Political parties condemn panchayat poll related deaths in Bengal
Cutting across ideological lines, all parties in West Bengal on Saturday condemned the killing of nine people in various parts of the state as voting for the panchayat elections is underway. The opposition BJP and CPI(M) alleged that the State Election Commission (SEC) did not deploy the central forces as per the orders of the Calcutta High Court. The ruling TMC, which lost five of its supporters to poll violence, questioned the absence of central forces that have been brought in for the elections.
PM Modi lays foundation for infra development projects in poll-bound Telangana
The ongoing third decade of 21st century is a golden period which should be fully utilised and no part of the nation should lag behind in making faster progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. Amid a boycott by the ruling BRS in poll-bound Telangana, Modi laid foundation stone for several infrastructure development projects worth around Rs 6,100 crore during his visit to the southern state. Addressing the gathering at the event here, Modi said today the whole world was coming forward to invest in India. Today’s India is young and filled with lot of energy.
Cong leader seeks urgent hearing of HC to declare panchayat polls null and void
Congress leader Kaustav Bagchi said he made a representation to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court seeking an urgent hearing of a prayer seeking that Saturday’s panchayat elections in West Bengal be declared null and void on account of violence and killings. Six people were killed till noon since the panchayat polls started at 7 am and another three died in alleged poll-related violence since midnight in the state. Seeking constitution of a special bench for an urgent hearing on Saturday, Bagchi, who is also a lawyer, said he has made a representation to the Chief Justice.
