Author: colorsnews.in

Kolkata, April 22 (IANS) West Bengal goes to the polls on Thursday, in the first of the two-phase high-stakes, tightly-policed Assembly election, where about 3.6 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in roughly 44,000 polling booths across 152 constituencies in 16 districts.

Though there has been a significant reduction in phases compared to earlier elections, the state is witnessing an unprecedented deployment of central security agencies with new and unique Election Commission measures aimed at the strict imposition of rules.

The poll schedule has been compressed to just two from eight phases in 2021 and six in 2016, where the first phase was divided into two days in the latter.

This time, a close contest is expected in at least 80 seats in this phase between the ruling Trinamool Congress and main challenger Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In some, a multi-cornered contest may be witnessed with the Left Front and Congress having parted ways and the entry of religion-based organisations.

The seats, going to polls on Thursday, are spread across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur.

There are 1,478 candidates in the fray.

Turnout patterns in minority‑dominated and tea‑garden areas, the functioning of super‑sensitive booths, and the poll body’s complaint channels will be immediate barometers of how the tightened arrangements play out.

The Trinamool faces the challenge of defending its 2021 dominance across a fragmented map where electoral roll revisions and concentrated security may alter turnout patterns.

The party will seek to retain the rural and minority‑dominated belts in this phase, which is crucial to its path to a majority.

The BJP, meanwhile, views this phase as an opportunity to consolidate gains in North Bengal, border districts, and key urban centres where a strong showing would sustain its narrative of a two‑front contest and put pressure on the ruling party.

The poll body has ensured a massive central security presence, comprising some 2,407 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies with over 2.4 lakh personnel. It is being termed unprecedented for a state not under extraordinary security laws.

Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been positioned around polling stations, and some 7,384 booths have been flagged as “super‑sensitive” or “critical”.

The sheer number of CAPF personnel marks a sharp escalation compared with past polls and has prompted debate about the optics and impact of such a presence.

The Election Commission has also introduced a dedicated toll‑free number 18003450008 and an email ID, wbfreeandfairpolls@gmail.com, for complaints; has expanded voter facilitation with Braille‑enabled EVMs, ramps, priority queues; and intensified observer deployment.

Its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list has been the centre of a political slugfest. The Trinamool Congress has alleged that the exercise was being undertaken to remove names from a particular community and those who support it. Such claims have also come from other non- BJP parties, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had initially launched a tirade ahead of the Bihar polls last year.

The opposition BJP has called the initiative an attempt at weeding out fake voters, claiming they comprise migrants from adjoining Bangladesh. Altogether, around 91 lakh names have been struck off the rolls while adding new voters and processing pending records – a change analysts say could reshape margins in tightly contested seats.

While most of these are names of voters who have died, shifted from the stated address, or reflected duplication, a new aspect called “logical discrepancy” has stirred controversy. It includes a mismatch in spellings of names, age difference with parents, among other things, that was determined using artificial intelligence.

Judicial officials are scrutinising appeals against such mismatches, where 126 of about 27 lakh names have been cleared for inclusion in the electors’ roll for the first phase at the time of writing. Appellate tribunals are hearing cases for the second phase now.

–IANS

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New Delhi/Bengaluru, April 22 (IANS) The Prasar Bharati has withdrawn its decision to shift the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre, and it will continue to function from Dharwad in line with the wishes and sentiments of the people of North Karnataka.

The move comes following a request by the Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi.

The Union Minister had urged the Centre to retain the popular Akashvani regional centre, which holds a strong connect with the people of North Karnataka, in Dharwad, the statement from Pralhad Joshi’s office said on Wednesday.

Earlier, the competent authority of Prasar Bharati had decided to shift the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre to Bengaluru.

The decision had triggered strong opposition from people across North Karnataka, who also submitted appeals to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

In response, Pralhad Joshi took up the matter with the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting that the Centre be retained in Dharwad.

He highlighted the significance, reach, and necessity of continuing the Akashvani centre in Dharwad.

Responding to Union Minister Joshi’s appeal, Ashwini Vaishnaw has now directed Prasar Bharati to continue operating the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre in Dharwad itself.

Pralhad Joshi has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on behalf of the people of North Karnataka.

Recently, Prasar Bharati had decided to shift the news broadcasting operations of the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre to Bengaluru.

The move, concerning a centre established in 1981, triggered widespread outrage across North Karnataka, with strong demands to withdraw the decision.

The Dharwad Akashvani centre, which began operations in 1981, has earned a deep connection with the people over the years. It aired its first news bulletin in the same year.

Since its inception, the news bulletin has had a duration of 10 minutes and continues to be broadcast daily at 7:05 a.m.

According to a survey conducted by the Audience Research Unit, the morning news bulletin still enjoys a significant listenership.

In addition, a five-minute district news bulletin is broadcast every Monday at 6:30 p.m.

The bulletins cover developmental programmes and cultural activities across districts, including Dharwad, Belagavi, Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Raichur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Vijayapura, and Yadgir.

Part-time correspondents from these districts prepare and send in their reports via email.

The competent authority said that the news bulletin from the Dharwad centre is being shifted to Bengaluru due to the increasing workload at the centre.

This move was seen as a step towards gradually weakening the centre.

The relocation was scheduled to take effect from May 15, 2026, and the Dharwad Regional Centre was instructed to make the necessary preparations.

Akashvani listeners and prominent personalities from North Karnataka region have raised concerns.

–IANS

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Chennai, April 22 (IANS) In a significant pre-election crackdown, officials have seized over Rs 2 crore in unaccounted cash from the Mylapore Assembly constituency, intensifying political tensions on the eve of polling in Tamil Nadu.

The seizure was carried out by flying squads deployed under the supervision of the Election Commission as part of heightened surveillance to curb electoral malpractices.

Authorities suspect that the cash was intended for distribution to voters, a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

An investigation has been launched to trace the source of the money and identify those involved in the alleged operation.

Officials indicated that documents recovered during the raid could provide crucial leads into the intended beneficiaries and distribution network.

The development comes amid a statewide crackdown on illegal inducements, with enforcement agencies stepping up monitoring across constituencies ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections.

Large-scale seizures of cash, liquor, and other materials have been reported in recent days, as officials attempt to ensure a level playing field.

Election authorities reiterated that strict vigilance would continue through polling day to guarantee free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a surge in international arrivals, with overseas Tamils returning in large numbers to cast their votes.

Chennai International Airport has reported a sharp increase in passenger traffic over the past few days, as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and expatriates arrive from regions including the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Tamil associations abroad have noted a growing enthusiasm among expatriates to participate in the electoral process. Many returning voters expressed a strong sense of civic duty, with some planning extended stays to reconnect with family and witness the election results before heading back overseas.

Officials at the airport described the current influx as one of the busiest travel periods in recent times, driven largely by election-related travel. The trend underscores a rising political awareness among the global Tamil diaspora and reflects their continued engagement with the democratic process in their home state.

With campaigning concluded and polling just hours away, authorities remain on high alert, balancing strict enforcement with logistical coordination to ensure smooth and peaceful voting across Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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Burhanpur, April 22 (IANS) A tragic and sensational incident has shaken Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district, where Vishwanath Patil — popularly known as Badu Patil — the younger brother of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gyaneshwar Patil, was found dead under mysterious circumstances, officials said on Wednesday.

His body was recovered from a well located on his farmland, sparking widespread shock and grief across the region.

According to police officials, Vishwanath Patil had gone missing earlier in the day, prompting his family to lodge a missing person report.

A search operation was immediately launched, during which his slippers were discovered near the farmland.

This discovery raised fears of a mishap, leading authorities to deploy divers to inspect the well in his native village of Boharda.

After nearly two hours of effort, the body was retrieved and later identified by family members as Vishwanath Patil.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “a heartbreaking loss for the Patil family and the people of Burhanpur”.

State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal also conveyed his condolences, saying, “The untimely demise of Vishwanath Patil has left us all shocked. We stand firmly with MP Gyaneshwar Patil and his family in this hour of grief.”

The police have registered a case of suspicious death and initiated a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

Senior officials confirmed that forensic teams have been deployed and statements from family members and locals are being recorded.

Police are treating this as a sensitive case and all angles are being examined, police officials said.

As news of the incident spread, large crowds gathered at the MP’s residence to offer condolences, reflecting the deep connection the Patil family holds in the region.

Vishwanath Patil, though not active in politics, was known locally for his involvement in agricultural activities and community affairs.

The sudden and mysterious nature of his death has left the district in mourning, with many demanding clarity on the circumstances.

For now, the police investigation continues, as Burhanpur grapples with the shock of losing a prominent figure from one of its most influential political families.

This incident has not only cast a shadow over the Patil household but also stirred emotions across the Khandwa Lok Sabha constituency, where the demand for answers remains strong.

–IANS

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New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally remarked that the alleged interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation had the effect of putting democracy “in peril”, observing that such actions cannot be brushed aside as a mere dispute between the state and the Union government.

A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N. V. Anjaria was hearing petitions filed by the ED seeking registration of a CBI FIR against Banerjee and senior West Bengal Police officials over alleged obstruction during search operations at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata.

During the hearing, the apex court expressed strong disapproval of the alleged conduct, remarking that a Chief Minister walking into the midst of an investigation could undermine democratic functioning.

“Any Chief Minister of any State walks in the midst of an inquiry or an investigation… you see, make the democracy in peril and then argue that it’s a dispute essentially between the State and Centre?” the Justice Mishra-led Bench orally observed.

It seemed unconvinced by the argument that the issue could be characterised as a federal dispute.

“This is not per se a dispute between the State and the Union. This is, per se, an act committed by an individual who happens to be the Chief Minister of a State, keeping the whole system and democracy in jeopardy,” it added.

Senior advocate Meneka Guruswamy, representing state police officials, questioned the maintainability of the ED’s plea under Article 32, contending that a writ petition is available only to individuals and not to government departments, and that the matter should instead be pursued under Article 131 as an inter-governmental dispute.

She also described the case as raising a “unique proposition of law”.

However, the bench remained unconvinced, observing that merely raising a question of law does not justify referring every matter to a larger Bench.

“In every petition, there will be some question of law. That does not mean every Article 32 petition is referred to a five-judge bench,” the apex court said.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the West Bengal government, contended that the ED cannot seek relief under Article 32 on the ground of violation of fundamental rights.

The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions arising out of allegations by the ED that its officials were obstructed during searches conducted earlier this year. The federal anti-money laundering agency has sought directions for registration of FIRs and transfer of the probe to the CBI.

In an order passed on January 15, the Supreme Court had stayed the FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officials in connection with the searches, and had also directed the preservation of CCTV footage and other digital storage devices containing recordings of the searched premises and the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, in her counter-affidavit, Chief Minister Banerjee has denied all allegations of interference and obstruction, asserting that her limited presence on the premises was solely to retrieve confidential and proprietary data belonging to her Trinamool Congress.

According to the affidavit, CM Banerjee visited Pratik Jain’s residence at Loudon Street and I-PAC’s office in Bidhannagar on January 8, 2026, after receiving information that sensitive political data of Trinamool was being accessed during the searches.

She maintained that the data was “vitally linked to the AITC’s strategy for the upcoming Legislative Assembly election”.

The affidavit stated that when she reached the premises, she “politely requested the officials of the Enforcement Directorate to be allowed to retrieve the Party’s data and the devices they were stored in and files containing prints of the same”.

It further claimed that “the officers of the Enforcement Directorate present thereat did not object to this request and permitted her to retrieve some of these devices and physical files”.

“After she had done so, the Answering Respondent (CM Banerjee) left the premises so as not to inconvenience the officials of the Enforcement Directorate in any way,” the counter affidavit said, adding that the ED’s own ‘panchnamas’ record that the searches continued thereafter and were conducted “peacefully and in an orderly manner”.

CM Banerjee has also argued that neither the Trinamool nor its officials are accused in the alleged coal scam, and therefore, the ED cannot claim any right to the party’s proprietary data.

The counter affidavit has further accused the ED of acting with mala fide intent, alleging that the searches were carried out in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and after a prolonged period of inaction.

It has questioned the timing of the operations, claiming they coincided with I-PAC possessing “critical documents”, including a proposed list of candidates for the upcoming polls.

Alleging violations of statutory safeguards under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the affidavit also states that the ED failed to produce any audio or video recordings of the searches. This, it claimed, raises a “strong presumption” that the searches were clandestine and aimed at accessing confidential political data.

–IANS

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