West Bengal Elections

HIGHLIGHTS | Bengal Assembly polls: Over 91 per cent turnout recorded as phase II polling concludes

A total of 142 out of 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal will vote in a high-stakes contest, with results to be counted on May 4.
Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.(Photos | PTI)
TNIE online desk
Summary

Elections for 142 Assembly seats in West Bengal is underway on Wednesday, with over 1,448 candidates in the fray, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm.

In a summer marked by multiple elections, polling in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Phase 1 of West Bengal has already concluded.

In the first phase of polling, held across 152 seats, the state witnessed a massive turnout of 92.72 per cent, the highest since Independence. The results of the elections will be declared on May 4, along with those of other states and the Union Territory.

Voting on Wednesday will decide the fate of 1,448 candidates, including 1,228 men and 220 women.

A total of over 3.22 crore voters, including 1.64 crore male electors, 1.57 crore female electors, and 792 third-gender voters, are expected to participate.

Polling will be held at 41,001 stations, with webcasting covering all polling stations.

The EC has put in place extensive security arrangements, deploying 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts. A total of 142 general observers, 95 police observers and 100 expenditure observers have been deployed. Officials said drones fitted with cameras are also being used to monitor the poll process.

Bengal polls: Phase II records 91.41 per cent polling 

Abhishek Banerjee claims voter death after 'assault' by central forces

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday accused the central forces deployed in West Bengal on elections duty of acting as the BJP's private army and alleged that amn elderly voter died after being assulted by the CAPF.

Referring to the incident in Udaynarayanpur, he claimed that the elderly man had gone to cast his vote with his son and collapsed after central forces allegedly pushed and assaulted them while the son was trying to help him enter the booth.

"The old man collapsed, was rushed to Amta Hospital and declared dead on arrival," Banerjee wrote in a post on X.

700 companies of CAPF to stay in Bengal after polls: EC

Amid widespread allegations against central forces by the TMC, the Election Commission on Wednesday said around 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will continue to remain deployed across West Bengal after the completion of the final phase polling.

According to an EC official cited by the PTI, the forces will stationed in sensitive areas and will assist the state administration in maintaining normalcy.

"As per the EC's deployment plan issued on March 19, after completion of poll today, 700 companies of CAPF shall continue to remain deployed in the state for security arrangements and law and order duties, till further orders," he said.

Clashes break out between TMC, BJP workers in North 24 Parganas

Violent clash broke out between TMC and BJP workers at Booth Number 120, Arabinda Rally in North 24 Parganas as voting for the second and last phase of West Bengal elections concluded on Wednesday.

89.99 per cent polling recorded till 5 pm in the final phase of West Bengal elections

TMC alleges central forces baton-charged women, child outside polling booth 

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh on Wednesday alleged that central forces baton-charged women and a child, near a polling booth in South 24 Parganas district during the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

"Unbelievable violence wreaked by @narendramodi and @AmitShah on Bengal’s citizens . After lathi charging women, central forces have now hit and injured A CHILD. UNACCEPTABLE. “Singham” thokshahi cops must be hauled before the law," Ghosh said in a post on X.

'CRPF cannot torture like this': Mamata after casting her vote in final phase of Bengal elections

TMC candidate from Bhabanipur and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the central forces deployed on election duty in West Bengal of committing widespread "atrocities" as polling progressed for the second phase of Assembly elections in the state.

"... From yesterday night they started atrocities, and they arrested so many of our people. It is a contempt of court. I have never seen this type of democracy... Trinamool is winning... CRPF cannot torture like this," the CM said.

"There is no state police at any booth. They have captured it all. They should secure the border. Instead of doing that, they are securing one political party... I have never seen this. I have been fighting my election since 1984, but the atrocities are terrible," she added.

TMC candidate from Bhabanipur and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee casts her vote at polling booth in Kolkata 

TMC alleges police of lathi charging, vandalising property 

TMC candidate from Bhangar assembly constituency, Saokat Molla on Wednesday alleged that police carried out lathi charge injuring some party workers on Wednesday, during the decond phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal.

"... Police carried out a lathi charge, some supporters were injured. Last night, they beat our supporters, broke houses, vandalised property. This officer works like a commission agent, as a BJP stooge, using lathi charges, but won’t win. People will vote for TMC," he said.

RG Kar rape-murder victim's mother faces TMC protest for allegedly 'influencing voters' in booth

BJP's Panihati candidate Ratna Debnath, who is also the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, on Wednesday faced protests from TMC workers for allegedly trying to influence voters at a booth in the counstituency.

"When I was coming out of the booth, I noticed an elderly woman who looked infirm and had difficulty walking. I requested those present there to help the person cast her vote. But as I stepped out, TMC activists accused me of influencing the voter and prevented me from leaving the spot," she said.

A TMC leader accused Debnath of trying to influence voters and disrupt the election process.

"No one threatened her. She was staging a drama," he said.

Repolling likely in some booths over alleged EVM tampering, says EC 

West Bengal Chief Election Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Wednesday said repolling will likely be conducted in booths where tampering of EVMs were reported during the second phase of Assemblty elections in the state.

"Repolling is likely in booths where EVMs were allegedly covered with tape or tampered with in any way…” he said.

"Action will be taken. Wherever EVM tampering has been done, re-election can be done there," said Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta.

The EC officials' comments came after the BJP alleged that the party's symbols on EVMs were covered with tapes or ink in certain booths.

Bengal Phase II Assembly polls records 78.68 per cent polling till 3 PM 

TMC workers in North 24 Parganas allege BJP workers threatening voters 

TMC workers in North 24 Parganas alleged BJP workers brought goons to threaten voters as polling progressed for the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, reported PTI.

"They are bringing goons in vehicles and preventing voters from casting their votes. They are threatening voters," a TMC worker said.

He also alleged that the police sided with the BJP workers.

Bengal CEO says polling underway peacefully, turnout may surpass first phase 

As the polling for the second phase of Assembly elections progressed in West Bengal, the state's Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal exuded confidence that the voter turnout may surpass the over 90 per cent recorded in the first phase.

"In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark," Agarwal said.

Agarwal said extensive security deployment and close monitoring were ensuring a smooth voting process across the state.

"There is proper deployment of CAPF, and all arrangements are in place. Voting is taking place completely peacefully, and no complaints are being reported from anywhere," he told reporters.

"We are also urging residents of high-rise buildings to go out and cast their votes. Everyone should vote. The Election Commission of India wants every person whose name is on the voter list to exercise their right to vote," he added.

'Expected this from ruling party': Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on poll violence 

Congress leader and candidate from Baharampur, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Wednesday commented on the violent incidents reported during the final phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.

"It is impossible to expect elections in Bengal to be free of violence. We expected this from the ruling party's side," he said.

He lauded the deployment of central forces in large numbers and said people will be able to vote without fear because of it.

"The common people feel that they will be able to vote because Central Forces have been deployed in large numbers here. Common people are participating in the elections by without fear..." he said.

West Bengal Phase II records 61.11% turnout till 1 pm

TMC faces BJP, Left challenge in Ballygunge, Rashbehari

South Kolkata’s Ballygunge and Rashbehari constituencies, long held by the Trinamool Congress, are witnessing a renewed contest as the BJP and Left attempt to capitalise on anti-incumbency.

While the TMC remains confident of retaining both seats, Ballygunge is shaping up as a three-cornered fight, with the CPI(M) banking on a young candidate to disrupt the contest. The party has this time fielded greenhorn Afreen Begum against TMC's heavyweight Sovandeb Chattopadhyay and BJP's Shatorupa.

In Rashbehari, the BJP has fielded a high-profile candidate in journalist Swapan Dasgupta to challenge the TMC’s sitting MLA Debasish Kumar. Both constituencies, with diverse voter bases, are politically significant in the Kolkata region.

Allegations involving central agencies and counterclaims of governance failures have further sharpened the campaign, making these traditional TMC bastions key seats to watch in the ongoing election.

READ FULL STORY HERE

There will be presidential rule if repolls occur: BJP's Asim Kumar Sarkar

BJP candidate Asim Kumar Sarkar on Wednesday said that if repolling is held in West Bengal after May 4, it could lead to President's Rule in the state.

While thanking the Election Commission for "peaceful polling", he also alleged EVM malfunctions and irregularities, demanding repolling in affected booths and corrective action wherever required.

Speaking to ANI, Sarkar said,"I would like to thank the Election Commission. I had never seen such peaceful polling in Bengal. There were sporadic incidents but EC had said in the all-party meeting that there would be a repoll if any issues happened. Central forces are very active."

He further claimed that if repolling is conducted after May 4, central forces may no longer be present and made a political assertion regarding governance in the state thereafter.

"Repolling happens after 4th May, they won't be in power at that time. From 5th May onward, there would be President's Rule. So, you decide whether you want that or a peaceful polling... EVMs were malfunctioning at all the booths I visited; I do not know the reason, though. I have received 28 EVM malfunction reports in my constituency. I have complained; I had never seen such high instances of EVM malfunction in one constituency," Sarkar added.

TMC-BJP workers clash in Hooghly; CRPF resumes peaceful polling after 'minor incident'

BJP and TMC polling agents reportedly clashed at booth numbers 147 and 148 at the Ramchandrapur Adarsha Bidyabhaban polling station in the Khanakul assembly constituency.

According to CRPF Sub-Inspector Usha, the voting in the region has resumed peacefully following the "minor incident".

"It was a minor incident. Right now, voting is taking place in a peaceful manner. CRPF's all-women 240th Battalion is deployed here," she said.

Family feud splits Matua vote in Bagda, Gaighata as SIR hits BJP turf

In Bagda and Gaighata, politics has turned deeply personal. What was once a consolidated Matua vote is now fractured, not just between the BJP and TMC but within the Thakur family itself, long seen as the community’s anchor. As relatives face off across party lines, another anxiety runs deeper — the fear of exclusion.

The SIR exercise has als left many refugee Hindu families uncertain about their place on the voter list, unsettling a community whose politics has long revolved around identity and belonging.

The result is an election shaped as much by emotion as by strategy, where loyalty, legacy and the promise of citizenship are all under strain — and the outcome could ripple far beyond these border constituencies.

READ FULL STORY HERE

'Dedicate my vote to those who were disenfranchised, stripped of their rights': CPI(M)'s Md Salim

CPI(M) politburo member and the party's West Bengal secretary, Md Salim, on Wednesday said he dedicated his vote to those who were "disenfranchised by the SIR exercise", alleging it was carried out with a design to strip people of their constitutional rights.

Speaking to PTI Videos after casting his vote at the St Thomas Girls' School in Kolkata, Salim said polls were taking place peacefully so far, apart from some sporadic and minor incidents.

"The poll percentage will go up this time compared to previous years because I can see, for the first time, people standing in long queues to exercise their franchise. That is perhaps fuelled by attempts made to snatch their voting rights," he said.

"I dedicate my vote to those people who are not able to cast their votes today because of a conscious design to disenfranchise them and strip them of their fundamental and constitutional rights. We have fought before, and the resistance to that project will continue in future," he added.

'Women's safety top priority': Mother of R G Kar rape-murder victim  

BJP's Panihati candidate Ratna Debnath, the mother of RG Kar rape-murder victim, cast her vote in Sodepur in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district and said women's safety is her top priority.

She exuded confidence that people would vote for a regime change and free West Bengal from "the misrule of TMC".

"The TMC failed to address the worsening law and order situation in the state. Only one arrest has been made in the RG Kar case. How did the accused get access to a secure place supposedly guarded by hospital security?" she told reporters.

"Apart from my daughter, hundreds of women have also been facing atrocities in West Bengal under the TMC rule. My priority is women's safety," she alleged.

Debnath expressed confidence in winning the seat and said, "We have to ensure that not a single vote is lost."

The BJP nominee alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government had tried to hush up the brutal rape and murder of her medic daughter. She has been fielded against Tirtankar Ghosh, the son of sitting TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh, and CPIM's Kalatan Dasgupta.

BJP claims party's button 'blocked by tape' on EVMs in Falta

BJP leader Amit Malviya on Wednesday alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the BJP at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during the ongoing phase two of Assembly polling.

He claimed that in multiple booths, the BJP option was allegedly blocked using tape, calling it the "Diamond Harbour Model" and demanding a repoll in the affected areas.

In a post on X, Malviya wrote, "This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta in Diamond Harbour. In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called 'Diamond Harbour Model', the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat."

The BJP leader has demanded an immediate repoll in affected booths in Falta, while also claiming that booth 189 is also facing similar problems.

"We demand an immediate repoll in all affected booths in Falta where such incidents have occurred. Details of a couple of such booths, along with evidence, are provided below: Falta 144 Part 170 Room No. 2 - Harindanga High School Booth 189 is also compromised in a similar manner along with several others," the post read.

BJP's Basanti candidate alleges attack by TMC 'goons'

BJP candidate from Basanti assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas, Bikash Sardar, on Wednesday alleged that "200-250 TMC goons" attacked his car and assaulted his driver during polling for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.

The TMC did not immediately respond to the allegations.

Sardar claimed the incident took place in the Kanthalberia area when he was visiting polling booths in the constituency. "TMC is doing 'goonda giri' (hooliganism) everywhere in the constituency. Around 200 to 250 TMC goons attacked my car with rods and bamboo sticks. They also assaulted my driver," he told reporters.

He alleged that stones were hurled at his vehicle and claimed that central forces were later rushed to the spot following the incident.

The BJP candidate further accused policemen of beating him up. "My car was attacked and I was also beaten up by policemen. They are helping the ruling party instead of ensuring free and fair polls," Sardar alleged.

West Bengal Phase II records 39.97% turnout till 11am

Till 11 am, West Bengal recorded 39.97 per cent polling with Purba Bardhaman registering the highest turnout at 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 43.12 per cent and Nadia at 40.34 per cent.

Howrah recorded 39.45 per cent polling, while North 24 Parganas registered 38.43 per cent.

Kolkata North and Kolkata South recorded 38.39 per cent and 36.78 per cent turnout, respectively.

South 24 Parganas, a politically crucial district witnessing several high-profile contests, recorded 37.9 per cent voting.

The first phase of polls in 152 Assembly seats of West Bengal on April 23 also recorded more than 41 per cent polling till 11 am.

NIA officials deployed in seven Bengal Assembly seats for second phase of polls

NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal where the second phase of polling is underway, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.

The sleuths of the federal anti-terror agency have been deployed in seven Assembly seats, including Kasba, Bhangar, Baruipur, and Bishnupur, an official said.

"Yes, the NIA has been assigned to booths in these places. The decision was taken based on specific inputs," he said, adding that Bhangar have been included in the list due to its history of poll-related violence.

The directive comes after the recovery of crude bombs in the poll-bound state and reports of a minor blast.

BJP will form govt in Bengal with 'thumping majority': Nitin Nabin

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday voiced confidence that his party will form the government in West Bengal with a "thumping majority".

Speaking to reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, "The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority."

Earlier in the day, the BJP chief visited the Vindhyavasini temple and offered prayers. The rituals were conducted by his priest Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.

EVM glitch halts voting in Baranagar's Ward 72

Polling in Ward 72 of Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district was halted due to an EVM malfunction, officials said. Angry voters alleged that the machine had been changed five times, but polling had still not begun.

"We are standing in line since 7 am. They are saying that the EVMs are malfunctioning. Now, we are going back," says one voter Mithu Garai.

Time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine rights: Kharge to people of West Bengal

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged people of West Bengal to step out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right, saying this is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine their rights and give them a befitting reply.

"Today marks the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections. I urge every voter to step out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right without fear or hesitation," Kharge wrote on X.

Do not be influenced or intimidated by anyone, he told the people.

"Vote for progressive values. Vote for development. Vote for harmony. Vote for amity," Kharge said West Bengal has always led the way in driving meaningful change, and today is another such moment.

"This is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine your rights and give them a befitting reply," the Congress chief said. "I especially appeal to young and first-time voters, your voice matters. Ensure that the spirit of true Democracy persists in West Bengal," he added.

West Bengal Phase II records 18.39% turnout till 9 am

A total of 18.39 per cent of 3.21 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling to 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of West Bengal assembly elections, a senior EC official said.

Till 9 am, Purba Bardhaman district recorded the highest turnout at 20.86 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 20.16 per cent, he said.

Nadia recorded 18.5 per cent turnout, followed by North 24 Parganas (17.81 per cent), Kolkata Uttar (17.28 per cent) and South 24 Parganas (17.25 per cent), Kolkata Dakshin (16.81 per cent), he elaborated.

'They are doing terrorism': Mamata hits out at observers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that poll observers were "doing terrorism" and acting at the BJP’s behest in the poll process.

"So many observers have come from outside. Whatever the BJP says, they are doing. Just look around, all our posters have been removed. Is this how polls take place? Votes will be cast by voters, not by the police or security forces. Some new people have recently been brought in, and they are doing whatever they want. They are doing terrorism," she said.

Banerjee is the TMC candidate from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. She made these remarks during a visit to various booths in her segment where polling is underway.

The Bhabanipur assembly segment is Banerjee's political bastion, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a prestige battle seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in 2021.

The TMC chief generally goes out of her Kalighat residence in the afternoon on the polling day to cast her vote at Mitra Institution school. She, however, went out before 8 am to visit various polling stations in the Bhabanipur assembly segment, including those in the Chetla area, in south Kolkata.

Violence, vandalism reported during early hours of voting

Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday, police said.

The incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Howrah, Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, they said.

A BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by "miscreants linked to the ruling TMC" at booth number 53 in Chapra in Nadia district, party leaders said. A senior police officer said the person, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital.

BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident took place after mock poll began. "TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, causing injury," Sarkar said.

A complaint has been lodged with the local police station, though the TMC denied the allegations.

The injured person said that 15-16 TMC supporters charged at him, with one person carrying a gun. He said he was assaulted with a rod, following which he collapsed on the ground.

In Shantipur, a BJP camp office in ward number 16 was found vandalised on Wednesday morning, with furniture smashed, triggering tension in the area, police said.

In Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, allegations surfaced that an ISF agent was prevented from entering a polling booth, sparking unrest.

ISF leader Arabul Islam claimed, "Agents' forms are being snatched and they are being thrown out... Women are not being allowed to vote. We placed agents so that everyone can vote."

Voting was delayed at booth number 140 in Nimtala, where polling had not begun even by 7.30 am, leading to tension among voters.

Observers 'threatening and intimidating' people: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee

TMC General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee accused poll observers of “threatening and intimidating” people after casting his vote in the Bhawanipur constituency on Wednesday.

“Observers are supposed to act as the eyes and ears of the Election Commission and submit reports to the SP and the Commission, after which the Commission decides what should be done. But instead, they are going around in different ways, threatening and intimidating people,” he told reporters.

Bengal's condition 'worse than' Kashmir: BJP's Dilip Ghosh

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh claimed that Bengal’s condition is “worse than Kashmir” in a remark condemning violence in the state.

“Bengal’s condition is worse than Kashmir, no violence or damage happening there but in Bengal multiple violent incidents repeated,” said Ghosh, who is the BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar.

'Police were indulging in hooliganism': TMC candidate

TMC candidate Saokat Molla alleged clashes in Bhangar and said party workers were hospitalised after last night’s violence, blaming the police.

Molla, who is the party candidate from Bhangar said, "We never saw what we saw last night. Police were indulging in hooliganism. This is not good for us. A few Police personnel were going from door to door and broke down some of them. They beat up some people and they are in hospital. This hooliganism continued all through the night."

"This was an attempt to scare off people. But the supporters and workers of the TMC will not be scared... The election will go in favour of the TMC," he added.

SIR Impact in West Bengal - What to know?

The most contentious issue in the West Bengal Assembly election has been the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, with the debate now centred on whether the revision could influence the prospects of the three-term government led by Mamata Banerjee.

The Trinamool Congress has questioned the process, while the BJP has maintained that the revision is aimed at cleaning up the electoral rolls.

Notably, West Bengal has 294 Assembly seats, with a majority mark of 148. In 2021, the Trinamool Congress won 215 seats, compared with 77 for the BJP, while the Left and others secured one seat each.

The Election Commission has used the term “logical discrepancy” during the revision process, a classification not previously used in recent SIR exercises in other states, including Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The SIR exercise has led to the removal of around 90 lakh names from the electoral rolls, accounting for roughly 11.6% of the electorate. The figure is close to the Trinamool Congress’s winning margin in the 2021 polls, when it secured around 48% of the vote compared with 38% for the BJP.

According to updated roll data, of the 90 lakh names, around 65 lakh were attributed to death, migration, duplication or non-availability. Around 27 lakh cases were placed under adjudication, while approximately 33 lakh names were subsequently reinstated after verification.

The impact has varied across districts, with higher deletions reported in several areas, including West Burdwan, South Dinajpur and parts of North Kolkata. The Trinamool has argued that the scale of deletions in some constituencies overlaps with its previous winning margins, raising concerns over voter exclusion.

BJP candidate in altercation at Kolkata booth; both agents sent out

Priyanka Tibrewal, the BJP candidate from Entally constituency, entered into a verbal altercation with polling officials and security personnel at a polling booth in Kolkata after her polling agent was reportedly asked to leave due to space constraints. A Trinamool Congress polling agent also joined the altercation, after which both were sent out.

Likely to see ‘revenge voting’ today: TMC's Mahua Moitra

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday quipped that Phase II of the Assembly polls is likely to see ‘revenge voting’ in response to the first phase, after casting her vote. She also took aim at the heavy security deployment ahead of the elections, calling it “a form of military rule.”

“I’m very happy to be able to cast my vote early in the morning. We are just going to continue what we started in the first phase. What we saw in the first phase, and what we are likely to see today, is something I would describe as ‘revenge voting’… We expect to see strong voter turnout throughout the day… We have never seen an election like this before. While voting is usually a celebration of democracy, this time it feels like a form of military rule, as you can see,” Moitra told reporters.

West Bengal Voter Matrix – What the numbers say?

West Bengal’s electoral behaviour is shaped by a mix of religious concentration, caste categories and regional identity blocs, with constituency outcomes often reflecting sharply localised demographic balances.

Hindus account for around 70–72% of the population, while Muslims form approximately 27%, based on Census 2011 data.

Scheduled Castes constitute about 23%, while Scheduled Tribes account for around 5–6%, with significant concentration in North Bengal and western districts.

Muslim voters form a decisive segment in several districts, particularly Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and parts of North Bengal, where they can constitute a majority in select constituencies, making them a key factor in electoral strategies in these regions.

SC voters are widely distributed across rural Bengal and often act as a swing bloc in closely contested seats, while ST communities influence outcomes in select hill and forest belts, especially in North Bengal and Jangalmahal.

Caste structures in West Bengal are less formally articulated in political mobilisation compared to some other states, but regional identity and socio-religious clustering strongly influence voting behaviour at the constituency level.

Age composition broadly reflects national patterns, with a significant youth electorate (18–35) playing a key role in shaping campaign narratives around jobs, welfare and governance.

Unlike more structured caste-based systems elsewhere, West Bengal’s electoral arithmetic is driven by an overlapping mix of religion, caste category and regional identity, with parties tailoring outreach accordingly.

Urging those voting today to do so in record numbers: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges voters to vote in "record numbers".

"Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise," Modi wrote on X.

Polling begins for 142 seats in final phase of Bengal assembly elections

Polling started at 7 am with voters lining up outside booths across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman - districts that together form the political and electoral core of the state.

Mamata vs Suvendu : TMC’s emotional pitch meets BJP’s caste calculus in Bhabanipur battle

In West Bengal’s electoral calculus, Bhabanipur has emerged as the X factor.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces a tough contest from the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in her long-held bastion, making it the state’s most closely watched Assembly seat.

While the Trinamool Congress is looking to retain its stronghold in south Kolkata with organisational strength and emotion, the BJP wants to breach the keep by banking on social arithmetic and symbolism.

The fight is reminiscent of the electoral clash between Banerjee and Adhikari in the 2021 Assembly polls, when the chief minister had taken on her protege-turned-rival, who had then just joined the BJP, in the latter's home turf, Nandigram.

Banerjee had lost the fight, although the BJP had been drubbed by the TMC five years ago. She later won the Bhabanipur Assembly bypolls.

The turf has changed, and it remains to be seen if the result does too.

Mamata Banerjee's party is banking on the "'ghorer meye' (girl next door)" pitch, organisational muscle and continuity.

On the other hand, the BJP is looking to wrest the chief minister's "safest" seat with caste calculations, Ram Navami imagery and booth-level social engineering.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

How south Bengal voted in 2021

The southern region, considered a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will be crucial in determining the final outcome.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC delivered a dominant performance in south Bengal, securing 123 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win 18 seats in the region, reflecting a significant but limited presence. The Left Front, won one seat.

Given these past trends, south Bengal remains a key focus area for all major political players, with its voting patterns likely to have a decisive impact on the overall results.

Key constituencies

Among the constituencies going to the polls in this phase, Bhangar has the highest number of candidates at 19, while Goghat has the lowest with five, reflecting a varied electoral contest across districts.

Key candidates in this phase include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking re-election from Bhabanipur.

She is pitted against BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari in one of the most high-profile contests of the phase.

In Kolkata Port, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim is up against BJP candidate Rakesh Singh, with the minority-dominated constituency seen as crucial for the ruling party in central Kolkata.

Other important seats include Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Barrackpur, Bangaon, Dumdum, Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj, Ranaghat Uttar and Dakshin, Rashbehari, Jadavpur and Ballygunge.

Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Bhabanipur battle: Mamata’s fortress faces Adhikari challenge in high-stakes 2026 showdown
Suvendu Adhikari
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal elections 2026

Key Events

89.99 per cent polling recorded till 5 pm in the final phase of West Bengal elections

Bengal Phase II Assembly polls records 78.68 per cent polling till 3 PM 

'Expected this from ruling party': Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on poll violence 

West Bengal Phase II records 61.11% turnout till 1 pm

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