Ghani’s Malda

Malda: On the last day of campaigning for election 2006, the chief minister sought votes here saying the Left would “never neglect Barkatsaheb’s Malda”.

The Congress leader, much respected here, has been on the lips of every party since his death in mid-April.

Jawan menace

Balurghat: CRPF jawans deployed here have been accused of making phone calls and taking shop items without paying for them. “We are here to work for you,” has been their riposte. Sudeb Roy filed an FIR at Balurghat police station after he was allegedly pulled down from his cycle and beaten up for no apparent fault.

Officer probe

Calcutta: Subhashish Sinha, the presiding officer of a Burrabazar booth, has been showcaused. He didn’t offer a Braille ballot to the lone visually-challenged voter who went there on April 27. As an experiment, the poll panel had installed Braille voting machines in all booths in Burra-bazar and Bowbazar but none of them was used.

EC seal: The panel has said an observer’s signature would be mandatory before the result for any seat is declared.

New state call

Dinhata: Police wielded the baton on Saturday as pro-Greater Cooch Behar activists tried to hold a rally calling for a vote boycott.