'NDA will form govt in TN': G Kishan Reddy exudes confidence after poll date announcement

After the Election Commission (EC) announced poll dates for four states, Union Minster G Kishan Reddy while speaking to Republic Media Network said that the BJP is ready to face elections in Tamil Nadu along with its 4 alliance partners. Speaking further, he said NDA will win and form government in Tamil Nadu once again. 

During his conversation with Republic TV, MoS G Kishan Reddy while speaking about BJP's NDA alliance said, "Yes NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu will definitely win. People know how the government has worked with the schemes that had been developed across the nation, it is no doubt that NDA alliance will win in the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu. We are strong."

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Commenting on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's comment, Reddy clarified that the BJP or government has no role in the decisions of EC. He added, "It is the tendency for someone to point fingers at EC when something goes wrong." This is what has happened in this case as well. Earlier on Friday, CM Mamata Banerjee had alleged that the Centre is using its power due to which the assembly election in West Bengal is being conducted in eight phases instead of six as was done last time. 

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EC announces Assembly polls date for 4 states

In a big development on Friday, the Election Commission of India announced the dates of the Assembly election for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. While Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry will have a single-phase poll, Assam and West Bengal Assembly election shall be conducted in three and eight phases respectively. The counting of votes for all the polls will take place on May 2.

At the outset of the press briefing, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora lauded the efforts of the frontline health workers and the poll officers during the COVID-19 crisis. On this occasion, he highlighted that the people of Bihar had reposed their faith in the EC despite the novel coronavirus challenge by coming out to vote in large numbers in the 2020 Assembly polls. He added that everyone on poll duty has been declared frontline worker for vaccine purpose. 

A total of 18.68 crore persons will decide the fate of 824 seats in the aforesaid 4 States and one Union Territory at 2.7 lakh polling stations. The polling time has been increased by one hour akin to the Bihar Assembly polls. Thereafter, he explained the COVID-19 prevention guidelines for the candidates and voters. Arora also mentioned that adequate CRPF deployment shall be ensured in the poll-bound states. With the announcement of the poll dates, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force. The expenditure limit of the Puducherry will be Rs.22 lakh per constituency and Rs.30.8 lakh for the 4 states.

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These are the statewide election details:

1. Assam (3-phase election)

• 126 seats (8-SC, 16-ST) 
• 33,530 polling stations
• Assembly term ending on May 31
• 1st phase- 47 constituencies. Date of polling- March 27
• 2nd phase- 39 constituencies. Date of polling- April 1
• 3rd phase- 40 constituencies. Date of polling- April 6

 2. Tamil Nadu (Single-phase election)

• 234 seats (44-SC, 2-ST)
• 88,936 polling stations
• Assembly term ending on May 24
• Date of polling- April 6

3. Kerala (Single-phase election)

• 140 seats (14-SC, 2-ST)
• 40,771 polling stations
• Assembly term ending on May 30
• Date of polling- April 6

4. West Bengal (8-phase election)

• 294 seats (68-SC, 16-ST)
• 1,01,916 polling stations
• Assembly term ending on June 1
• 1st phase- 30 constituencies. Date of polling- March 27
• 2nd phase- 30 constituencies. Date of polling- April 1
• 3rd phase- 31 constituencies. Date of polling- April 6
• 4th phase- 44 constituencies. Date of polling- April 10
• 5th phase- 45 constituencies. Date of polling- April 17
• 6th phase- 43 constituencies. Date of polling- April 22
• 7th phase- 36 constituencies. Date of polling- April 26
• 8th phase- 35 constituencies. Date of polling- April 29. 

5. Puducherry (Single-phase election)

• 30 seats (5-SC)
• 1559 polling stations
• Currently under President's Rule with dissolution of Assembly
• Date of polling- April 6. 

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