With three more phases left to the high-stakes assembly elections in West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the state election commission where it requested the commission to club the remaining sixth, seventh and eight phases of voting due to the surge coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases. This comes just a day after TMC supremo and state chief minister Mamata Banerjee requested the Election Commission (EC) to club these three phases of voting into one. Political parties especially in West Bengal, have faced heat over organising rallies and road shows where there is complete violation of all coronavirus-related protocol, such as wearing of masks and maintaining physical distancing during poll rallies and road shows. The TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on Monday they will reduce their campaigning in Bengal for the last three phases. The BJP said people participating in rallies will be limited to 500 and meetings will be held in open spaces.

Source: Hindustan Times April 20, 2021 10:27 UTC