News for 'west bengal election watch'

Another BLO found dead in Bengal; work pressure alleged

Another BLO found dead in Bengal; work pressure alleged

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

A Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead in West Bengal's Bankura district, leading to allegations that work-related pressure from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may have been a factor. Political accusations have followed.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty50 Down on Strait of Hormuz Tensions, Weak Rupee

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty50 Down on Strait of Hormuz Tensions, Weak Rupee

Rediff.com5 May 2026

Indian equities on Dalal Street saw volatility as global market trends and weak rupee impacted investor sentiment. Track Sensex, Nifty50 movement and key market drivers for May 5, 2026.

Has Baazigar Modi Fired His Best Shot?

Has Baazigar Modi Fired His Best Shot?

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

What is missing in the BJP's armour is dominance over 50 percent of the electorate: Women. And this is a gamble Modi-Shah have indicated that they are willing to take, explains Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

According to official records, Kishor is enrolled as a voter in West Bengal at 121, Kalighat Road, the address of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Kolkata's Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which is Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's seat, he said.

SIR sets off reverse migration of 'illegal Bangladeshis' at Bengal border

SIR sets off reverse migration of 'illegal Bangladeshis' at Bengal border

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

The movement has taken the shape of an unusual reverse migration, which officials and they themselves link directly to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in West Bengal.

HC orders central forces for July 8 West Bengal panchayat polls

HC orders central forces for July 8 West Bengal panchayat polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

The court also left it to the discretion of the State Election Commission to take a call on extension of time for filing of nominations, refusing to consider a prayer in this regard.

AAP Accuses BJP Of Political Vendetta After ED Arrest Of Minister

AAP Accuses BJP Of Political Vendetta After ED Arrest Of Minister

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid and subsequent arrest of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora, calling it a politically motivated act by the BJP-led central government. AAP leaders allege the BJP is misusing central agencies to suppress opposition voices and destabilise the AAP government in Punjab.

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The INDIA bloc faces a significant challenge as the Congress and DMK part ways, raising questions about the alliance's future and unity.

EC cuts short campaign period in West Bengal

EC cuts short campaign period in West Bengal

Rediff.com15 May 2019

The EC also ordered the removal of Principal Secretary (Home) Atri Bhattacharya and Additional Director General, CID, Rajiv Kumar from their postings in West Bengal.

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Protests continue in Kolkata against attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari threatens a large-scale protest if the attacks are not stopped.

Violence mars West Bengal panchayat polls, 12 killed

Violence mars West Bengal panchayat polls, 12 killed

Rediff.com14 May 2018

The Centre has sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government on the circumstances leading to the violence.

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Modi's 'Bankim da' remark sparks fierce clash with Trinamool

Modi's 'Bankim da' remark sparks fierce clash with Trinamool

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

A political slugfest broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress on Monday after the latter accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting Bankim Chandra Chatterjee by calling him 'Bankim da', prompting a counter-attack from the saffron party, which accused West Bengal's ruling party of defiling the state's cultural legacy for a decade.

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Among major engagements in 2026 is the visit of the European Union leadership, chief guests at the Republic Day parade.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Inder Singh Parmar has sparked controversy by saying that social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a 'British agent' who started a 'vicious cycle of religious conversion', prompting the Trinamool Congress to call the remarks an insult to Bengal.

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Both Mr Modi and Amit Shah like Nabin because they know he will never answer back, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Ex-VP Dhankhar applies for MLA pension in Rajasthan

Ex-VP Dhankhar applies for MLA pension in Rajasthan

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

Dhankhar, who represented the Kishangarh Assembly constituency as a Congress MLA from 1993 to 1998, received pension as a former legislator until July 2019. It was discontinued after he was appointed the governor of West Bengal.

Now, Mamata calls for 'language movement' against BJP

Now, Mamata calls for 'language movement' against BJP

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Addressing a massive Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, Banerjee gave a clarion call to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2026 assembly elections and eventually oust it from power at the Centre, declaring, "If this linguistic profiling doesn't stop, our resistance movement will reach New Delhi."

Why Bangladesh cast a keen eye on Assam, West Bengal poll results

Why Bangladesh cast a keen eye on Assam, West Bengal poll results

Rediff.com3 Jun 2016

The elections in two eastern Indian states were keenly observed in Bangladesh for two major contentious issues, writes Prakash Bhandari from Dhaka.

Why BJP's Bengal debacle was good news for Shivraj Chouhan

Why BJP's Bengal debacle was good news for Shivraj Chouhan

Rediff.com27 May 2021

A BJP victory in the high-octane West Bengal election could have turned the fortunes in rival Kailash Vijayvargiya favour, reports Sandeep Kumar.

West Bengal records 79.70 pc poll in 2nd phase

West Bengal records 79.70 pc poll in 2nd phase

Rediff.com17 Apr 2016

West Bengal on Sunday recorded 79.70 per cent voting in the second phase of assembly polls in 56 constituencies.

Will Nitish Surprise Modi Or Vice Versa After Bihar Poll?

Will Nitish Surprise Modi Or Vice Versa After Bihar Poll?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The BJP's MoSha leadership are past masters in encouraging defections from their allies if it helped their party capture the chief minister's chair. In Bihar, they are not sure if JD-U MPs and MLAs would be willing to cross over to the BJP if the Nitish leadership came on top -- and the NDA crossed the halfway mark together, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

WB polls: All parties field criminal candidates

WB polls: All parties field criminal candidates

Rediff.com11 Apr 2011

All the major parties contesting the forthcoming elections in West Bengal have fielded candidates with criminal cases pending against them.Of the 253 candidates scrutinised by the West Bengal Election Watch so far, 49 are facing criminal charges. As many as 27 candidates have serious charges pending including murder, attempt to murder, theft and extortion. Ten Congress candidates face criminal charges. Both CPI-M and Bharatiya Janata Party have filed 8 such candidates.

Assembly elections 2021: The RESULTS

Assembly elections 2021: The RESULTS

Rediff.com3 May 2021

Mamata Banerjee fended off a spirited challenge by a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal with a landslide victory for her Trinamool Congress on Sunday for a third consecutive term and the saffron party and the Left Democratic Front were poised to form government again in Assam and Kerala respectively while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam stormed back to power in Tamil Nadu after a gap of 10 years.

Parties go on celebration spree, flouting COVID norms

Parties go on celebration spree, flouting COVID norms

Rediff.com2 May 2021

Coronavirus safety norms have gone for a toss as party supporters in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal crowd main roads to celebrate their leads in the state elections. The Election Commission banned all victory processions after counting of votes in states where assembly polls were held to check the spread of coronavirus.

BJP workers ransack Cong headquarters in Patna, Kolkata

BJP workers ransack Cong headquarters in Patna, Kolkata

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

Workers from the BJP and Congress clashed in Patna during a protest march organized by the BJP against the use of abusive language towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late mother. The protest turned violent, with stone pelting and vandalism reported. Police intervened to control the situation, and an investigation is underway.

'We Will Remove Modi From Delhi, BJP From Bihar'

'We Will Remove Modi From Delhi, BJP From Bihar'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

'Without our support Nitish Kumar wouldn't have become chief minister.' 'After the government was formed we became ministers, but our agenda remained the same: Amit Shah had promised reservation for Nishads.' 'He wouldn't listen, so we went to UP and contested 52 seats in the 2022 elections. He didn't like the idea of rebellion.' 'He saw that this man, coming from Bombay, is very sharp. He's made four MLAs now, tomorrow he'll make 40. A time will come when they will make it 125.' 'They bought our MLAs and ousted us from the government.'

Striking Bengal docs await govt response to email

Striking Bengal docs await govt response to email

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

The e-mail, detailing the points which were discussed and agreed upon between the two sides and also those which weren't, was sent as per the state's requirement based on which the government is expected to issue directives, the doctors said.

Mamata offers shelter to Bangladeshis amid violence

Mamata offers shelter to Bangladeshis amid violence

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

Banerjee also appealed to the people of West Bengal not to get provoked over matters concerning the current situation in Bangladesh.

MHA wants to know why additional troops needed in Bengal

MHA wants to know why additional troops needed in Bengal

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Monday sent a letter to the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) seeking details of the need for additional 485 companies of central forces, for which it has sent a requisition, an official said.

Phase 4: 76% polling in Bengal, Srinagar records highest turnout in decades

Phase 4: 76% polling in Bengal, Srinagar records highest turnout in decades

Rediff.com13 May 2024

A voter turnout of over 40 per cent was recorded till 1 pm on Monday in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 96 constituencies spread over 10 states and Union Territories amid incidents of violence in Andhra Pradesh and reports of poll boycott in some villages of Uttar Pradesh.

Key contests to watch for, from Rae Bareli to Thiruvananthapuram

Key contests to watch for, from Rae Bareli to Thiruvananthapuram

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

A number of high-profile electoral battles, starring veterans and debutants, formidable opponents and unlikely contestants, feature in Tuesday's outcome.

TMC sweeps Bengal rural polls with more than half the seats; BJP distant 2nd

TMC sweeps Bengal rural polls with more than half the seats; BJP distant 2nd

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The TMC has won in 34,560 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 705 seats, according to the SEC as of 11.30 am on Wednesday.

Bengal panchayat repolling peaceful, 67% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Bengal panchayat repolling peaceful, 67% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Rediff.com10 Jul 2023

The repolling started at 7 am amid tight security with four central forces personnel deployed in each booth, besides state police. Till 11 am, 10.9 per cent voter turnout was recorded.

Over 100 MPs, MLAs face hate speech cases: Report

Over 100 MPs, MLAs face hate speech cases: Report

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

In the last five years, 480 candidates with declared cases related to hate speech have contested elections to state assemblies, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the ADR said.

29 of 30 sitting CMs in India are crorepatis

29 of 30 sitting CMs in India are crorepatis

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

Twenty-nine of the 30 incumbent chief ministers are crorepatis with Andhra Pradesh's Jagan Mohan Reddy having the highest assets totalling Rs 510 crore, according to poll affidavits analysed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Faith trumps fear: Kin of stampede witness take holy dip at Kumbh

Faith trumps fear: Kin of stampede witness take holy dip at Kumbh

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Despite recent fatal stampedes at the Kumbh Mela and a Delhi railway station, pilgrims, driven by faith, continue to participate in the holy gathering in Prayagraj. Despite safety concerns, pilgrims from across India are undeterred by the tragedy and are taking the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.

'Mamata Should Have Done Something Else'

'Mamata Should Have Done Something Else'

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

'She could have sat down with the students and taken a list of their grievances including their allegations and suspicions.' 'Not all suspicions are true, but you have to listen, you have to let the steam come out.'