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Drawing a cricket analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in the first four phases of the assembly polls that the BJP has already completed its century and the TMC is on course to being wiped out.
"In the four-phase election, the conscious people of Bengal hit so many fours and sixes that the seats of BJP have become centuries. Those who were thinking of playing with you have become very well with them," PM Modi said.
Union Minister Amit Shah has accused Mamata Banerjee of instigating the violence that led to five deaths in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.
Addressing a public gathering in Basirhat Dakshin, Shah said: "Earlier, Didi (Mamata) encouraged youngsters and women in Sitalkuchi to come forward and gherao Central Armed Police Forces. You said and left on your wheelchair. But because of you, 4 people died there. On the same morning, a BJP worker also died in the constituency."
Appealing people to give Mamata a befitting farewell, he said, "Didi is repeatedly saying Amit Shah must resign. Didi when people will ask me to resign then I will. But you must prepare as you will have to resign on May 2."
"I have come here to make one request. Didi has ruled for 10 years. Would it look good to give her a small farewell? So you should give her a farewell by giving 200 seats to BJP."
Highlighting the corruption in the state, Amit Shah said: "Right now, three laws are in operation under Didi's rule in Bengal. There is a law for nephew, under which there is no provision for punishment. The second law is for intruders, which again has no punishment. The third law is for the common people, for which all the punishments are reserved."
"By resorting to appeasement and vote bank politics even in death, Mamata has further lowered the politics of Bengal.
Union Minister Amit Shah has said that the elections in West Bengal have been conducted peacefully so far barring the one incident in Sitalkuchi.
"I promise that after BJP comes to power here political and poll-related violence will end in Bengal," Amit Shah said.
"Mamata Banerjee condoled only four people. She didn't shed a single tear for Anand Burman because he belonged to a Rajvanshi community. He wasn’t fit for her appeasement politics. This type of politics is not the culture of Bengal."
"Mamata Banerjee still has time to condole the fifth killing (Anand Burman) and apologise to the people of Bengal for her speech," he added.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee tore into the Election Commission and the BJP in her campaign rally in Jalpaiguri.
She said, "They (BJP-ruled Centre) know they have lost in 4 phases (of Assembly polls) so now they are using guns. We will take revenge for these bullets in form of ballots."
"I am a Royal Bengal Tiger. They didn't let me go (to Cooch Behar). I talked to them (families of deceased in firing incident) over video call sitting in Siliguri."
"It's an incompetent govt with incompetent PM & HM. They're coming here daily to capture Bengal. You are welcome, nobody has stopped you. But make people happy rather than threatening them. You get people killed by central forces and later issue them a clean chit," she said.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has lashed out at the Election Commission over the firing incidents in Cooch Behar district during the fourth phase of polling in West Bengal which claimed four lives.
The Election Commission had late Saturday evening barred all politicians from entering the Cooch Behar district following the violence.
On Sunday morning, Mamata took to Twitter to state that the "Election Commission should rename MCC (Model Code of Conduct) as Modi Code of Conduct!"
She further said, "BJP can use all its might but nothing in this world can stop me from being with my people and sharing their pain. They can restrict me from visiting my brothers and sisters in Cooch Behar for 3 days but I will be there on the fourth day!"
Heavy polling despite incidents of violence. 76.16% polling so far in West Bengal Phase 4.
At 5 pm, West Bengal has registered approximately 76.16% voting.
At 3 pm, West Bengal has registered 65.14% voting.
Sourav Ganguly cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Shashibhusan Janakalyan Vidyapith, Behala, South 24 Paraganas on Saturday.
"Four of our innocent workers have been killed on instructions of Amit Shah. We will take out protest march tomorrow at several locations and all of us will wear black badges. We still don’t know the names of those who fired at our workers," said Subrata Mukherjee.
Didi does not preside over destiny of people of Bengal, they are not your 'jagir' (fiefdom): PM Modi at poll rally
The Election Commission Saturday adjourned voting in PS 125 of Sitalkurchi seat in Cooch Behar after a clash between political workers and subsequent firing allegedly by CISF officers led to the death of four people.
The Commission sought detailed reports from Observers and CEO by 5 pm.
Violence marred polls in Coochbehar with five dead in two separate incidents. While a first time voter was shot dead by miscreants in Sitalkuchi in the morning while four persons died just before noon.As alleged four persons died when central forces were forced to fire after they were attacked.
33.98% voter turnout recorded till 11:30 am amid violence.
Four shot dead in in Sitalkuchi in Bengal's Cooch Behar district amid clashes between TMC and BJP workers.
PTI quoting police sources says the four were killed when CISF allegedly opened fire after coming under attack.
A first-time voter was shot dead by unidentified persons outside a polling booth in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday, police said, reported PTI.
The Trinamool Congress alleged that the BJP was behind the killing, while the saffron party claimed that the deceased was its polling agent at the booth and accused the ruling party.
The youth, identified as Anand Burman, was dragged outside polling booth number 85 in Pathantuli area of Sitalkuchi while voting was underway and shot dead, a police officer said.
Clashes broke out in Pathartuli area in Sitalkuchi area between TMC and BJP workers. Police resorted to lathicharge and CAPF personnel were deployed. EC officials reached the booth in Pathartuli as voters were unable to vote
In Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi, a first time voter was shot to death by a miscreant while he was standing in queue.
15.85% voter turnout recorded till 9am in 44 seats where polling is underway for fourth phase of the West Bengal elections.
Voting trends at 1645 hours
First Cooch Behar, then Howrah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at yet another election campaign rally.
Here are highlights of what he said:
* "Didi, o didi, people of Bengal believed in you and you broke their trust. You broke the heart of the people of Bengal."
* Didi has accused you of taking money and selling your votes! Do you do this? Isn't this your insult? You must respond to this in the elections!
* "Sonar Bangla will be built by behaviour and a clean conscience, and with the right policy."
* "The truth of whatever Didi did to West Bengal has come out. This is why Didi is threatening people of West Bengal. Didi says 'Amra dekhe nebo', BJP says 'Amra Seva Korbo'. We are humbly asking for a chance to serve people."