Early turnout trends and a fresh BJP allegation over a “dummy EVM” set the tone for a high-stakes second phase of polling across Bengal’s key political battlegrounds.
Violence in Jagatdal days before polling prompts ECI to demand swift arrests, as security is stepped up across key constituencies in North 24 Parganas and Kolkata.
Former BJP leader and ex-MP Arjun Singh has skipped appearance at Jagaddal police station despite receiving a notice.
Yesterday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had commented that Arjun Singh is a “BJP MP and as an individual, for which party he wants to fight he has to decide”.
Local BJP leadership in Barrackpore claimed that Sanjoy, who had joined the saffron party a year ago, has since returned to Trinamul Congress.
Arjun had supported chief minister Mamata Banerjee for writing to the Prime minister to address the concerns of the workers of state jute industries.
The NIA has been told to present a report on the incident and related issues during the next hearing. Bombs exploded outside his Bhatpara house twice this month.
Two lobbies - consisting of the traditional BJP workers and the turncoats from other parties - confronted each other while organising for the rally.
Arjun Singh, BJP MP from Barrackpore, said that five TMC MPs might "submit their resignation anytime" and that Saugata Roy could also be one among them.
Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh was travelling to Hingalganj to visit the family of late BJP leader Rabindranath Mondal, who died at the SSK Hospital on Monday.
