High-profile campaigning will move to the virtual platform and air waves in the remaining two phases of the Assembly elections in Bengal with the Election Commission of India on Thursday night banning practically all canvassing events that involve public gatherings.

The only events permitted are public meetings of not more than 500 people, provided physical distancing norms are observed.

The poll panel announcement was preceded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling off his on-site events in Bengal on Friday. The commission’s order was followed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee cancelling her election meetings.

Two curious events preceded the Election Commission’s order, which comes after weeks of huge election rallies that are being partly blamed for the intensity of the second wave of Covid-19. The commission had rejected Trinamul requests to club the last three phases of polling in Bengal to check the spread of Covid.

⚫ Around 5.30pm, Prime Minister Modi had tweeted that he was cancelling his Friday trip to Bengal, where he was scheduled to address four election rallies. Modi said he would be chairing high-level meetings to review the Covid-19 situation.

⚫ Around 6pm, a BJP leader posted a tweet asking whether “the conscience keepers of democracy who are in abundance” would question why Mamata Banerjee was continuing her rallies in Bengal.

⚫ A little after 8pm, the Election Commission issued the fresh restrictions on poll gatherings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Telegraph picture

Earlier in the day, Union home minister Amit Shah, whose acumen at explaining the importance of chronology to his followers was well-established during the CAA protests, had held three rallies in Bengal. Like the last time, he was spotted on stage with his mask pulled below his chin in at least one venue on Thursday.

Soon after the commission’s order, Mamata tweeted: “In the wake of upsurge in #COVID19 cases across the country and the ECI order dated 22nd April, 2021, I am cancelling all my prescheduled meetings and we will reach out to the people virtually.”

Mamata will also address media conferences.

Before the Election Commission had issued its order, BJP sources had said the Prime Minister was cancelling his Friday trip to Bengal as there was concern about a perception that the “government and the party are obsessed with elections” when people were dying in large numbers from Covid-19.

According to the commission, the fresh curbs have been imposed because many political parties and candidates are still not adhering to the prescribed safety norms at public gatherings.