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Final phase of voting underway for 35 seats in West Bengal amid Covid-19 spike

The voting of the final phase of eight-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal began on Thursday amid spiralling cases of Covid-19. A total of 35 constituencies in Birbhum, Malda, Murshidabad, and Kolkata will exercise their franchise to elect their representatives from a total of 283 candidates.

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West Bengal final phase voting

The voting of the final phase of eight-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal began on Thursday amid spiralling cases of Covid-19. A total of 35 constituencies in Birbhum, Malda, Murshidabad, and Kolkata will exercise their franchise to elect their representatives from a total of 283 candidates.

The polling began at 7am in 11, 860 polling booths and will continue till 6:30 pm. The voting in 35 constituencies include 11 in Murshidabad, six constituencies of Malda, seven in Kolkata North and 11 in Birbhum. As many as 8,4,77,728 people are expected to cast their vote in the final phase of the election. 

In view of the violence in previous phases, the security measures in the last phase have been tightened. Around 641 companies of central forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair voting. Keeping in mind the Covid-19 norms, the voting began adhering to strict guidelines issued by the poll panel. The temperature of each voter will be checked, and they will be provided with gloves and sanitisers at the polling station, the Election Commission said.

To encourage the voters to exercise their votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, the last phase of the 2021 West Bengal elections takes place today. In line with the Covid-19 protocols, I call upon people to cast their vote and enrich the festival of democracy.

The voting, meanwhile, suffered a half-an-hour delay at polling booth number 188 in West Bengal’s Birbhum due to an EVM snag. The allegations by Trinamool Congress has once again surfaced claiming that the CRPF personnel are interfering in the voting process and threatening the voters.

Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty , who cast his vote at a polling station in Kashipur-Belgachia, North Kolkata, said he never voted so peacefully ever before and congratulated all the security personnel.

In the last phase of the West Bengal election,  the focus is largely on the 11 seats in the Birbhum district, and all eyes are on the Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal, a close aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Despite a series of controversies and allegations of political killings against Mondal, Banerjee has not let go of him. 

Read Also: Adar Poonawalla reduces Covishield price for states to Rs 300 from Rs 400 per dose

The voting for the last phase has begun amid a raging second wave of Covid-19, when West Bengal on Wednesday logged 17,207 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest-single day spike recorded in the state so far, pushing the tally to 7,93,552. The death toll in the state has mounted to 11,159 with 77 more fatalities which is also the maximum count in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the campaigning for the final phase was a low-key affair, as the EC has imposed curbs in the wake of Covid-19 cases in the state. It had increased the silence period to 72 hours, hence both BJP and TMC held virtual rallies to woo the voters.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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