A record 20 candidates with as many as 10 Independents will be contesting from Raiganj Parliamentary constituency that goes to polls in the second phase Lok Sabha elections on Friday. Due to higher number of candidates, all polling booths in Raiganj will have two Ballot Units to accommodate all the contesting candidates, said an official of Election Commission. “This time Raiganj constituency has a total of 20 candidates, out of whom 19 are men and one is woman. Due to higher number of candidates in frey, it was not possible to include all the names in one ballot unit hence two ballot units will be there for the voters to choose from total 20 candidates,” said the EC official.

BJP candidate lodges complaint against BJP MLA in Darjeeling, here’s why

BJP candidate from Darjeeling Raju Bista has lodged a complaint with Election Commission against BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma, who is constesting LS polls from the same constituency as an Independent. Sharma yesterday alleged that Bista had provided undue advantage to a company under Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. Denying such allegations, Bista said that he was never a part of a Jal Jeevan Mission committee in Darjeeling district. In his letter to EC, he sought steps against the BJP Kurseong MLA for trying to influence the voters ahead of the election.

TMC star candidate hugs man after faced with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan

Bollywood superstar turned TMC candidate Dev yesterday hugged a man outside Bagdogra Airport in north Bengal who chanted Jai Shri Ram slogan at him. Dev, who isna two-time TMC MP from Ghatal and seeking a re-election this year, is a star capaigner for the party. On the last day of campaigning for second phase election, Dev arrived at Bagdogra airport yesterday to visit the Raiganj and Balurghat constituencies. When he came out from the arrival gate, a man shouted Jai Shri Ram slogan at him. Instead of ignoring the slogan, Dev hugged the man and even shook his hands.