I am a Bengal tigress, will break but won't bend: Mamata Banerjee

BJP candidate Raju Banerjee's car allegedly attacked in North 24 Parganas

BJP candidate Raju Banerjee's car was allegedly attacked by goons on April 17 during the fifth phase of polls. He is the candidate from Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas. He has lodged a complaint with Election Commission. Fifth phase of pollings are underway for the 45 Assembly constituencies.

'BJP ruled states receiving preferential treatment of medical equipment', alleges Sonia Gandhi

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across India, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi alleged that BJP ruled states have been receiving preferential treatment in terms of medical equipment. "Some of our chief ministers told me that they were left with a few days of vaccines. They had no oxygen and they were running out of ventilators. But there has been a thundering silence on the part of the government. On the contrary, some other states of interests to the BJP have been receiving preferential treatment in terms of equipment etc," said Congress president.

Audiotape controversy: Mamata says her phone was tapped | Oneindia News

Creating a fresh controversy, the BJP had on Friday released an audiotape in which West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee can purportedly be heard proposing a rally with the bodies of the 5 firing victims of Cooch Behar. Mamata Banerjee has now alleged that her phone is being tapped. #Audiotape #Controversy #PhoneTapping

Watch: Mamata's alleged call on Bengal firing leaked by BJP, complaint to EC

BJP released a purported audio clip of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee speaking to Sitalkuchi nominee. BJP claimed that Mamata proposed a rally with bodies of Cooch Behar firing victims. A BJP delegation urged Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab to take note of the clip. BJP claimed such a move could lead to untoward situations in the state amid ongoing polls. Meanwhile, TMC has described the audio clip as 'bogus' and said no such conversation took place. Violence marred a Cooch Behar polling booth during the fourth round of voting on April 10. Four persons died near a booth in Sitalkuchi constituency of Cooch Behar district. Reports suggest central forces opened fire allegedly after coming under attack from locals. Incident took place after locals allegedly attempted to snatch rifles of central forces. Watch the full video for more details.

'Doing politics over dead bodies': PM Modi to CM Mamata on Cooch Behar killings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 17 slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on killing that took place in Cooch Behar. He said that doing politics on corpses is an old habit of CM Banerjee. PM Modi said, "Didi, how far will you go for vote bank? The truth is that Didi thought of her political benefit through those deaths. Doing politics on corpses is an old habit of Didi." "You might have listened to an audiotape over what happened in Cooch Behar. After the death of 5 people, Didi is doing politics. In this audiotape, Cooch Behar TMC leader is being told to hold a rally with the bodies of the 5 deceased," he added.

Assam prepared to meet any necessity for treatment of COVID-19: Health Dept

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) an annex hospital of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) witnessed a surge in consultation as the number of coronavirus cases rise in the state. "The government of Assam is ready with hospitals for the admission of the COVID patients. Initially, patients were admitted at Kalapahar hospital and subsequently will also start giving admissions to COVID positive patients as per the instructions of the higher authorities. We have 62 beds", says Dr Anupal Sharma, Additional Superintendent, MMCH.MMCH is one of the leading hospitals in the state which is an apex hospital of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH).

Hatred spreads wherever BJP, RSS go: Rahul Gandhi in Bengal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a pot shot at BJP by saying that wherever the party and its ideologue RSS go, hatred starts to intensify there. He said, "People of Assam say their history and culture are being attacked. Tamil Nadu and Bengal are facing the same thing." The fifth phase of assembly polls will be held in West Bengal on April 17.

Assam celebrates Rongali Bihu with precautions

The Assamese New Year -Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu began from April 14. Assam Government decided to allow celebrations this year, but with restrictions in public places. The festival will last for seven days and they are known as Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu Rongali or Bohag Bihu begins in mid-April and celebrations continue for several weeks, mainly concentrated on cultural functions. The Assam Government decided to allow Bihu celebrations with strict adherence to COVID appropriate behavior in public places.

Watch: Purported video of Sitalkuchi firing goes viral, TMC calls it 'genocide'

A purported video from Sitalkuchi in Bengal's Cooch Behar is doing rounds on social media. Four villagers had died in the area in an altercation with CRPF jawans during the fourth phase of polling. Ruling TMC said video vindicates its position that there was no provocation for CRPF to fire. TMC MP and spokesperson Derek O'Brien went on to dub it as cold-blooded genocide. The video shows many locals gathered in a field, while some are seen wielding sticks. In the viral video, some central force jawans can also be seen. Soon firing can be heard, though it is not clear who fired the shot. Video shows a ruckus erupt in the area after the shots are fired. Earlier, Cooch Behar SP had said there was rumour that police opened fire. Debasish Dhar had added that the rumour led locals to come out in large numbers. The SP had said that this led the Central forces to open fire in self defence.