Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday, police said. The incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, they said.
The newly elected BJP-led government in West Bengal will take oath on May 9, coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary, according to West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya. He also addressed post-election incidents and urged party workers to celebrate responsibly.
A former Trinamool Congress councillor was allegedly assaulted in West Bengal's Howrah district following an altercation, amidst post-election violence.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards vandalism and attacks on police personnel following violent protests in Kolkata. He warned of strict legal action and promised full government support for law enforcement.
Police in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, have registered an FIR after a statue of B.R. Ambedkar was vandalised in Katia Usmanpur village. Unidentified individuals broke the hand of the statue, leading to a police investigation and the deployment of forces in the area.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a stone at the Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express, causing damage and chaos among passengers.
The 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, is set to be dismantled due to safety concerns after being found unstable in the wind.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has penned a new poem titled 'Girgiti' (Chameleon), which political observers believe carries a veiled message for leaders who have recently turned critical of the Trinamool Congress.
In south-eastern Kolkata's Patuli, hundreds of residents gathered outside the local police station to protest against Councillor Bappaditya Dasgupta, who was arrested on Saturday evening, on charges, including extortion, criminal trespass, criminal intimidation and attempted arson.
A tailor has been arrested for allegedly setting vehicles on fire during labour unrest in Noida on April 13. Police allege the accused incited workers to strike and then participated in arson, damaging vehicles with iron pipes. The accused was identified using scientific and electronic evidence.
The house of former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Santosh Chowdhary in Hoshiarpur was allegedly broken into by unidentified persons who vandalised property and committed theft. Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Gurugram Police have arrested six individuals, alleging a planned conspiracy behind the recent unrest at factories in the IMT-Manesar area. Investigations suggest external elements incited workers to riot and engage in arson over salary hike demands.
A BJP and a Trinamool Congress worker were killed in separate incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal on Tuesday, police said.
Six employees were injured after a mob allegedly stormed the Ghamroj toll plaza near Haryana's Sohna, assaulting workers and vandalising the toll office following a minor dispute, police said.
A statue of B R Ambedkar was found damaged in Khambal village of Rajasthan's Sirohi district, triggering protests by locals, police said on Sunday.
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) staged a protest in Panchkula, alleging that the BJP government in Haryana is unfairly recruiting individuals from outside the state for government jobs, thereby depriving local youth of employment opportunities.
Three resident doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital in Aligarh have been suspended and booked by police after a clash with patients' attendants. Emergency services at the hospital have been severely affected for three days. The doctors face charges including rioting and assault.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has demanded action against those who orchestrated attacks on the party's offices in the state, also criticising the Aam Aadmi Party and warning against creating Bengal-like conditions in Punjab.
A statue of B R Ambedkar was vandalised in Noorpur Jattan village, Punjab, leading to protests and claims of responsibility by a pro-Khalistan leader. Police are investigating the incident, which is not the first of its kind in the area.
Gautam Buddh Nagar police have arrested two more individuals, Himanshu Thakur and Satyam Verma, in connection with the recent violence during worker protests in Noida. The accused are alleged to have orchestrated provocative activities and violence during the demonstrations.
Supporters of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and the ruling TMC clashed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district during the first phase of the state assembly polls, leading to police intervention and heightened security measures.
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) staged a protest in Panchkula, alleging that the BJP government in Haryana is unfairly recruiting individuals from outside the state for government jobs, thereby depriving local youth of employment opportunities.
Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar has alleged a 'well-planned conspiracy' behind the recent violent protests by workers in Noida, suggesting a possible link to Pakistan in light of recent terror arrests.
A statue of B R Ambedkar was vandalised in Punjab, leading to protests and political condemnation. A pro-Khalistan leader has purportedly claimed responsibility, prompting an investigation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged TMC candidates and agents to remain vigilant at counting centres, alleging a 'game plan' by the BJP and the Election Commission to show the BJP taking an early lead.
A mob in Rajasthan's Banswara district torched and vandalised houses and vehicles after a youth was murdered, prompting police to deploy additional forces to maintain order.
The Chaurabasti area of Shivpur turned into a flashpoint of political violence on Thursday as supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly engaged in a violent face-off.
The Trinamool Congress government's massive defeat in West Bengal shows "deep anti-incumbency and unpopularity" as out of 35 ministers who contested the assembly elections, 22 have been defeated, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her constituency.
By asking Vijay to produce letters of majority support before inviting him to form the government, the governor risks overstepping established Constitutional principles, notes Harishchandra.
A statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar was desecrated in Vehalna village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, leading to heightened security measures and a police investigation.
A man in Kerala vandalised a restaurant and attacked staff after complaining about insufficient chicken in his fried rice order.
A statue of B R Ambedkar was vandalised in Loni, Ghaziabad, leading to protests and traffic disruption on the Delhi-Saharanpur Highway. Police have detained suspects and are investigating the incident.
A Delhi court has acquitted ten individuals accused in a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, citing the prosecution's failure to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges against them.
The murder of a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal has ignited post-election violence, raising concerns about political stability and the transition of power.
Thousands of people participated in a rally in Imphal to protest the recent bomb attack in Bishnupur district in which two children were killed. The rally was organised by Uripok Apunba Lup and Uripok Nupi Apunba Lup, an umbrella group of multiple local bodies of Uripok constituency.
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has announced the end of his association with the Trinamool Congress, alleging widespread corruption within the party and claiming he was denied a ticket for refusing to pay a substantial sum.
A momo stall in Delhi's Sultanpuri area was vandalised, and gunshots were allegedly fired in the air, reportedly due to a feud between two groups. Police are investigating the incident and have registered a case.
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced 47 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters to 10 years in prison for their involvement in vandalism and violence during a protest in May 2023.
'In West Bengal, the BJP's ideology of Hindutva will be customised to cater to the culture and the cultural imperatives of Bengalis.'
The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
