<p>An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said.</p>

<p>There has been no report of any casualty, South 24 Parganas district magistrate Y&nbsp;Ratnakara Rao said.</p>

<p>"The incident happened on Monday morning. We are waiting for further details," the district magistrate said.</p>

<p>A team has been rushed to the spot to look into the incident, he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a>: An under-construction bridge collapsed on Kalnagini river at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district. No injuries reported till now. <a href="https://t.co/7PDm3xJsJ6">pic.twitter.com/7PDm3xJsJ6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044107545898434560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>This is the third incident of the bridge collapse in the state in September.</p>

<p>Majerhat Bridge in south Kolkata had collapsed on September 4, killing three persons and injuring 24.</p>

<p>On September 7, an old bridge had collapsed near Siliguri in north Bengal leaving a truck driver injured.&nbsp;</p>


An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said. There has been no report of any casualty, South 24 Parganas district magistrate Y Ratnakara Rao said.

An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said. There has been no report of any casualty, South 24 Parganas district magistrate Y Ratnakara Rao said. "The incident happened on Monday morning. We are waiting for further details," the district magistrate said. A team has been rushed to the spot to look into the incident, he said. #WestBengal: An under-construction bridge collapsed on Kalnagini river at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district. No injuries reported till now. pic.twitter.com/7PDm3xJsJ6 — ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2018 × This is the third incident of the bridge collapse in the state in September. Majerhat Bridge in south Kolkata had collapsed on September 4, killing three persons and injuring 24. On September 7, an old bridge had collapsed near Siliguri in north Bengal leaving a truck driver injured.

Video: Under-construction bridge collapses in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

<p>An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said.</p>

<p>The 120-metre bridge on Kalnagini river in the Sunderban region was scheduled to be inaugurated in 2021.</p>

<p>There has been no report of any casualty, District Magistrate Y Ratnakara Rao said.</p>

<p>"The work to clear the debris has started. The area has been cordoned off to stop people from going near the bridge," Rao said, adding that engineers were trying to ascertain the reason behind the collapse.</p>

<p>This was the third incident of bridge collapse in the state in September.</p>

<p>A portion of a bridge at Majerhat in south Kolkata had caved in on September 4, killing three persons and injuring more than 24.</p>

<p>On September 7, an old bridge had collapsed near Siliguri in north Bengal, leaving a truck driver injured.</p>

<p>Reacting to Monday's incident, Sunderban Development Minister Manturam Pakhira said the company that was constructing the bridge was to be blamed for its collapse.</p>

<p>"Girders were attached one after another to build the bridge. The interim concrete slabs are usually supported with temporary iron pillars for a certain period. But the iron support was removed, without consulting the department's engineers," Pakhira told reporters.</p>

<p>A district BJP leader claimed that the bridge collapsed because poor quality materials were used for its construction.</p>

<p>State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, during a press meet at the state secretariat, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will review the condition of bridges and flyovers in the state, including the ones under construction.</p>

<p>"Once she is back from her tour, she will seek opinion of experts on ways to overcome weakness in the structural pattern of the bridges and evaluate the experience of contractors entrusted with the job of building them," he said.</p>

<p>Banerjee is on a 12-day trip to Germany and Italy to attract investments to the state.</p>

<p>Asked about the Kakdwip incident, Chatterjee told reporters that it was "not a functioning one", without getting into details.</p>

<p>He, however, asserted that the government was taking the issue seriously and the CM had been regularly seeking updates about every development in the state from Italy.&nbsp;</p>


An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said. The 120-metre bridge on Kalnagini river in the Sunderban region was scheduled to be inaugurated in 2021.

An under-construction bridge collapsed in Kakdwip area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior official said. The 120-metre bridge on Kalnagini river in the Sunderban region was scheduled to be inaugurated in 2021. There has been no report of any casualty, District Magistrate Y Ratnakara Rao said. "The work to clear the debris has started. The area has been cordoned off to stop people from going near the bridge," Rao said, adding that engineers were trying to ascertain the reason behind the collapse. This was the third incident of bridge collapse in the state in September. A portion of a bridge at Majerhat in south Kolkata had caved in on September 4, killing three persons and injuring more than 24. On September 7, an old bridge had collapsed near Siliguri in north Bengal, leaving a truck driver injured. Reacting to Monday's incident, Sunderban Development Minister Manturam Pakhira said the company that was constructing the bridge was to be blamed for its collapse. "Girders were attached one after another to build the bridge. The interim concrete slabs are usually supported with temporary iron pillars for a certain period. But the iron support was removed, without consulting the department's engineers," Pakhira told reporters. A district BJP leader claimed that the bridge collapsed because poor quality materials were used for its construction. State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, during a press meet at the state secretariat, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will review the condition of bridges and flyovers in the state, including the ones under construction. "Once she is back from her tour, she will seek opinion of experts on ways to overcome weakness in the structural pattern of the bridges and evaluate the experience of contractors entrusted with the job of building them," he said. Banerjee is on a 12-day trip to Germany and Italy to attract investments to the state. Asked about the Kakdwip incident, Chatterjee told reporters that it was "not a functioning one", without getting into details. He, however, asserted that the government was taking the issue seriously and the CM had been regularly seeking updates about every development in the state from Italy.

Under-construction bridge collapses in Bengal

<p>According to reports, as many as eight people have died in West Bengal after being struck by lightning. 4 people died in Bankura, one each in East Midnapore, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly district respectively, ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, a young cricketer died on the field while practising after being struck by lightning. Kolkata and North Bengal districts have witnessed torrential rainfall over the last 48 hours.</p>

<p>The weather office has predicted more rainfall for Bengal, Sikkim and other North-Eastern states in days to come with the onset of monsoon.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">8 people have died in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> after being struck by lightening. (4 people died in Bankura, one each in East Midnapore, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts)</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006539313566412801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per reports, heavy rainfall in Kolkata region affected eastern zone servers owing to which railway reservation services took a hit.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heavy rain lashes parts of Kolkata. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/tV62CrK7y6">pic.twitter.com/tV62CrK7y6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006567171911135233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The weather office has predicted more rainfall for Bengal, Sikkim and other North-Eastern states in days to come with the onset of the monsoon

According to reports, as many as eight people have died in West Bengal after being struck by lightning. 4 people died in Bankura, one each in East Midnapore, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly district respectively, ANI reported. On Sunday, a young cricketer died on the field while practising after being struck by lightning. Kolkata and North Bengal districts have witnessed torrential rainfall over the last 48 hours. The weather office has predicted more rainfall for Bengal, Sikkim and other North-Eastern states in days to come with the onset of monsoon. 8 people have died in #WestBengal after being struck by lightening. (4 people died in Bankura, one each in East Midnapore, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts) — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × As per reports, heavy rainfall in Kolkata region affected eastern zone servers owing to which railway reservation services took a hit. Heavy rain lashes parts of Kolkata. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/tV62CrK7y6 — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 ×

Lightning kills at least 8 in West Bengal

<p>A host of IAS officials were&nbsptransferred on Wednesday to different posts in the state in a major reshuffle, a West Bengal government notification said.</p>

<p>Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Indever Pandey has been transferred to Environment department in the same rank with additional charge of disaster management.</p>

<p>Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, S Suresh Kumar has been transferred to Labour department.</p>

<p>Principal Secretary Sundarban Affairs, Ajit Ranjan Bardhan, has been asked to take over as Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the notification said.</p>

<p>Arnab Roy has been transferred from the post of Principal Secretary Environment to Principal Secretary, PWD.</p>

<p>Health and Family Welfare Secretary Binod Kumar have been asked to take over as Secretary of Sundarban Affairs department.</p>

<p>P Mohangandhi, DM Birbhum, will now take over as DM West Midnapore, replacing J P Meena, who will take over as DM Hooghly, it said.</p>

<p>Sanjay Bansal, DM Hooghly, will now take over as Director Land Revenue Service, West Bengal.</p>

<p>S K Dwivedi, DM South Dinajpur, has been asked to take over as Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare department.</p>

<p>Moumita Godara Basu, DM Bankura, has been asked to take over as DM Birbhum.</p>

<p>R A Ayesha, DM North Dinajpur, will take over as DM Jhargram replacing R Arjun, who will join as Joint Secretary, Tribal Development department.</p>

<p>Khalil Ahmed, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner, will get additional charge of Secretary, Fire and Emergency Services, the notification said.</p>


A host of IAS officials were transferred on Wednesday to different posts in West Bengal in a major reshuffle

A host of IAS officials were&nbsptransferred on Wednesday to different posts in the state in a major reshuffle, a West Bengal government notification said. Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Indever Pandey has been transferred to Environment department in the same rank with additional charge of disaster management. Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, S Suresh Kumar has been transferred to Labour department. Principal Secretary Sundarban Affairs, Ajit Ranjan Bardhan, has been asked to take over as Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the notification said. Arnab Roy has been transferred from the post of Principal Secretary Environment to Principal Secretary, PWD. Health and Family Welfare Secretary Binod Kumar have been asked to take over as Secretary of Sundarban Affairs department. P Mohangandhi, DM Birbhum, will now take over as DM West Midnapore, replacing J P Meena, who will take over as DM Hooghly, it said. Sanjay Bansal, DM Hooghly, will now take over as Director Land Revenue Service, West Bengal. S K Dwivedi, DM South Dinajpur, has been asked to take over as Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare department. Moumita Godara Basu, DM Bankura, has been asked to take over as DM Birbhum. R A Ayesha, DM North Dinajpur, will take over as DM Jhargram replacing R Arjun, who will join as Joint Secretary, Tribal Development department. Khalil Ahmed, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner, will get additional charge of Secretary, Fire and Emergency Services, the notification said.

IAS officers' reshuffle in West Bengal

<p>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced.</p>

<p>The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month.</p>

<p>The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal.</p>

<p>An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said.</p>

<p>Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member.</p>

<p>In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings.</p>

<p>The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.</p>


The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced. The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month. The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal. An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said. Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member. In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings. The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment seeks report from Bengal govt on Dalit killings

<p>The results of the&nbsp;autopsy conducted on the body of the BJP worker found hanging yesterday in West Bengal's Purulia district say he committed suicide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dulal Kumar was found hanging from an electricity tower on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His was the second body to be found hanging in quick succession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trilochan Mahto's body was found hanging, again in Purulia, from a tree on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We received postmortem reports, which states 'death due to asphyxia, hanging ante mortem and suicidal ingestion'," the new Purulia SP Akash Magharia said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're taking formal action. Other case (Trilochan Mahato) is heading in right direction too. State government has handed it over to CID," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former Purulia SP Joy Biswas was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-bjp-says-2-workers-killed-in-bengal-police-blame-personal-enmity-suicide-141794">transferred</a> on Saturday after the discovery of the two bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has blamed both deaths on Trinamool Congress cadres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Balarampur, where Kumar hailed from, was shut down for 12 hours today. The shutdown was called by the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We received postmortem reports, which states 'death due to asphyxia, hanging ante mortem&suicidal ingestion'. We're taking formal action. Other case (Trilochan Mahato) is heading in right direction too. State govt has handed it over to CID: Purulia SP Akash Magharia <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/P9EL7jAdWK">pic.twitter.com/P9EL7jAdWK</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003155821943873537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Purulia: Family of BJP worker Dulal Kumar refutes postmortem report citing suicide as the cause of his death, father (man without shirt) says, 'we are sure that he did not commit suicide, he was killed by TMC workers.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/cxPNLc8jOn">pic.twitter.com/cxPNLc8jOn</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1003249522036768768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kumar's family meanwhile has said they do not agree with the suicide report, and that they "are sure that he did not commit suicide, he was killed by TMC workers."</p>


Dulal Kumar was found hanging from an electricity tower on Saturday. The BJP has blamed his death and that of Trilochan Mahto, who was found hanging from a tree on Thursday, on TMC workers

The results of the autopsy conducted on the body of the BJP worker found hanging yesterday in West Bengal's Purulia district say he committed suicide. Dulal Kumar was found hanging from an electricity tower on Saturday. His was the second body to be found hanging in quick succession. Trilochan Mahto's body was found hanging, again in Purulia, from a tree on Thursday. "We received postmortem reports, which states 'death due to asphyxia, hanging ante mortem and suicidal ingestion'," the new Purulia SP Akash Magharia said. "We're taking formal action. Other case (Trilochan Mahato) is heading in right direction too. State government has handed it over to CID," he added. The former Purulia SP Joy Biswas was transferred on Saturday after the discovery of the two bodies. The BJP has blamed both deaths on Trinamool Congress cadres. Balarampur, where Kumar hailed from, was shut down for 12 hours today. The shutdown was called by the BJP. We received postmortem reports, which states 'death due to asphyxia, hanging ante mortem&suicidal ingestion'. We're taking formal action. Other case (Trilochan Mahato) is heading in right direction too. State govt has handed it over to CID: Purulia SP Akash Magharia #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/P9EL7jAdWK — ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2018 × Purulia: Family of BJP worker Dulal Kumar refutes postmortem report citing suicide as the cause of his death, father (man without shirt) says, 'we are sure that he did not commit suicide, he was killed by TMC workers.' #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/cxPNLc8jOn — ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2018 × Kumar's family meanwhile has said they do not agree with the suicide report, and that they "are sure that he did not commit suicide, he was killed by TMC workers."

Autopsy of BJP worker found hanging in Bengal says suicide

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/whatever-i-have-to-say-i-will-say-in-nagpur-pranab-mukherjee-on-accepting-rss-invite-141926">Whatever I have to say, I will say in Nagpur: Pranab Mukherjee on accepting RSS invite</a></p>

<p>Former President Pranab Mukherjee has responded to the criticism (and the many suggestions) he has got after accepting an invite to an RSS event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mukherjee has been invited to speak to swayamsevaks in Nagpur on June 7 at the concluding function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Tritiya Varsha Varg or third-year course.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swarajs-aircraft-goes-incommunicado-for-14-mins-en-route-to-mauritius--141934">En route to Mauritius, Sushma Swaraj's plane went incommunicado for 14 minutes</a></p>

<p>Mauritius air traffic control was given a serious scare Saturday when External Affaris Minister Sushma Swaraj's aircraft, flying in from Trivandrum, went incommunicado for about 14 minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj's Embraer ERJ135 jet took from Trivandrum at 4 pm and lost contact at around 4.44 pm.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/autopsy-of-bjp-worker-found-hanging-in-bengal-says-suicide-141953">Autopsy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/autopsy-of-bjp-worker-found-hanging-in-bengal-says-suicide-141953"> of BJP worker found hanging in Bengal says suicide</a></p>

<p>The autopsy conducted on the body of the BJP worker found hanging yesterday in West Bengal's Purulia district has indicated he committed suicide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dulal Kumar was found hanging from an electricity tower on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His was the second body to be found hanging in quick succession.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-a-year-of-keeping-quiet-kejriwal-renews-attacks-on-modi-141947">After a year of keeping quiet, Kejriwal renews attacks on Modi</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2017, following AAP's poor performance in Punjab and the BJP's sweep in Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal consciously decided to minimise his attacks on his bete-noire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He continued with the strategy for a little more than a year. But with the BJP suffering a string of electoral defeats and anti-incumbency sentiment slowly setting in against the BJP government at the Centre, Kejriwal has renewed his attacks on Modi with the same level of acerbity as before.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/swara-bhasker-told-off-by-pakistan-actress-for-calling-the-country-a-failing-state--141923">Swara </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/swara-bhasker-told-off-by-pakistan-actress-for-calling-the-country-a-failing-state--141923">Bhasker</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/swara-bhasker-told-off-by-pakistan-actress-for-calling-the-country-a-failing-state--141923"> calls Pakistan 'failing state'. Pak actress calls her 'failing human being'</a></p>

<p>Pakistani actress Urwa Hocane has responded to Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker calling Pakistan a 'failing state'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hocane, in her response, called Bhasker a 'failing human being'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhasker made her comment after her most recent film Veere Di Wedding was banned in Pakistan because of its "vulgar content".&nbsp;</p>


Whatever I have to say, I will say in Nagpur: Pranab Mukherjee on accepting RSS invite Former President Pranab Mukherjee has responded to the criticism (and the many suggestions) he has got after accepting an invite to an RSS event. Mukherjee has been invited to speak to swayamsevaks in Nagpur on June 7 at the concluding function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Tritiya Varsha Varg or third-year course. En route to Mauritius, Sushma Swaraj's plane went incommunicado for 14 minutes Mauritius air traffic control was given a serious scare Saturday when External Affaris Minister Sushma Swaraj's aircraft, flying in from Trivandrum, went incommunicado for about 14 minutes. Swaraj's Embraer ERJ135 jet took from Trivandrum at 4 pm and lost contact at around 4.44 pm. Autopsy of BJP worker found hanging in Bengal says suicide The autopsy conducted on the body of the BJP worker found hanging yesterday in West Bengal's Purulia district has indicated he committed suicide. Dulal Kumar was found hanging from an electricity tower on Saturday. His was the second body to be found hanging in quick succession. After a year of keeping quiet, Kejriwal renews attacks on Modi In 2017, following AAP's poor performance in Punjab and the BJP's sweep in Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal consciously decided to minimise his attacks on his bete-noire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He continued with the strategy for a little more than a year. But with the BJP suffering a string of electoral defeats and anti-incumbency sentiment slowly setting in against the BJP government at the Centre, Kejriwal has renewed his attacks on Modi with the same level of acerbity as before. Swara Bhasker calls Pakistan 'failing state'. Pak actress calls her 'failing human being' Pakistani actress Urwa Hocane has responded to Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker calling Pakistan a 'failing state'. Hocane, in her response, called Bhasker a 'failing human being'. Bhasker made her comment after her most recent film Veere Di Wedding was banned in Pakistan because of its "vulgar content".

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>West Bengal Police have blamed, prima facie, the deaths of the two men the BJP says were party workers on suicide and personal enmity.&nbsp</p>

<p>Both deaths took place in Bengal's Purulia district.&nbsp</p>

<p>The first body, of 20-year-old Trilochan Mahto, was found hanging from a tree on Thursday. On the front and back of his white T-shirt was written:&nbsp"This is for doing BJP politics from age 18. Been trying to kill you since the vote. Failed. Today you are dead."</p>

<p>The second body, of Dulal Kumar, was found hanging from an electric pole, on Saturday. &nbsp</p>

<p>"In preliminary investigation in first incident, it seems to be case of personal enmity. We've started investigating and we'll take proper action," said Purulia SP Joy Biswas.&nbsp</p>

<p>"Second incident seems to be case of suicide. Body sent for postmortem," he added.&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In preliminary investigation in 1st incident, it seems to be case of personal enmity. We've started investigating & we'll take proper action. 2nd incident, seems to be case of suicide. Body sent for postmortem: Joy Biswas,Purulia SP on bodies of 2 BJP workers found in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/k3aQH64c35">pic.twitter.com/k3aQH64c35</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1002849603249508352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">ADG के पूर्ण प्रयास के बाद भी आखिर<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> के पुरुलिया जिले में,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJP</a> कार्यकर्ता दुलाल की लाश भी<br />
सुबह टॉवर पर लटकी हुई मिली है!<br />
<br />
हम शर्मिंदा हैं!<br />
शायद प्रजातन्त्र भी शर्मिंदा है!! <a href="https://t.co/0IjlhwWctb">pic.twitter.com/0IjlhwWctb</a></p>
— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) <a href="https://twitter.com/KailashOnline/status/1002760954306678784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After Trilochan Mahato, Dulal Kumar, another BJP karyakarta’s body found hanging from a tower in Purulia... BJP did exceedingly well here winning all 9 gram panchayats and 2 zilla parishad seats in the block. Mamata Banerjee must be proud of her murderous hoodlums. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/n8Xq3C44KW">pic.twitter.com/n8Xq3C44KW</a></p>
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1002772782973968385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP however has been quick to blame the murders on the Trinamool Congress.&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The present TMC govt in West Bengal has surpassed the violent legacy of Communist rule. Entire BJP mourns this tragic loss & stands firmly with Trilochan Mahato’s family in this hour of grief. His sacrifice for organisation & ideology will not go in vain. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.</p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1001825007213973505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


The two men were found hanging from a tree and an electricity tower within 48 hours of each other

West Bengal Police have blamed, prima facie, the deaths of the two men the BJP says were party workers on suicide and personal enmity. Both deaths took place in Bengal's Purulia district. The first body, of 20-year-old Trilochan Mahto, was found hanging from a tree on Thursday. On the front and back of his white T-shirt was written: "This is for doing BJP politics from age 18. Been trying to kill you since the vote. Failed. Today you are dead." The second body, of Dulal Kumar, was found hanging from an electric pole, on Saturday. "In preliminary investigation in first incident, it seems to be case of personal enmity. We've started investigating and we'll take proper action," said Purulia SP Joy Biswas. "Second incident seems to be case of suicide. Body sent for postmortem," he added. In preliminary investigation in 1st incident, it seems to be case of personal enmity. We've started investigating & we'll take proper action. 2nd incident, seems to be case of suicide. Body sent for postmortem: Joy Biswas,Purulia SP on bodies of 2 BJP workers found in #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/k3aQH64c35 — ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2018 × ADG के पूर्ण प्रयास के बाद भी आखिर#WestBengal के पुरुलिया जिले में,#BJP कार्यकर्ता दुलाल की लाश भी सुबह टॉवर पर लटकी हुई मिली है! हम शर्मिंदा हैं! शायद प्रजातन्त्र भी शर्मिंदा है!! pic.twitter.com/0IjlhwWctb — Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) June 2, 2018 × After Trilochan Mahato, Dulal Kumar, another BJP karyakarta’s body found hanging from a tower in Purulia... BJP did exceedingly well here winning all 9 gram panchayats and 2 zilla parishad seats in the block. Mamata Banerjee must be proud of her murderous hoodlums. #SaveBengal pic.twitter.com/n8Xq3C44KW — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 2, 2018 × The BJP however has been quick to blame the murders on the Trinamool Congress. The present TMC govt in West Bengal has surpassed the violent legacy of Communist rule. Entire BJP mourns this tragic loss & stands firmly with Trilochan Mahato’s family in this hour of grief. His sacrifice for organisation & ideology will not go in vain. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2018 ×

After BJP says 2 workers killed in Bengal, police blame personal enmity, suicide

<p>At least nine persons died and at least 12 were injured in several districts of West Bengal due to incidents of a lightning strike and wall collapse because of heavy rainfall since Thursday evening, a state disaster management department official said.</p>

<p>While four persons were killed due to lightning strikes in Hooghly district, one from Birbhum district died the same way on Friday, he said.</p>

<p>One death each was reported from Purba Burdwan district's Katwa and Mangalkote because of wall collapse.</p>

<p>Lightning caused the deaths of one person each in Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts Friday, the official said.</p>

<p>"The injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals," he said.</p>


At least nine persons died and at least 12 were injured in several districts of West Bengal due to incidents of a lightning strike and wall collapse because of heavy rainfall since Thursday evening

At least nine persons died and at least 12 were injured in several districts of West Bengal due to incidents of a lightning strike and wall collapse because of heavy rainfall since Thursday evening, a state disaster management department official said. While four persons were killed due to lightning strikes in Hooghly district, one from Birbhum district died the same way on Friday, he said. One death each was reported from Purba Burdwan district's Katwa and Mangalkote because of wall collapse. Lightning caused the deaths of one person each in Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts Friday, the official said. "The injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals," he said.

9 dead, several injured in West Bengal due to lightning

<p>Veteran Communist leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy hailed CPI(M)-led LDF's victory in Chengannur Assembly bypoll in Kerala but said a "deeper introspection" is needed in West Bengal, where the Left is seen to be yielding political space to the BJP.</p>

<p>The CPI General Secretary termed the win in Kerala a "very good positive" response from the people, who reposed their confidence in the Left government.</p>

<p>"The victory margin (20,956 votes) is fantastic," Mr Reddy said.</p>

<p>The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF's Saji Cheriyan won the Chengannur seat, polling 67,303 votes. The Congress-led UDF candidate D Vijaykumar got 46,347 votes and BJP's P S Sreedharan Pillai came third with 35,270 votes.</p>

<p>"That's true," he said on perception that the BJP is gaining ground in West Bengal at the cost of the Left. "We need to do deeper introspection on this issue (in West Bengal)."</p>

<p>Like in some of the recent elections in West Bengal, the BJP pushed the CPI(M) to third spot in Maheshtala assembly bypoll, where the TMC emerged victorious.</p>


Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy termed the win in Kerala a "very good positive" response from the people, who reposed their confidence in the Left government.

Veteran Communist leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy hailed CPI(M)-led LDF's victory in Chengannur Assembly bypoll in Kerala but said a "deeper introspection" is needed in West Bengal, where the Left is seen to be yielding political space to the BJP. The CPI General Secretary termed the win in Kerala a "very good positive" response from the people, who reposed their confidence in the Left government. "The victory margin (20,956 votes) is fantastic," Mr Reddy said. The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF's Saji Cheriyan won the Chengannur seat, polling 67,303 votes. The Congress-led UDF candidate D Vijaykumar got 46,347 votes and BJP's P S Sreedharan Pillai came third with 35,270 votes. "That's true," he said on perception that the BJP is gaining ground in West Bengal at the cost of the Left. "We need to do deeper introspection on this issue (in West Bengal)." Like in some of the recent elections in West Bengal, the BJP pushed the CPI(M) to third spot in Maheshtala assembly bypoll, where the TMC emerged victorious.

Left needs 'deeper introspection' in West Bengal: CPI General Secretary

<p>Counting of votes began in&nbsp;10 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya, Punjab and Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>In a new twist, Congress' Miani D Shira won from&nbsp;Meghalaya's Ampati Assembly constituency as the grand old party emerged as the single largest party in the state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress candidate Miani D Shira wins Ampati seat in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meghalaya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meghalaya</a>. She is the daughter of Former CM and Congress leader Mukul Sangma <a href="https://t.co/fLkwk9SVrp">pic.twitter.com/fLkwk9SVrp</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1002111905098416128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress candidate Vishwajeet Patangrao Kadam was "elected unopposed" from Maharashtra's Palus Kadegaon Assembly constituency.</p>

<p>In the high profile Rajarajeshwari(RR) Nagar Assembly constituency in Karnataka, Congress candidate Muniratna beat his JD(S) and BJP rivals handsomely even as newly-elected Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy conceded defeat.</p>

<p>Muniratna won by 41,162 votes to upset the JD(S) and the BJP.</p>

<p>Lalu Prasad's party the Rashtriya Janta Dal(RJD) won the Jokihat Assembly constituency in Bihar even after&nbsp;JD(U) candidate Murshid Alam led in previous rounds.</p>

<p>Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party(SP) clinched the Noorpur Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh with Naim-ul-Hasan emerging victorious.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The number of votes JDU got, is less than our victory margin. People of Bihar are continuing to avenge the uturn taken by Nitish Kumar: Tejashwi Yadav on RJD won Jokihat assembly bypoll <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/ljVXanHJ06">pic.twitter.com/ljVXanHJ06</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1002091207068127232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a>: Congress workers celebrate in Bengaluru as Party leads from Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly constituency <a href="https://t.co/vmlBSkeToq">pic.twitter.com/vmlBSkeToq</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1002068603783397377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In other constituencies, CPM won the Chengannur Assembly constituency in Kerala. The&nbsp;Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) surprised the ruling BJP in the state to clinch the Jharkhand seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress candidate Laddi Sherowalia won from the Shahkot Assembly seat in Punjab.</p>

<p>TMC's Dulal Chandra Das is leading by over 20,000 votes from Maheshtala assembly constituency in West Bengal after the sixth round of counting with CPM second and BJP trailing in third spot.</p>


Congress' Miani D Shira won the Meghalaya's Ampati Assembly constituency early

Counting of votes began in 10 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya, Punjab and Uttarakhand. In a new twist, Congress' Miani D Shira won from Meghalaya's Ampati Assembly constituency as the grand old party emerged as the single largest party in the state. Congress candidate Miani D Shira wins Ampati seat in #Meghalaya. She is the daughter of Former CM and Congress leader Mukul Sangma pic.twitter.com/fLkwk9SVrp — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018 × Congress candidate Vishwajeet Patangrao Kadam was "elected unopposed" from Maharashtra's Palus Kadegaon Assembly constituency. In the high profile Rajarajeshwari(RR) Nagar Assembly constituency in Karnataka, Congress candidate Muniratna beat his JD(S) and BJP rivals handsomely even as newly-elected Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy conceded defeat. Muniratna won by 41,162 votes to upset the JD(S) and the BJP. Lalu Prasad's party the Rashtriya Janta Dal(RJD) won the Jokihat Assembly constituency in Bihar even after JD(U) candidate Murshid Alam led in previous rounds. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party(SP) clinched the Noorpur Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh with Naim-ul-Hasan emerging victorious. The number of votes JDU got, is less than our victory margin. People of Bihar are continuing to avenge the uturn taken by Nitish Kumar: Tejashwi Yadav on RJD won Jokihat assembly bypoll #Bihar pic.twitter.com/ljVXanHJ06 — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018 × #Karnataka: Congress workers celebrate in Bengaluru as Party leads from Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly constituency pic.twitter.com/vmlBSkeToq — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018 × In other constituencies, CPM won the Chengannur Assembly constituency in Kerala. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) surprised the ruling BJP in the state to clinch the Jharkhand seat. Congress candidate Laddi Sherowalia won from the Shahkot Assembly seat in Punjab. TMC's Dulal Chandra Das is leading by over 20,000 votes from Maheshtala assembly constituency in West Bengal after the sixth round of counting with CPM second and BJP trailing in third spot.

Assembly bypolls: Congress wins in Karnataka's RR Nagar; RJD wins Jokihat in Bihar

<p>The BJP on Friday claimed that it has been forced to relocate its over 3,000 panchayat members, who won in the recent local polls in West Bengal, due to "threats" from the ruling Trinamool Congress.</p>

<p>The BJP's general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is the party's state in-charge, alleged that TMC workers supported by local police have been threatening its elected members with dire consequences if they do not either join their party or resign.</p>

<p>"We have been forced to remove about 3,000 of our 6,000 members to different locations due to harassment from the TMC leaders," he said.</p>

<p>Vijayvargiya said his party has taken close to 1,000 panchayat members to neighbouring Jharkhand for safety.</p>

<p>He said these members will return to their villages only after their tenure begins after one-and-a-half months.</p>

<p>Attacking state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, he said she is projecting herself as a champion of democratic values, but her conduct has been far from it with over 60 murders and 1,500 injured in the elections.</p>

<p>"Talk of democracy does not behove her," he said.&nbsp</p>


Attacking state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader from West Bengal said she is projecting herself as a champion of democratic values, but her conduct has been far from it with over 60 murders and 1,500 injured in the elections

The BJP on Friday claimed that it has been forced to relocate its over 3,000 panchayat members, who won in the recent local polls in West Bengal, due to "threats" from the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP's general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is the party's state in-charge, alleged that TMC workers supported by local police have been threatening its elected members with dire consequences if they do not either join their party or resign. "We have been forced to remove about 3,000 of our 6,000 members to different locations due to harassment from the TMC leaders," he said. Vijayvargiya said his party has taken close to 1,000 panchayat members to neighbouring Jharkhand for safety. He said these members will return to their villages only after their tenure begins after one-and-a-half months. Attacking state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, he said she is projecting herself as a champion of democratic values, but her conduct has been far from it with over 60 murders and 1,500 injured in the elections. "Talk of democracy does not behove her," he said.

Relocated 3,000 panchayat members in WB due to 'threats': BJP

<p>The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am.</p>

<p>State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress.</p>

<p>The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said.</p>

<p>According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said.</p>

<p>The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats.</p>

<p>A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it.</p>

<p>The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file.</p>

<p>The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said.</p>

<p>The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said.</p>

<p>The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state.</p>

<p>The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each.</p>

<p>In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said.</p>

<p>In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account.</p>

<p>In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats.</p>

<p>The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said.</p>

<p>In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats.</p>

<p>In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats</p>

<p>In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats</p>

<p>In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34.</p>

<p>TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area.</p>

<p>Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes.</p>

<p>"We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official.</p>

<p>The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14.</p>

<p>Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats.</p>

<p>"Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said.</p>

<p>Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce".</p>

<p>The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>"People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.&nbsp</p>

<p>The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.&nbsp</p>


The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am

The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am. State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress. The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said. According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state. The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said. The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats. A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it. The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file. The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22. The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said. The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said. The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state. The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each. In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said. In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account. In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats. The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said. In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats. In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34. TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area. Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes. "We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official. The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14. Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats. "Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said. Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce". The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said. The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.

West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival

<p>The Trinamool Congress today accused the BJP of instigating unrest in West Bengal during the May 14 panchayat elections to create a situation favourable for imposing President's rule.</p>

<p>But the people of the state gave the BJP a befitting reply with their verdict in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress and its chief Mamata Banerjee, party's Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said.</p>

<p>Widespread violence during the single-phase panchayat polls had claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured.</p>

<p>"The BJP wanted to foment trouble during the panchayat polls in the state to create a situation favourable for imposing President's rule here. But it failed to achieve the target," Chatterjee, also a senior minister, said.</p>

<p>Almost 80 per cent of the seats in the three-tier panchayat system went to the Trinamool Congress, he said, adding that none of the BJP, the CPI(M) or the Congress had the power to create such a situation in the state.</p>

<p>Taking a dig at the CPI(M) and the Congress, he said both the opposition parties provided oxygen to the BJP in this election.</p>

<p>"The Congress handed over its flag to the BJP, while workers from both the CPI(M) and the Congress joined the saffron party. It is most unfortunate," he said.</p>

<p>"This election has exposed the BJP's understanding with the CPI(M) and the Congress. I feel pity for the two parties. They have been reduced to ordinary parties securing only third and fourth positions respectively," Chatterjee said.</p>

<p>He said the massive mandate had enhanced the TMC's responsibility and "peace has to be maintained to take forward the development process".</p>

<p>On the BJP faring comparatively better in Purulia and Jhargram districts, Chatterjee said, "We are examining the results of both the districts bordering Jharkhand."</p>


Widespread violence during the single-phase panchayat polls had claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured.

The Trinamool Congress today accused the BJP of instigating unrest in West Bengal during the May 14 panchayat elections to create a situation favourable for imposing President's rule. But the people of the state gave the BJP a befitting reply with their verdict in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress and its chief Mamata Banerjee, party's Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said. Widespread violence during the single-phase panchayat polls had claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. "The BJP wanted to foment trouble during the panchayat polls in the state to create a situation favourable for imposing President's rule here. But it failed to achieve the target," Chatterjee, also a senior minister, said. Almost 80 per cent of the seats in the three-tier panchayat system went to the Trinamool Congress, he said, adding that none of the BJP, the CPI(M) or the Congress had the power to create such a situation in the state. Taking a dig at the CPI(M) and the Congress, he said both the opposition parties provided oxygen to the BJP in this election. "The Congress handed over its flag to the BJP, while workers from both the CPI(M) and the Congress joined the saffron party. It is most unfortunate," he said. "This election has exposed the BJP's understanding with the CPI(M) and the Congress. I feel pity for the two parties. They have been reduced to ordinary parties securing only third and fourth positions respectively," Chatterjee said. He said the massive mandate had enhanced the TMC's responsibility and "peace has to be maintained to take forward the development process". On the BJP faring comparatively better in Purulia and Jhargram districts, Chatterjee said, "We are examining the results of both the districts bordering Jharkhand."

BJP sought to create situation fit for President rule in West Bengal: TMC

<p>Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Widespread violence was reported during panchayat polls in the state that left at least 12 people dead and 43 wounded. Voting turnout in the panchayat.</p>

<p>Voting, which began at 7 am, will end at 5 pm.</p>

<p>The booths, where re-polling is taking place, include 63 in Murshidabad, 52 in Coochbehar, 28 in West Midnapore and 10 in Hooghly among others.</p>

<p>The State Election Commission had ordered the re-poll, following complaints of violence during the polls on Monday.</p>

<p>The poll panel has asked the state government and the police to make elaborate security arrangements so that polling can be held in a free and fair manner.</p>

<p>The counting of votes will be held on May 17.</p>

<p>The panchayat elections in West Bengal saw huge-scale clashes on Monday between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, resulting in the death of at least 12 people.</p>

<p>The Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and other parties of the Left Front also staged a protest outside State Election Commission in Kolkata against the incidents of violence.</p>

<p>Taking note of the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs also sought a report from the state government regarding incidents of violence during Panchayat Election in the state.</p>

<p>The voting took place for 621 zilla parishads, over six thousand panchayat samitis, and nearly 31 thousand gram panchayats.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The State Election Commission had ordered the re-poll, following complaints of violence during the polls on Monday.

Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said. Widespread violence was reported during panchayat polls in the state that left at least 12 people dead and 43 wounded. Voting turnout in the panchayat. Voting, which began at 7 am, will end at 5 pm. The booths, where re-polling is taking place, include 63 in Murshidabad, 52 in Coochbehar, 28 in West Midnapore and 10 in Hooghly among others. The State Election Commission had ordered the re-poll, following complaints of violence during the polls on Monday. The poll panel has asked the state government and the police to make elaborate security arrangements so that polling can be held in a free and fair manner. The counting of votes will be held on May 17. The panchayat elections in West Bengal saw huge-scale clashes on Monday between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, resulting in the death of at least 12 people. The Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and other parties of the Left Front also staged a protest outside State Election Commission in Kolkata against the incidents of violence. Taking note of the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs also sought a report from the state government regarding incidents of violence during Panchayat Election in the state. The voting took place for 621 zilla parishads, over six thousand panchayat samitis, and nearly 31 thousand gram panchayats. (With inputs from ANI)

West Bengal panchayat elections: Repolling in 568 booths underway amid tight security

<p>Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections.</p>

<p>This adds to the long list of violent incidents that have erupted in the ongoing polls in the state, with at least 12 people have lost their lives so far.</p>

<p>Earlier today, incidents of bombing and attacks with sharp weapons surfaced in Murshidabad, resulting in two Trinamool Congress workers sustaining injuries. Following the incident, allegations were levelled against the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) for jointly attacking the TMC.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua also brandish a gun. The person who shot the video claimed that he was later threatened by the miscreants <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/9t2wdUuGI9">pic.twitter.com/9t2wdUuGI9</a></p>
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<p>In Uttar Dinajpur district's Goalpokhar, the police officials baton-charged on people, exercising a crowd-control measure, as they were agitating following delay in the voting process.</p>

<p>Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua, also brandish a gun. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/kPlE2MqWfN">pic.twitter.com/kPlE2MqWfN</a></p>
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<p>Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Repolling has been ordered in 10 booths in Hooghly, 28 booths in West Midnapore, 52 booths in Coochbehar, 63 booths in Murshidabad, 60 booths in Nadia, 59 booths in North 24 Parganas, 55 booths in Malda, 73 booths in Uttar Dinajpur, 26 in South 24 Parganas, among others.</p>


Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today.

Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections. This adds to the long list of violent incidents that have erupted in the ongoing polls in the state, with at least 12 people have lost their lives so far. Earlier today, incidents of bombing and attacks with sharp weapons surfaced in Murshidabad, resulting in two Trinamool Congress workers sustaining injuries. Following the incident, allegations were levelled against the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) for jointly attacking the TMC. #WATCH: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua also brandish a gun. The person who shot the video claimed that he was later threatened by the miscreants #PanchayatElections #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/9t2wdUuGI9 — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × In Uttar Dinajpur district's Goalpokhar, the police officials baton-charged on people, exercising a crowd-control measure, as they were agitating following delay in the voting process. Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. West Bengal: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua, also brandish a gun. #PanchayatElections pic.twitter.com/kPlE2MqWfN — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said. Repolling has been ordered in 10 booths in Hooghly, 28 booths in West Midnapore, 52 booths in Coochbehar, 63 booths in Murshidabad, 60 booths in Nadia, 59 booths in North 24 Parganas, 55 booths in Malda, 73 booths in Uttar Dinajpur, 26 in South 24 Parganas, among others.

Watch: WB panchayat polls — Ballot box looted at gunpoint in Malda

<p>Dust storms and thunderstorms wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the national capital, killing 53 people and leaving behind a trail of destruction.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of the hail and thunderstorm that left 39 people dead, while nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, four in West Bengal and one in Delhi, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Monday.</p>

<p>It added that 53 people were injured in UP, 11 in Delhi and one in West Bengal</p>

<p>At several places in north India including Delhi, high-velocity winds uprooted trees and affected road, rail and air services.</p>

<p>According to the India Meteorological Department, thunderstorms also occurred at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya,</p>

<p>Maharashtara, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu today.</p>

<p>In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Saddened by the loss of lives due to storms in some parts of the country. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Condoling the deaths, Congress President Rahul Gandhi in a tweet asked party workers to provide all assistance to the bereaved families.</p>

<p>Sunday's devastation came over 10 days after storms hit UP, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing 134 people and injuring over 400. UP was the worst affected, accounting for 80 deaths, most of them in Agra district in the western part of the state.</p>

<p>Subsequently on May 9, several parts of Uttar Pradesh were struck by a severe storm that left 18 dead and 27 others injured.<br />
<br />
At least 18 people were killed and 28 injured in hail and thunderstorm that pummelled parts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said.</p>

<p>Five people were killed in Kasganj, three in Bulandshahr and two each in Ghaziabad and Saharanpur. One person each died in Etawah, Aligarh, Kannauj, Hapur, Noida and Sambhal, Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.</p>

<p>A squall and dust storm with a wind speed of up to 109 kmph battered Delhi and neighbouring areas today, killing two persons and injuring 18 others, and throwing flight, rail and metro operations out of gear.</p>

<p>In West Bengal, at least 12 people, including four children, were killed and over 15 injured in lightning strike amid heavy rain, an official of the state disaster management department said.</p>

<p>Five deaths were reported from Howrah district, while two deaths each from West Midnapore, North 24-Parganas and Nadia districts and one from Murshidabad district.</p>

<p>In Andhra Pradesh, nine persons were killed in lightning strikes.</p>

<p>While seven persons were killed in Srikakulam district alone, two more were killed in Kadapa, officials said.</p>

<p>Various parts of the southern state witnessed rain, accompanied by gales.</p>

<p>In Delhi, the sky turned dark grey around 4:30 pm. Gusty winds and rain lashed the national capital, causing the temperature to drop to 25.2 degrees Celsius.</p>

<p>The much-needed reprieve came after a sweltering day, when the maximum temperature had reached 40.60 degrees Celsius, a notch above the normal. Humidity during the morning hours was recorded at 60 per cent, a MeT official said.</p>

<p>The officials said two squalls whipped through the national capital. One clocking 109 kmph hit the Safdarjung area at 4:44 pm and continued till 4:46 pm. The other gusting to 96 kmph battered the Palam area at 4:33 pm.</p>

<p>The strong winds knocked down nearly 200 trees in the city. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from Najafgarh, Transit Camp, Nehru Place, Mohan Garden in Uttam Nagar and Raj Nagar in Palam, said a senior officer of the Delhi Fire Service.</p>

<p>A man was crushed to death in a wall collapse, while a woman was killed when a tree uprooted and fell on her, the police said.</p>

<p>Traffic in many areas moved at a snail's pace due to the reduced visibility.</p>

<p>The inclement weather interrupted the launch of a 140 kWp rooftop solar plant at IP Extension attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.</p>

<p>Operations at the Delhi airport came to a halt due to the dust storm. At least 40 flights were diverted and more than 24 delayed, an official said.</p>

<p>Metro operations were affected at a number of stations on the Violet and Blue lines after trees fell on overhead electricity (OHE) wires.</p>

<p>The Northern Railways said the train movement was disrupted on the section between the Hazrat Nizamuddin and Palwal stations due to tree felling.</p>

<p>A few passenger and freight trains were held up for around 25 minutes because of the disruption. The Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express was also stopped near Sonepat due to uprooting of trees.</p>

<p>According to MeT department officials, the Safdarjung Observatory gauged 8.3 mm of rainfall. The Palam, Aya Nagar and Lodhi Road areas recorded 0.8, 6.4 and 2.1 mm of precipitation.</p>

<p>The weatherman forecast partly cloudy skies and light rainfall tomorrow.</p>

<p>K Sathi Devi, the head of the National Weather Forecasting Centre, said two western disturbances had led to the inclement weather.</p>

<p>"A cloud mass passed over Delhi. The extreme weather not only affected Delhi Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Jind in Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh,? said G P Sharma, President (Meteorology) Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency.</p>

<p>The winds continued to gust to 70 kmph even after the cloud mass passed over Delhi.</p>

<p>Sharma and Devi warned of similar weather conditions tomorrow.</p>

<p>Thunderstorm and dust storm with winds speeds of up to 70 km per hour are "very likely" tomorrow in 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh, the weather office warned.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of a thunderstorm and hail that left 39 people dead, while nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, four in West Bengal and one in Delhi

Dust storms and thunderstorms wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the national capital, killing 53 people and leaving behind a trail of destruction. Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of the hail and thunderstorm that left 39 people dead, while nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, four in West Bengal and one in Delhi, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Monday. It added that 53 people were injured in UP, 11 in Delhi and one in West Bengal At several places in north India including Delhi, high-velocity winds uprooted trees and affected road, rail and air services. According to the India Meteorological Department, thunderstorms also occurred at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Maharashtara, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu today. In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Saddened by the loss of lives due to storms in some parts of the country. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured." Condoling the deaths, Congress President Rahul Gandhi in a tweet asked party workers to provide all assistance to the bereaved families. Sunday's devastation came over 10 days after storms hit UP, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing 134 people and injuring over 400. UP was the worst affected, accounting for 80 deaths, most of them in Agra district in the western part of the state. Subsequently on May 9, several parts of Uttar Pradesh were struck by a severe storm that left 18 dead and 27 others injured. At least 18 people were killed and 28 injured in hail and thunderstorm that pummelled parts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said. Five people were killed in Kasganj, three in Bulandshahr and two each in Ghaziabad and Saharanpur. One person each died in Etawah, Aligarh, Kannauj, Hapur, Noida and Sambhal, Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said. A squall and dust storm with a wind speed of up to 109 kmph battered Delhi and neighbouring areas today, killing two persons and injuring 18 others, and throwing flight, rail and metro operations out of gear. In West Bengal, at least 12 people, including four children, were killed and over 15 injured in lightning strike amid heavy rain, an official of the state disaster management department said. Five deaths were reported from Howrah district, while two deaths each from West Midnapore, North 24-Parganas and Nadia districts and one from Murshidabad district. In Andhra Pradesh, nine persons were killed in lightning strikes. While seven persons were killed in Srikakulam district alone, two more were killed in Kadapa, officials said. Various parts of the southern state witnessed rain, accompanied by gales. In Delhi, the sky turned dark grey around 4:30 pm. Gusty winds and rain lashed the national capital, causing the temperature to drop to 25.2 degrees Celsius. The much-needed reprieve came after a sweltering day, when the maximum temperature had reached 40.60 degrees Celsius, a notch above the normal. Humidity during the morning hours was recorded at 60 per cent, a MeT official said. The officials said two squalls whipped through the national capital. One clocking 109 kmph hit the Safdarjung area at 4:44 pm and continued till 4:46 pm. The other gusting to 96 kmph battered the Palam area at 4:33 pm. The strong winds knocked down nearly 200 trees in the city. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from Najafgarh, Transit Camp, Nehru Place, Mohan Garden in Uttam Nagar and Raj Nagar in Palam, said a senior officer of the Delhi Fire Service. A man was crushed to death in a wall collapse, while a woman was killed when a tree uprooted and fell on her, the police said. Traffic in many areas moved at a snail's pace due to the reduced visibility. The inclement weather interrupted the launch of a 140 kWp rooftop solar plant at IP Extension attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Operations at the Delhi airport came to a halt due to the dust storm. At least 40 flights were diverted and more than 24 delayed, an official said. Metro operations were affected at a number of stations on the Violet and Blue lines after trees fell on overhead electricity (OHE) wires. The Northern Railways said the train movement was disrupted on the section between the Hazrat Nizamuddin and Palwal stations due to tree felling. A few passenger and freight trains were held up for around 25 minutes because of the disruption. The Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express was also stopped near Sonepat due to uprooting of trees. According to MeT department officials, the Safdarjung Observatory gauged 8.3 mm of rainfall. The Palam, Aya Nagar and Lodhi Road areas recorded 0.8, 6.4 and 2.1 mm of precipitation. The weatherman forecast partly cloudy skies and light rainfall tomorrow. K Sathi Devi, the head of the National Weather Forecasting Centre, said two western disturbances had led to the inclement weather. "A cloud mass passed over Delhi. The extreme weather not only affected Delhi Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Jind in Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh,? said G P Sharma, President (Meteorology) Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency. The winds continued to gust to 70 kmph even after the cloud mass passed over Delhi. Sharma and Devi warned of similar weather conditions tomorrow. Thunderstorm and dust storm with winds speeds of up to 70 km per hour are "very likely" tomorrow in 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh, the weather office warned.

53 dead after thunderstorms wreak havoc in four states

<p>West Bengal registered a total voter turnout of 73 per cent&nbsp;on Monday amid widespread violence during the panchayat polls.</p>

<p>However, the voting per cent may go up as many voters were still waiting to cast their votes.</p>

<p>The violence that erupted during the polls claimed the lives of eight people while injuring 43 others.</p>

<p>The areas affected by the violence were North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Burdwan, Nadia, Murshidabad and South Dinajpur districts.</p>

<p>The clashes erupted between the members of Trinamool Congress and opposition members. The protesters attacked the supporters of opposition parties and even targetted the booths with crude bombs.</p>

<p>The violence in the state broke out despite the deployment of over 60,000 security personnel.</p>

<p>The opposition parties accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of conducting a reign of terror and destroying democracy.</p>

<p>CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said,&nbsp;"First they didn't allow people to file nominations. Second after filing nominations, TMC started threatening the candidates to withdraw. The people who didn't withdraw were attacked. This is nothing but a complete destruction of democratic process,".</p>

<p>The TMC, on the other&nbsp;hand, responded to the opposition claims by saying that the violence caused this year was far less compared to the previous rule of the left.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Derek O'Brien said on Twitter " To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ?"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ?</p>
— Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/derekobrienmp/status/995911770052050944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


TMC leader Derek O'Brien said on Twitter 'To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ?'

West Bengal registered a total voter turnout of 73 per cent on Monday amid widespread violence during the panchayat polls. However, the voting per cent may go up as many voters were still waiting to cast their votes. The violence that erupted during the polls claimed the lives of eight people while injuring 43 others. The areas affected by the violence were North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Burdwan, Nadia, Murshidabad and South Dinajpur districts. The clashes erupted between the members of Trinamool Congress and opposition members. The protesters attacked the supporters of opposition parties and even targetted the booths with crude bombs. The violence in the state broke out despite the deployment of over 60,000 security personnel. The opposition parties accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of conducting a reign of terror and destroying democracy. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, "First they didn't allow people to file nominations. Second after filing nominations, TMC started threatening the candidates to withdraw. The people who didn't withdraw were attacked. This is nothing but a complete destruction of democratic process,". The TMC, on the other hand, responded to the opposition claims by saying that the violence caused this year was far less compared to the previous rule of the left. Derek O'Brien said on Twitter " To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ?" To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ? — Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) May 14, 2018 ×

West Bengal panchayat polls: 73% voter turnout registered amid clashes

<p>According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the death toll in several North&nbspIndian&nbspstates due to thunderstorm and lightning&nbsphas risen to 80.</p>

<p>The deaths were reported from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttrakhand.</p>

<p>The devastation was caused by the high-velocity wind that struck parts of north India on the intervening night of May 13-14. The thunder&nbsphad also disrupted road, rail and air services last evening.</p>

<p>The Ministry of External Affairs&nbspstated, "As per information received from UP, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi & Uttarakhand 80 lives have been lost (UP-51, Andhra-12, WB-14, Delhi-2, Uttarakhand-1) due to lightning/thunderstorm during intervening night of 13-14 May, 136 people were injured"&nbsp&nbsp</p>

<p>The devastation had come 12 days after storms hit Uttar Pradesh (UP), Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing 134 people and injuring over 400.&nbsp</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


The deaths were reported from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttrakhand

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the death toll in several North&nbspIndian&nbspstates due to thunderstorm and lightning&nbsphas risen to 80. The deaths were reported from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttrakhand. The devastation was caused by the high-velocity wind that struck parts of north India on the intervening night of May 13-14. The thunder&nbsphad also disrupted road, rail and air services last evening. The Ministry of External Affairs&nbspstated, "As per information received from UP, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi & Uttarakhand 80 lives have been lost (UP-51, Andhra-12, WB-14, Delhi-2, Uttarakhand-1) due to lightning/thunderstorm during intervening night of 13-14 May, 136 people were injured" The devastation had come 12 days after storms hit Uttar Pradesh (UP), Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing 134 people and injuring over 400.

Death toll due to thunderstorm, lightning rises to 80

<p>Massive violence has been reported from West Bengal, where panchayat elections are being held today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that a TMC worker named Arif Gazi was shot dead in the Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district.</p>

<p>ANI added that a BJP candidate from Bilkanda was injured in a&nbsp;knife attack, allegedly by TMC workers. ANI identified the BJP candidate as Raju Biswas and said he is undergoing treatment at Panihati State General Hospital.</p>

<p>At least 20 people were injured in a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas.</p>

<p>And five local journalists were injured in violence following booth capturing in Birpara, allegedly by TMC workers.</p>

<p>In another incident, a CPM worker and his wife were charred to death in North 24 Parganas after their house was allegedly burnt down on Sunday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission meanwhile reported a 56% voter turnout till 3 pm.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995975141887651840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The elections are being held after a series of court cases and reports of foul play by workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, a record 34 per cent seats has been won unopposed by the Trinamool Congress, but the Supreme Court stayed the notification of the results.</p>

<p>The court said elections have to be held "in absolute fairness".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB: Babul Supriyo, Union Min on violence in various during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/ElEr4OSbaf">pic.twitter.com/ElEr4OSbaf</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995927330366226433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There are minor incidents taking place, no major incidents have been reported. Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists: Partha Chatterjee, TMC <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/SXwjExlQRH">pic.twitter.com/SXwjExlQRH</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995930017505820672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As many as 20 people were injured in fresh clashes which broke out between two groups here in Cooch Behar on Monday morning, amid the ongoing panchayat polls in the state.</p>

<p>As per a local, a number of individuals had gone to cast their vote at a polling station here, when they were attacked with sticks by a group of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Subsequently, the injured were admitted to MJN Hospital for treatment.</p>

<p>"A group of us had gone to cast our vote at a polling booth. We were attacked by a group of TMC workers with lathis (sticks)," an injured local told ANI.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Sujit Kumar Das was slapped by West Bengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh at Cooch Behar`s booth no. 8/12 in the presence of police.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: On being identified, BJP supporter Sujit Kumar Das, was slapped by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh (in purple kurta) at Cooch Behar's booth no. 8/12 in presence of Police. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/9S2gyAoNQt">pic.twitter.com/9S2gyAoNQt</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995884416554577920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Incidents of violence were also reported from Bhangar, where a media vehicle was torched and a camera broken, after which media was prohibited from entering the area.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Alleged TMC workers barring voters from entering Booth No. 14/79 in Birpara. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/S3OR83QfHp">pic.twitter.com/S3OR83QfHp</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995874967714590720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Furthermore, Bhangar locals blocked the roads, alleging that TMC workers were capturing the polling booth.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Road blocked by locals in Bhangar. They allege TMC workers of capturing the booth. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a>. <a href="https://t.co/4KyJ8WWXgR">pic.twitter.com/4KyJ8WWXgR</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995884423651381248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>On the other hand, a TMC worker, Anarul Mita, suffered bullet injuries in an attack in Cooch Behar`s Dinhata on late Sunday night, after which he was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition.</p>

<p>The Trinamool Congress was quick to respond to the allegations of violence by its workers. It blamed a section of the media for biased reporting:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why is <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ANI</a> spreading rumours and amplifying a few, sporadic, local incidents? We learn that local ANI reporters and stringers getting direct instructions from their bosses in Delhi to shame <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengal</a>. Agenda driven news-gathering: Derek O'Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a></p>
— AITC (@AITCofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AITCofficial/status/995932119229644802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The victim has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are behind the attack. On a related note, the voting, which began at 7 a.m. on Monday morning, will continue till 5 p.m. in 621 zilla parishads, 6157 panchayat samitis, and 31,827 gram panchayats. The counting will take place on May 17.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In a joint operation, troops of CRPF's 193 Battalion & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jharkhand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jharkhand</a> Police recovered 482 gelatin sticks, 889 detonators, wires etc in Eats Singhbhum's Digri. <a href="https://t.co/zYCf4JprIz">pic.twitter.com/zYCf4JprIz</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995882377699250176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


News reports said at least four people had been killed and scores, including journalists, injured in violence

Massive violence has been reported from West Bengal, where panchayat elections are being held today. ANI reported that a TMC worker named Arif Gazi was shot dead in the Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district. ANI added that a BJP candidate from Bilkanda was injured in a knife attack, allegedly by TMC workers. ANI identified the BJP candidate as Raju Biswas and said he is undergoing treatment at Panihati State General Hospital. At least 20 people were injured in a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas. And five local journalists were injured in violence following booth capturing in Birpara, allegedly by TMC workers. In another incident, a CPM worker and his wife were charred to death in North 24 Parganas after their house was allegedly burnt down on Sunday night. The Election Commission meanwhile reported a 56% voter turnout till 3 pm. Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal #PanchayatElection — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × The elections are being held after a series of court cases and reports of foul play by workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Earlier, a record 34 per cent seats has been won unopposed by the Trinamool Congress, but the Supreme Court stayed the notification of the results. The court said elections have to be held "in absolute fairness". Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB: Babul Supriyo, Union Min on violence in various during #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/ElEr4OSbaf — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × There are minor incidents taking place, no major incidents have been reported. Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists: Partha Chatterjee, TMC #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/SXwjExlQRH — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × As many as 20 people were injured in fresh clashes which broke out between two groups here in Cooch Behar on Monday morning, amid the ongoing panchayat polls in the state. As per a local, a number of individuals had gone to cast their vote at a polling station here, when they were attacked with sticks by a group of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Subsequently, the injured were admitted to MJN Hospital for treatment. "A group of us had gone to cast our vote at a polling booth. We were attacked by a group of TMC workers with lathis (sticks)," an injured local told ANI. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Sujit Kumar Das was slapped by West Bengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh at Cooch Behar`s booth no. 8/12 in the presence of police. #WATCH: On being identified, BJP supporter Sujit Kumar Das, was slapped by #WestBengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh (in purple kurta) at Cooch Behar's booth no. 8/12 in presence of Police. #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/9S2gyAoNQt — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Incidents of violence were also reported from Bhangar, where a media vehicle was torched and a camera broken, after which media was prohibited from entering the area. #WATCH: Alleged TMC workers barring voters from entering Booth No. 14/79 in Birpara. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections pic.twitter.com/S3OR83QfHp — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Furthermore, Bhangar locals blocked the roads, alleging that TMC workers were capturing the polling booth. #WATCH: Road blocked by locals in Bhangar. They allege TMC workers of capturing the booth. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections. pic.twitter.com/4KyJ8WWXgR — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × On the other hand, a TMC worker, Anarul Mita, suffered bullet injuries in an attack in Cooch Behar`s Dinhata on late Sunday night, after which he was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. The Trinamool Congress was quick to respond to the allegations of violence by its workers. It blamed a section of the media for biased reporting: Why is @ANI spreading rumours and amplifying a few, sporadic, local incidents? We learn that local ANI reporters and stringers getting direct instructions from their bosses in Delhi to shame #Bengal. Agenda driven news-gathering: Derek O'Brien #PanchayatElection — AITC (@AITCofficial) May 14, 2018 × The victim has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are behind the attack. On a related note, the voting, which began at 7 a.m. on Monday morning, will continue till 5 p.m. in 621 zilla parishads, 6157 panchayat samitis, and 31,827 gram panchayats. The counting will take place on May 17. In a joint operation, troops of CRPF's 193 Battalion & #Jharkhand Police recovered 482 gelatin sticks, 889 detonators, wires etc in Eats Singhbhum's Digri. pic.twitter.com/zYCf4JprIz — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × (With inputs from ANI)

West Bengal panchayat polls: 56% polling recorded amid massive violence

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose.</p>

<p>Banerjee, who had founded the ruling Trinamool Congress back in the late nineties to eject the Left parties from the driving seat in Bengal, made the startling revelation in an interview to a Bengali television channel Zee 24 Ghanta'.</p>

<p>"I have come to know that a conspiracy is on to kill me. A political party has given supari (contract) for eliminating me. The contract killers, who have already received an advance, did a recce of my office and residence, as also other nearby places," Banerjee said.&nbsp</p>

<p>Complaining that she was the victim of a barrage of insults and character assassination daily, Banerjee said the conspirators had hatched a plan to first assassinate her character and then eliminate her physically.</p>

<p>The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.</p>


The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose. Banerjee, who had founded the ruling Trinamool Congress back in the late nineties to eject the Left parties from the driving seat in Bengal, made the startling revelation in an interview to a Bengali television channel Zee 24 Ghanta'. "I have come to know that a conspiracy is on to kill me. A political party has given supari (contract) for eliminating me. The contract killers, who have already received an advance, did a recce of my office and residence, as also other nearby places," Banerjee said. Complaining that she was the victim of a barrage of insults and character assassination daily, Banerjee said the conspirators had hatched a plan to first assassinate her character and then eliminate her physically. The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.

Conspiracy afoot to get me assassinated: Mamata Banerjee

<p>PM Modi is set to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on May 25 in West Bengal at the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhawan in Shantiniketan.</p>

<p>The Bhawan will enclose a collection of books published in Bangladesh and will also include a museum to showcase the country's fight for freedom from West Pakistan.</p>

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also expected to attend the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi will also attend the convocation ceremony of Visva-Bharati University. This would be PM Modi's first visit to the university after assuming its " acharya" or chancellor.</p>

<p>The University recognises the PM of the nation as its chancellor while the President as its "paridarshaka" (visitor), who appoints the vice-chancellor.</p>

<p>"We received the confirmation from the respective offices of both the countries today. The prime minister will give away degrees to students during the convocation of Visva-Bharati University, while he along with Hasina will be present during the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhawan," &nbsp;officiating vice-chancellor of Visva-Bharati University, Sabujkali Sen said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Bhawan will enclose a collection of books published in Bangladesh and will also include a museum to showcase the country's fight for freedom from West Pakistan

PM Modi is set to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on May 25 in West Bengal at the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhawan in Shantiniketan. The Bhawan will enclose a collection of books published in Bangladesh and will also include a museum to showcase the country's fight for freedom from West Pakistan. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also expected to attend the event. Modi will also attend the convocation ceremony of Visva-Bharati University. This would be PM Modi's first visit to the university after assuming its " acharya" or chancellor. The University recognises the PM of the nation as its chancellor while the President as its "paridarshaka" (visitor), who appoints the vice-chancellor. "We received the confirmation from the respective offices of both the countries today. The prime minister will give away degrees to students during the convocation of Visva-Bharati University, while he along with Hasina will be present during the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhawan," officiating vice-chancellor of Visva-Bharati University, Sabujkali Sen said.

PM Modi, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate 'Bangladesh Bhawan' in West Bengal

<p>The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal won several seats in the three-tier panchayat polls today, after the State Election Commission (SEC) released the list of uncontested seats.</p>

<p>The SEC released the list after the last day for withdrawal of candidature -- April 28.</p>

<p>According to SEC sources, of the 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 16,814 were uncontested and of the 9,217 seats in 341 panchayat samitis, 3,059 were uncontested.</p>

<p>In the 20 zilla parishads, 203 of the 825 seats were uncontested, they said.</p>

<p>The election to the remaining seats will be held on May 14.</p>

<p>The TMC had filed 1,000 nominations for the zilla parishads, followed by the BJP with 782. The CPI(M) and the Congress had filed 537 and 407 nominations respectively.</p>

<p>There were 134 withdrawals in the TMC camp, followed by the BJP with 153 withdrawals, the CPI(M) with 79 and the Congress with 54.</p>

<p>For the panchayat samitis, the TMC had filed 12,590 nominations, the BJP 6,149, the CPI(M) 4,400 and the Congress 1,740, the sources said.</p>

<p>Of these, there were 2,407 withdrawals by the TMC, 931 by the BJP, 558 by the CPI(M) and 301 by the Congress.</p>

<p>For the gram panchayats, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC had filed 58,978 nominations, the BJP 27,935, the CPI(M) 17,319 and the Congress 7,313, the sources said.</p>

<p>There were 7,033 withdrawals by the TMC, 4,490 by the BJP, 2,490 by the CPI(M)and 1,383 by the Congress, they added.</p>

<p>The TMC had filed more nominations than the number of seats in all the three tiers.</p>

<p>"There are many aspirants for party tickets. So many people have filed nominations. The TMC's symbol will be allotted to only those who have been asked by the party to contest," a senior TMC leader said.</p>

<p>The party leadership termed the victory in the uncontested seats a victory of the masses.</p>

<p>State BJP president Dilip Ghosh alleged that due to the "unprecedented reign of terror" unleashed by the TMC, the opposition candidates could "neither file nominations nor were they allowed to contest".</p>

<p>"Our candidates were threatened with dire consequences if they did not withdraw, so some of them had to give in," he said.</p>

<p>Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged that the TMC had turned the polls into a "farce".&nbsp</p>


According to SEC sources, of the 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 16,814 were uncontested and of the 9,217 seats in 341 panchayat samitis, 3,059 were uncontested.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal won several seats in the three-tier panchayat polls today, after the State Election Commission (SEC) released the list of uncontested seats. The SEC released the list after the last day for withdrawal of candidature -- April 28. According to SEC sources, of the 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 16,814 were uncontested and of the 9,217 seats in 341 panchayat samitis, 3,059 were uncontested. In the 20 zilla parishads, 203 of the 825 seats were uncontested, they said. The election to the remaining seats will be held on May 14. The TMC had filed 1,000 nominations for the zilla parishads, followed by the BJP with 782. The CPI(M) and the Congress had filed 537 and 407 nominations respectively. There were 134 withdrawals in the TMC camp, followed by the BJP with 153 withdrawals, the CPI(M) with 79 and the Congress with 54. For the panchayat samitis, the TMC had filed 12,590 nominations, the BJP 6,149, the CPI(M) 4,400 and the Congress 1,740, the sources said. Of these, there were 2,407 withdrawals by the TMC, 931 by the BJP, 558 by the CPI(M) and 301 by the Congress. For the gram panchayats, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC had filed 58,978 nominations, the BJP 27,935, the CPI(M) 17,319 and the Congress 7,313, the sources said. There were 7,033 withdrawals by the TMC, 4,490 by the BJP, 2,490 by the CPI(M)and 1,383 by the Congress, they added. The TMC had filed more nominations than the number of seats in all the three tiers. "There are many aspirants for party tickets. So many people have filed nominations. The TMC's symbol will be allotted to only those who have been asked by the party to contest," a senior TMC leader said. The party leadership termed the victory in the uncontested seats a victory of the masses. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh alleged that due to the "unprecedented reign of terror" unleashed by the TMC, the opposition candidates could "neither file nominations nor were they allowed to contest". "Our candidates were threatened with dire consequences if they did not withdraw, so some of them had to give in," he said. Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged that the TMC had turned the polls into a "farce".

West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC wins several seats uncontested

<p>Panchayat election in West Bengal will be held on a single day on May 14, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced today.</p>

<p>Earlier, the SEC had announced that the polling would be held in three phases on May 1, 2 and 5.</p>

<p>The polling had to be deferred after opposition parties moved courts alleging violence and intimidation by the ruling party during the nomination process.</p>

<p>"The panchayat election will be held on May 14," a spokesman of the SEC told newsmen here.</p>


The polling had to be deferred after opposition parties moved courts alleging violence and intimidation by the ruling party during the nomination process.

Panchayat election in West Bengal will be held on a single day on May 14, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced today. Earlier, the SEC had announced that the polling would be held in three phases on May 1, 2 and 5. The polling had to be deferred after opposition parties moved courts alleging violence and intimidation by the ruling party during the nomination process. "The panchayat election will be held on May 14," a spokesman of the SEC told newsmen here.

West Bengal panchayat poll on May 14: State Election Commission

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