Ravik Bhattacharya
Ravik Bhattacharya works in the Indian Express bureau in Kolkata. He tweets @raviklive
Articles By Ravik Bhattacharya
Violence mars polling in Bengal: Clashes on NH31; CPM candidate vehicle attacked
There have been reports of EVM malfunctioning causing delays at several places in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Raiganj constituencies.
Darjeeling: As Hills vote, Bimal Gurung’s abandoned home reminder of 2017 Gorkhaland shutdown
Gurung is presently absconding as the West Bengal police have slapped several cases on him, including those under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The First-time Voter Is Cong’s Campaign Face in Raiganj: Taking a break from London college, son campaigns for Deepa Dasmunshi
Priyadeep studies Philosophy, Political Science and Economics at Kings College and took a break to campaign for his mother. He will vote on April 18 when Raiganj goes to polls in the second phase, before leaving for UK.
In Raiganj, 89-year-old leads protest against poll violence
It all began in 2017 when Rani failed to cast her vote in the civic polls because of violence at the booth. On April 10, 2019, a day before the first phase of polling, her sons accompanied Rani sought permission to form a human chain in support of the constitutional right of citizens.
‘How can goons rob me of my democratic right to vote?’
This Lok Sabha polls, an 89-year-old has taken it upon herself to make sure that people can exercise their right to vote without fear in West Bengal’s Raiganj, which goes to polls on Thursday.
Lok Sabha polls 2019: In Raigunj, Daribhit incident becomes poll plank for BJP
In Raigunj, Daribhit incident becomes poll plank for BJP is the house of Tapas, which is now a BJP party office. The building bears a hoarding - Islampur 6 No. Mondol Daribhit Karyalay - and huge cutouts demanding CBI probe and justice for the two deaths.
Cooch Behar: ‘Educated, without jobs… voted to change situation,’ say voters
The enclaves include Poaturkuthi, Batrigach and Mashaldanga, which saw people exercise their voting rights in huge numbers. Voters, who have come from Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and are presently lodged at settlements camp in Dinhata, too participated in the polling process.
West Bengal Lok Sabha polls: TMC, BJP workers clash, complaints of EVM malfunction in Cooch Behar, Alipurduar
West Bengal is going to vote across seven phases from April 11 to May 19, the highest number of phases along with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This is the first time that the Lok Sabha election is being conducted in seven phases across the state.
Forces on their toes as Cooch Behar, Alipurduar hope for peaceful polls
“Forty-seven companies have been deployed in Cooch Behar. The remaining (36) are in Alipurduar. In Cooch Behar, 760 polling stations will have static posting of central forces,” Special Police Observer Vivek Dube told The Indian Express.
In Cooch Behar, BJP’s social media boss is 36-year-old shop owner who juggles 1,114 WhatsApp groups
According to Dipak Das, he was trained in social media by the BJP state IT cell in Kolkata. “I have even participated in a session chaired by party president Amit Shah in Howrah. He called us IT yodhas and gave us a list of dos and don’ts in social media,” he says.
Naxalbari: In the birthplace of Naxalism, new politics takes over the old
Naxalbari is part of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, where Trinamool Congress’s Amar Singh Rai is pitted against the BJP’s Raju Singh Bhist (who replaced sitting MP S S Ahluwalia).
North Bengal: Keen contest between rising BJP, TMC organisation heft
The first phase is also a contest between Mamata Banerjee’s development initiative in Coochbehar and Alipurduar, and her extensive campaigning and PM Modi's rhetoric on nationalism, the airstrikes and the NRC.
Lok Sabha polls: In Alipurduar, jobs, trafficking big issues as tea gardens close
The issue of closed tea gardens, and out-of-job workers, have been raised by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in campaign speeches
Voting on April 11, former enclave dwellers in Cooch Behar want land, jobs
Voting for the first time to choose a government at the Centre, the expectations of the residents of the area are high from both the state and central governments.
Didi now stands with people who want to break India: PM Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister said that unlike previous governments, the NDA government is taking on terrorists in their homes.
Didi losing political ground in Bengal, having sleepless nights, says PM Modi
“Didi is having sleepless nights now. Speed breaker Didi cannot sleep now. She is now realizing how it feels when the political ground beneath her feet shakes," said Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Coochbehar Rash mela ground.
PM Modi on AFSPA: Congress wants to remove shield for Army men
Referring to the Congress manifesto promise of changing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, he said the party wants to “remove the shield for Army men”.
Lok Sabha polls: Post-Wayanad, as rift widens, Congress, CPM may struggle to hold on to seats
West Bengal’s 42 seats will vote over seven phases between the first (April 11) and last (May 19). The ruling Trinamool currently holds 34 seats, and the BJP, with 2, is fighting hard.
Kailash Vijayvargiya: ‘Statements made by the Bengal CM are on the front pages of Pak newspapers’
In elections, there are no gold, silver and bronze medalists. There are only winners and losers. We have fielded candidates who can win, says Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Trinamool manifesto goes national: Kashmir, note-ban, GST and MGNREGA
In an indication of her effort to play a role in national politics after the elections, Mamata Banerjee Wednesday announced her party’s manifesto with focus primarily on issues of national importance.
