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This story is from February 26, 2021

Mamata Banerjee: Is 8-phase polls in West Bengal as per suggestions of Modi, Shah?

Mamata Banerjee: Are poll dates in West Bengal as per suggestions of Modi, Shah?
Mamata Banerjee (ANI/Twitter)
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday questioned the Election Commission's rationale to coduct assembly elections in the state in 8 phases and wondered if the poll dates had been announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah.
"I respect the EC's decision, but why break-up the districts. South 24 Parganas is our stronghold, voting there will be held in 3 different phases.Has this been done as per suggestions of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," Mamata Banerjee said soon after the EC announced poll schedule for 4 states and the Union territory of Puducherry.

Addressing a press conference at her residence in Kalighat, Mamata Banerjee said the Election Commission should not look at the state "through the eyes of the saffron camp" -- a reference to the BJP.

"I have information from my sources that the poll dates are similar to the ones BJP wanted. Have the dates been announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah? The PM and the home minister cannot misuse their power for the state elections," she added.
"With all due respect to the Election Commission, I want to say that questions are being raised on why elections will be held in so many phases in Bengal while other states will be voting in one phase. If EC doesn't provide justice to the people, where will the people go," she said.


Voting in West Bengal will begin on March 27, with polling for 30 seats.
The second phase of West Bengal's assembly elections will be held on April 1 and will cover 30 constituencies.

The third phase will be on April 6 for 31 seats and the fourth on April 10 for 44 constituencies.
The fifth round of voting will be held on April 17 for 45 seats and the sixth for 43 seats on April 22.
The seventh and the eighth phases of voting will be held on April 26 for 36 seats and on April 29 for 35 seats respectively.
The Election Commission has also announced to appoint two special observers for West Bengal and a third can also be sent if required.
(With inputs from agencies)
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