In Assam, the high-pitch campaign for the second and final phase of polling on Monday ended at 3.00 this afternoon.The campaign was by and large peaceful except for a few stray incidents of violence in four districts of the Bodoland Territorial Council. 64 Assembly segments in 14 districts, comprising Lower Assam and Bodoland belt, are to be covered in this phase of election. Political fate of 496 candidates, including 47 women are to be decided by 96 lakh 77 thousand 113 electorates in these districts. Two former Chief Ministers- Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Dr. Bhumidhar Barman – besides the president of the Asom Gana Parishad Chandra Mohan Patowary and several prominent sitting Ministers, are also in the frey in this phase of poll. State Election Office sources said of the total12,589 polling stations, 2033 have been identified as hyper-sensitive, 4175 as sensitive and 475 as vulnerable. Around 500 companies of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed for this phase of the polls. Maximum number of paramilitary forces are to be deployed in the polling centres in the Bodoland Territorial Council districts and along the Indo-Bhutan border. Poll parties along with election materials in some of the remote locations and riverine areas started moving to their destinations today. Overall Elections:- In West Bengal, altogether 293 candidates are in the fray for 2nd phase of assembly elections in the state. Seven candidates withdrew their nominations on last date for withdrawal of candidature today. The 2nd phase of poll will take place in 50 seats in Murshidabad, Nadiya and Birbhum districts on 23rd of this month. Altogether 488 nominations papers have been filed for third phase of elections in the state. 113 nominations were filed on last day of filing nomination for this phase today. The third phase election will take place on 27th of April in 75 seats in Kolkata. North and south 24 pragana district. Filing of nominations are also on for 4th phase of election. Our corespondent reports that campaigning for first phase poll is gradually taking up where voting will take place in 54 seats covering six North Bengal districts on 18th of this month.In Tamil Nadu, leaders are on the final leg of electioneering across the state to cover different assembly segments. As the campaigning will end on Monday, the election department officials are busy feeding the list of candidates on Electronic Voting machines.The Congress party has said that all steps will be taken to permanently continue the 69 per cent reservation to backward classes, SC and ST’s in educational institutions and employment in Tamil Nadu The assurance was given in the party election manifesto which was released by Senior Congress Leader and Union Minister Pranab Mukerjee in Chennai today. The party said priority will be accorded to interlink rivers in southern India besides making attempts to resolve the differences between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Mullaiperiyar dam issue, without affecting the friendly ties between the two states. The congress party has said that steps will be taken to ensure that industry status is accorded to agriculture and fresh impetus is being given to usher in the second green revolution in the country On Education, the party has assured that entrance exams for students entry into medical colleges will be abolished and promised that students belonging to the economically backward sections will be provided with assistance to pursue higher education. The party said a holistic plan will be put in place to provide fishermen living in coastal areas with proper housing, education, health care and basic infrastructure facilities.Sanjay Ghosh/Sanjay Pratap/ Chennai/MAIL/1833 HRS. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji has said that the congress led UPA Government at the Centre is tirelessly working for the progress of marginalized and neglected people of the society in the Country. Addressing an election rally in Karikalampakkam in Puducherry today, . Mukherjee said the UPA Government at the Centre for the last six years is working for the upliftment of poor, unprivileged like Dalits and tribals . It brought many revolutionary schemes like Right to Work, Right to Education, Right to Information, Surva Siksha Abhiyan, Mid-day Meal Programme, and it is going to provide food security to all poor people in the country very soon, he said. He appreciated the Congress led Government at the Union Territory for maintaining an annual growth rate of 14 percent, which is far more than that of the country. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushama Swaraj says, her party is confident of opening its account in the Kerala assembly. Addressing a meet the press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, she said the party will act as an effective opposition in the state assembly. On the Lok Pal Bill, she said a good beginning has been made and stressed on the need to create awareness on corruption. She said that corruption is not limited to political parties alone, which is part of the society.Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh says, in a fast changing world the left parties of the country continue to follow irrelevant policies. Addressing a rally of the Congress led UDF at Kollam, Dr Singh said that the Left party is on the wrong side of history. He said that thirty years of Left rule in West Bengal led to acute backwardness in that state. Prime Minister pointed out that despite global economic crisis India attained eight per cent growth for the country as a whole ensuring inclusive growth of the poorest of the poor. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today alleged that the Kerala government failed to bring about industrial development and overall progress that is required to push the state forward. Addressing a public meeting in Kochi today, Rahul Gandhi observed that industrial growth helps the poor and added that it is the government's duty to ensure that the benefits of growth are transferred to them. He alleged that the Left parties value their political organisation over and above the people and in order to support their organisation, they unleash violence and fear.In Karnataka, By-election in Channapatna, Jagalur and Bhangarpet constituencies concluded today. Voting turn out in these constituencies was around 70 percent. The election went on peacefully without any untoward incident. There are 33 candidates in fray whose fate will be known on May 13, which is the counting day. The elections were caused due to MLAs from Congress and JD(S) resigning to join ruling BJP.