West Bengal’s Bhabanipur by-election is turning into a high-stakes thriller for Mamata Banerjee. After 16 rounds of counting, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has taken a slender lead over the Chief Minister by only 563 votes. The microscopic margin underscores how fiercely the contest is unfolding in Banerjee’s perceived stronghold.
Early vote counting in the West Bengal assembly elections is giving BJP a significant lead, with reports of over 20 TMC ministers trailing in their constituencies. The pattern suggests a serious challenge to the ruling party, as multiple key leaders face tight contests. The Election Commission cautions that final results will take shape after further rounds of counting.
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Hours before West Bengal vote counting, thousands of VVPAT slips were reportedly found dumped on a road in North 24 Parganas, triggering a scuffle. The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a probe into the incident and later issued a clarification, seeking to address questions about the circumstances and implications for the counting process.
Kolkata Police have ordered a 60-day ban on large gatherings in the city’s central business district starting May 3. The restriction is set ahead of assembly election vote counting on May 4 and follows intelligence pointing to possible unrest. Officials say the move is meant to reduce risks and keep the election period secure in the busiest areas of the city.
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