kolkata Dakshin constituency and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s nephew, CK Bose slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the violence in the state over the election season so far. He also said that the TMC chief engages in “jihadi politics”.
 

“Mamata Banerjee’s politics is only jihadi politics today. She only employs criminals in her party, the Trinamool Congress is a congregation of opportunists who have come together to loot the state of West Bengalm” Bose said.

Rahul Sinha accuses TMC of influencing voters

BJP leader and the party’s candidate for the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, Rahul Sinha accused the Trinamool Congress workers of “influencing” voters, Zee News Hindi reported.

Barasat election voting latest updates

Voters agitate after EVM glitch stalls voting

Voters expressed annoyance after an EVM malfunction was reported in one of the polling booths in the Barasat Lok Sabha constituency, as the glitch delayed voting.

Input by A Ghose

Barasat election voting latest updates

Unidentified people set parts of BJP camp on fire

In the booth number 201 under the Barasat constituency in West Bengal, unidentified people set parts of a BJP camp on fire. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Input by A Ghose

Parts of the #BJP camp in the Barasat constituency of #WestBengal, were set on fire by unidentified people as polling got underway for the final phase of the #LokSabhaElections2019. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYWgwy5 pic.twitter.com/uYcrgnsQLL

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Dum Dum election voting latest updates

EVM malfunction reported in Dum Dum constituency

An EVM was replaced by polling officials after a malfunction was reported in the Panihati area of the Dum Dum constituency.

Input by Tanmoy Bhaduri

Abhishek Banerjee says Modi ‘must substantiate’ statements made in Diamond Harbour rally

Abhishek Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “bua-bhatija” remark made in the election rally on 15 May. Banerjee, who has just cast his vote, sent a defamation notice to the prime minister over the same on Saturday.

Outside the polling booth, as the final phase of the Lok Sabha election, Abhishek said, “Whatever he (PM) said in the (public) meeting on 15 May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof and justify what he said. If he fails to do so, I’ll sue him in the criminal and defamation cases. I’ll drag him to the court and do the needful.”

The prime minister had said that the days of the “bua-bhatija” government in the state are numbered, a charge he has often made referring to Mamata and Abhishek.

A Banerjee, TMC leader: Whatever he (PM) said in meeting on 15May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof & justify what he said. If he fails to do so I'll sue him in the criminal & defamation cases. I'll drag him to the court & do the needful pic.twitter.com/IwNVnkyxhr

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Abhishek Banerjee casts vote in Kolkata Dakshin constituency

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at the polling booth no 208 in the South Kolkata constituency on Sunday. 

West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew & TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote at polling booth no. 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary Constituency. pic.twitter.com/PLmTu7HpHH

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Kolkata Dakshin election voting latest updates

BJP’s CK Bose casts vote

The BJP Lok Sabha candidate from the South Kolkata parliamentary constituency, Chandra Kumar Bose — grand nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose — cast his vote at a polling booth in City College, in Kolkata.

West Bengal: BJP Lok Sabha candidate from South Kolkata parliamentary constituency, CK Bose casts his vote at a polling booth in City College, in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/MZAKmrrUvm

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Kolkata Uttar election voting latest updates

BJP’s Rahul Sinha casts vote in Jadavpur

The BJP’s candidate for Kolkata North, Rahul Sinha cast his vote at a polling booth in a school in Jadavpur on Sunday, for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election.

West Bengal: Kolkata North BJP candidate Rahul Sinha casts his vote at polling booth in Bijoygarh Shikshaniketan For Girls, in Jadavpur. pic.twitter.com/q2dtJGB3gf

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Kolkata Dakshin election voting latest updates

Visuals of voters standing in line in Kolkata Dakshin constituency

People wait to cast their votes at the booth near Tribarna Sangha Kasba in the South Kolkata constituency.

Input by Puja Bhattacharjee

Barasat election voting latest updates

BJP camp office in Barasat constituency

The BJP camp office has been vandalised in the Barasat constituency within an hour into voting for the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election, reports said. India Today also reported that the restive constituency is being monitored closely by security forces and state administration.

Young voters rue having to leave state for employment

One of the issues the main Opposition party, the Congress, targetted the ruling BJP over was that of employment. Prapan Kumar Guha, 30, standing in line to vote in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election, said he is concerned about jobs and the economy of the state.

He said that he works outside West Bengal and doesn’t like that so many young people have to work outside the state. He wants a government that welcomes industry and says that the present government not working enough towards industrialisation of the state.

Input by Puja Bhattacharjee

Kolkata Dakshin seat to see BJP-TMC contest

The Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha constituency will witness Mala Roy of the TMC battling it out against BJP’s Chandra Kumar Bose. The CPM has nominated Nandini Mukherjee and the Congress Mita Chakraborty.

Tough fight for Jadavpur seat as TMC seeks third consecutive term from constituency

The prestigious Jadavpur parliamentary constituency in West Bengal has never blessed a political party for a third consecutive term. Can the Trinamool Congress buck the trend?

The TMC is banking on 30-year-old Bengali film-star Mimi Chakraborty for a third consecutive win in Jadavpur, where party chief Mamata Banerjee, then a feisty young Congress leader, had trounced CPI(M) veteran and noted lawyer Somnath Chatterjee in 1984.

And this time, TMC’s Chakraborty faces a stiff challenge from former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya of the CPM. The BJP, in a bid to win the seat riding on its growing popularity, has fielded Anupam Hazra, a TMC parliamentarian in the outgoing Lok Sabha who switched sides before the election.

(PTI)

Abhishek Banerjee seeks re-election from Diamond Harbour seat

Sitting MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and is considered the number two in the party, is seeking re-election from the Diamond Harbour seat, where he is pitted against BJP’s Nilanjan Roy. The CPM has nominated Fuad Halim and the Congress Soumya Aich Roy for the seat.

We have to choose ‘best among the worst’, say voters in Kolkata constituency

Tapan Chakraborty, 70, waiting in a queue at a booth in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, said that he is casting a vote because he “has” to.

“Issues don’t matter as whoever wins, common people will have to suffer,” he said. He added that at this point, the voters have to choose the best among the worst.

Input by Puja Bhattacharjee

Kolkata Dakshin latest updates

EVM glitch reported in Kolkata Dakshin constituency

Voting has been delayed in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, as polling got underway for the final phase of the Lok Sabha election. An EVM glitch was reported in a booth in the City college polling station.  

Input by SS Parveen

#LokSabhaElections2019 in #WestBengal: As polling in the final phase got underway in the state, EVM glitches delayed voting in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency at polling station booth number 153. Follow LIVE updates: https://t.co/cGGvYVYVGx pic.twitter.com/Uthk8KzIme

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Voters step out after high voltage clashes mar campaigning

Clashes between TMC and BJP workers have been reported during almost every phase of the Lok Sabha election so far, and the conflict spilled into the campaigning period too. To keep the violence in check, the Election Commission made an unprecedented move and curtailed campaigning in West Bengal two days ahead of the polls instead of the stipulated one day gap.

Reportedly, at least 800 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state for the final phase of polls. There have been more than 300 incidents of poll violence reported from West Bengal so far.

Kolkata Dakshin latest updates

Early voters line up to vote in the Kolkata South constituency

As voting begins for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal, voters queue up to cast their votes in Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency.

The main candidates in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency are Mala Roy of the Trinamool Congress, Nandini Mukherjee of the CPM, and Chandra Kumar Bose of the BJP.

Input by SS Parveen

Eight seats to see four-cornered fight

All seats, barring Jadavpur, are set to see a four-cornered fight between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. Congress has decided not to field a candidate in the Jadavpur constituency.

An electorate of 1,49,63,064 will vote in the nine constituencies on Sunday, which will decide the fate of 111 candidates.

Nine West Bengal Lok Sabha seats will go to polls today

In the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday, West Bengal will see nine seats — Kolkata North and Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC) — go to the polls.