'No trend linking Covid spike to polls': BJP tells EC to conduct Bengal election as per schedule

The BJP on Friday told the Election Commission that there was no sign so far that a "rise in Covid cases could be attributed to the democratic process" and opposed Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s demand to pack remaining four phases of the election into one day of voting. The BJP has written a letter to the ECI saying that in order to ensure level-playing field to all candidates, the poll panel must hold the remaining phases as per schedule. The letter adds, the right, already exercised by more than 60 per cent of the candidates, should also be provided to the reaming candidates to ensure equality.