<span style="color: black;">Campaigning has stepped up in poll bound States of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Campaigning is in full swing in West Bengal particularly in the areas going to polls in the first phase.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally at Bhangra More area in Purulia today.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Speaking at the public meeting, Mr Modi said, wherever the BJP has come to power, problems have been resolved.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Mr Modi said that the Prulia district has scarcity of water and connectivity issues.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">He pointed out that there are lots of development opportunities in Junglemahal area regarding tourism and agriculture based industries.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Party leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan held rallies at Moyna assembly constituency and Khejuriin East Medinipur.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' On the other hand, film star and TMC leader Dev held rallies at Mahishadal in East Medinipur while the party Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed three rallies at Garbeta,  Keshiyari and Kharagpur in West Medinipur today.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Leaders of the Sanyukt Morcha also held meetings at East Medinipur.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Campaigning has also intensified in Assam. Addressing an election rally in Karimganj of South Assam, Prime Minister Modi today assured that sustained and intense development will be delivered to the people of state in the near future.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Mr. Modi said that, Barak Vally was Gateway of Assam, once, but the misrule and corruption of congress governments disturbed the connectivity of Assam.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">47 Assembly Constituencies in Assam and 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal will go to polls on 27th of this month during the first phase.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' In Assam, a total of 345 candidates are in the fray in the second phase. 33 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers.  </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' 39 Assembly Constituencies of Assam and 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal will go to polls in the Second Phase on 1st of April.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' On the other hand, the process of filing of nominations is underway for the Third Phase of assembly elections in these two states.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">The polling in this phase will be held on 6th of April.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">The filing of nominations ends tomorrow for the third phase in Assam and West Bengal.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Senior Bodoland People's Front leader and Minister Pramila Rani Brahma submitted nomination paper today for the Kokrajhar East seat in Assam.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Her opponent and UPPL leader Lawrance Islary has also filed nomination.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">For BJP, senior leader and Minister in the Sonowal cabinet, Siddhartha Bhattacharya filed his nomination for the prestigious East Guwahati seat while sitting Asom Gana Parishad legislator Ramendra Narayan Kalita also submitted his nomination for West Guwahati.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Congress leader Ramen Barthakur filed his nomination for Jalukbari seat.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Assam will be witnessing three-phase elections while West Bengal will go to the polls in eight phases this time.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">The total strength of the West Bengal Assembly is 294 out of which 68 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 16 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Presently, there are 10 vacancies in the house.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Filing of nomination papers is also underway for the single-phase assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry to be held on 6th of April.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Tomorrow is the last date for filing of nominations.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">In Kerala, with just few days left for the Assembly polls, campaign is gaining momentum in the State.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">In Tamil Nadu, candidates are busy filing their nominations today. State BJP President L.Murugan filed his nomination at Dharapuram reserved constituency today.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">Congress candidate for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha by-election, Actor Vijay Vasanth, the son of late MP Vasantha Kumar filed his nomination.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: black;">He is contesting against BJP leader and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' Election Commission has appointed 4 special observers for the upcoming assembly elections in Puducherry.</span><br />'' <span style="color: black;"><br />'' The counting of votes in the four States and the Union Territory will take place on 2nd of May. </span><br />''