'The local administration is working overtime to improve voter turnout and take it beyond the 50% to 60% mark. This is evident from the massive advertising being done to propagate the same. Not a single government building is left standing without it being plastered with the Election Commission's posters and banners.'
The objection comes against the backdrop of strong rumours and the Bharatiya Janata Party claim that Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana will be the first choice for the chief minister's post in case her husband was arrested.
Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.
Ahead of Mother's Day, Rediff readers write about their mothers and tell us what they mean to them.
After losing two festive seasons to Covid-led restrictions, 2022 is seeing an uninhibited celebration of festivals. This is pushing up discretionary spend, which is attracting advertisers and brands, who are ready to capitalise on the momentum. The festive season has begun with Onam and Ganesh Chathurthi held earlier this month in Kerala and Maharashtra, respectively.
Mamata Banerjee was on Friday unanimously elected as the leader of the Trinamool Congress legislature party at its meeting in Kolkata.
Could the Haji Ali dargah verdict be the beginning of the end of all social discrimination -- against women, against Dalits, the low castes and the caste-less, asks Durba Dhyani.
The COVID-19 case fatality rate has further declined to 1.51 per cent.
The top posts on social media from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
Kolkata has, yet again, outdone itself when it comes to establishment-defying social commentary through Puja pandals.
Udayanidhi has handed over to the BJP one real issue to draw the line between it and the INDIA alliance, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.
Hima Das said she will continue to strive for excellence in her sport alongside her job in state police.
'The bhadralok would have earlier baulked at the very idea of wearing a coloured dhoti; now, with Dr Banerjee wearing, it is quite likely to be the hot fashion item during Durga Puja next year,' says Uttaran Das Gupta.
'...It was because Lataji sang for us.'
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday unveiled its manifesto for the West Bengal elections, promising to build a 'Sonar Bangla' by providing employment, strengthening social security schemes and vowing to clear the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in the first cabinet meeting of the new government.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee died while being treated for cardiac ailments at a state-run hospital in Kolkata on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
The death toll climbed to 4,52,290 with 166 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 30,000 for 18 straight days.
Banerjee claimed that some people will try to "engineer riots" during elections and urged everyone "not to fall prey to the plot".
A day after the city saw huge crowds of mid-night revellers thronging the eastern metropolis's busy Park Street to celebrate Christmas, health experts and doctors cautioned the state government against allowing more such gatherings especially during the New Year festivities
For six days in a row the active cases of COVID-19 remained below 9 lakh.
For the fifth day in a row, the active cases of COVID-19 remained below 9 lakh.
2020 has dimmed the animated bulbs that create magical images and transform Kolkata into a mesmerising fairyland during Durga Puja.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will not be held at Bengaluru's Idgah Maidan, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while refusing to grant permission for the function and ordered status quo on the plot by both parties. Noting that no such function as Ganesh Chaturthi was organised at Idgah Maidan for the past 200 years, the top court asked the parties to approach the Karnataka high court for the resolution of the dispute.
Images from the ICC Men's ODI World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, October 14.
Belgium's King Phillippe on Friday recalled his long association with India during a lunch he hosted for President Pranab Mukherjee, including time spent in the Indian leader's home state of West Bengal as a young backpacker.
Though there was no fare hike proposal in the Rail Budget this time, passengers will have to cough up more for travelling on new trains with added facilities in the coming days.
Pancham, like his father, was besotted by Lata Mangeshkar's voice and his career's finest songs were reserved only for her.
The top court said if it transfers the election petition, it would be an expression of lack of faith in the entire high court.
An executive of a private airline said even though volume picked up, it will be difficult for airlines to make money as fares have remained low even during festive season.
A look at the pictures.
India is celebrating one of its biggest festivals commemorating the victory of good over evil. In Bihar, which is in the middle of its biggest election campaign, festivities are in full swing. Archana Masih set out to capture the mood on the street of small town India and discovered some things that one no longer finds.
Banerjee slammed the opposition for a "malicious campaign" launched against her, asserting that she does not support corruption.
'Gulzarsaab's words are lucid and singing them is like painting a picture.'
The MeT department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal till Saturday, ahead of Durga Puja festivities.
Days after Al Qaeda issued a video threatening to carry out its campaign in India, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said the terror group is trying to set up base in the state and had "tacit understanding" with United Liberation Front of Asom.
As Gulzar turns 86 on August 18, Subhash K Jha celebrates the iconic figure by picking his five favourite songs.
As the curtain come down on 2022, Roshmila Bhattacharya flashbacks to some of the year's newsmakers and events.
Emerging from the meeting at 10 Circular Road residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi where he met RJD president Lalu Prasad, Raj Ballabh Yadav told reporters it was a courtesy visit to extend greetings of Durga Puja.
India will play their 250th Test at home when they face New Zealand in the second five-day game of the three-match series at the iconic Eden Gardens from September 30, and the Cricket Association of Bengal has lined up a host of events to make this a special occasion. To start with, a Lord's like bell will be rung to mark the beginning of the historic Test and the CAB also has plans to felicitate both the teams. "We just got a confirmation that this will be the 250th Test on Indian soil which makes it historic and special," CAB joint-secretary Avishek Dalmiya said.
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