CEO office asks for report of BLO after Suvendu Adhikari’s complaint
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has sought a detailed report regarding allegations that a Trinamool Congress functionary was included in the list of booth-level officers (BLOs) under the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district. According to sources in the CEO’s office, the report was sought after Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, drew the attention of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the alleged inclusion of ruling party office bearers in the BLO lists. Adhikari cited the case of Diamond Harbour as an example, claiming that the integrity of the electoral process could be compromised if politically affiliated individuals were appointed to such positions. As per information provided by Adhikari, the officer in question, Md. Alauddin Molla, has been named as a BLO in the Diamond Harbour constituency. He alleged that Molla is an area president of the Trinamool Congress and that his wife, Liala Bibi, serves as an elected Trinamool panchayat member from Block No. 2 of Diamond Harbour. Following the complaint, West Bengal CEO Ariz Aftab Agarwal sought a comprehensive report from the District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas, who also serves as the District Election Officer, to verify the allegations and ascertain whether due procedure was followed in Molla’s appointment as a BLO. Adhikari, speaking yesterday, warned that allowing politically linked individuals to function as booth-level officers could open avenues for manipulation of the electoral process. He urged the Election Commission to intervene and ensure neutrality and transparency while appointing field-level electoral personnel. The selection of BLOs in West Bengal has been contentious in recent months. Earlier, allegations surfaced that contractual government employees and para-teachers were being appointed as BLOs, despite the Election Commission’s guideline specifying that only permanent state government employees and regular teachers in state-run schools should be considered for such roles. Concerns have also been raised over the appointment of electoral registration officers (EROs). The ECI mandates that only officers from the West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) cadre—such as sub-divisional officers, sub-divisional magistrates, or rural development officers—should serve as EROs.
IndiGo Launches First Direct Mumbai–London Heathrow Flight
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, on Sunday operated its inaugural non-stop flight between Mumbai and London Heathrow, marking a major milestone in the carrier’s global expansion strategy. The daily service, operated with IndiGo’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, features a dual-class configuration — standard Economy and IndiGoStretch, the airline’s customized business-class product. Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, is considered a key gateway for international airlines. IndiGo’s new route connects two of the world’s major financial hubs, strengthening ties between India and the United Kingdom. The airline said the service will cater to strong travel demand between the two countries for education, tourism, and family visits. With this launch, Indian travelers will now have the option to fly with IndiGo to London and connect onward through the carrier’s codeshare partners. Similarly, travelers from London will gain direct access to IndiGo’s network of more than 90 destinations across India. “We are delighted to announce the launch of direct connectivity between Mumbai and London — two vibrant, global financial hubs with deep cultural and economic ties,” said Pieter Elbers, IndiGo’s chief executive officer. “This route is not just a new destination for us; it’s a bridge between cultures, businesses, and families.” Elbers added that the new service represents a defining moment in IndiGo’s journey toward becoming a truly global airline, reaffirming its commitment to connecting India to the world through “efficient, consistent, and reliable service.” IndiGo said the new route aims to make travel between India and the U.K. more seamless, accessible, and affordable.
