Police said all the victims were staff members of the firecracker factory where the blast occurred shortly before 10 PM last night.

BJP has seen a steady rise in membership in Bengal. From 46,000 in 2000 it has now reached 6.35 lakh, according to party sources.

About 40,000 political workers in Jangalmahal belonging to parties including Trinamool Congress, Congress and CPM switched their allegiance...