Amid Mamata-CBI face-off, BJP approaches EC

 Amid a heated face-off between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the CBI, the BJP on Monday approached the Election Commission seeking the poll body's intervention so that the Lok Sabha elections can be held in a "free and fair" manner. The party said the TMC was not allowing its political programmes in West Bengal. This comes a day after the state government denied permission for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's chopper to land in the state ahead of an election rally. Yogi later addressed the gathering through a telephone call and his speech was broadcasted using an audio link.