KOLKATA, Apr 29: Voting commenced on Wednesday across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, amid tight security arrangements and a high-stakes political battle that could determine whether the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) maintains its stronghold in southern districts or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manages to make significant inroads.
Polling began at 7 am, with voters seen queuing outside polling stations across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman — regions that form the electoral heartland of the state.
Unlike the first phase, where the BJP focused on north Bengal, this final phase is centred in the TMC’s traditional strong base. In the 2021 elections, the TMC had won 123 of these 142 seats, while the BJP secured 18 and the ISF won one seat, making this phase crucial for the opposition’s hopes.
Bhabanipur has emerged as a key focal point, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is in the fray against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, turning it into a symbolic and politically charged contest.
A total of 3.21 crore voters, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote across 41,001 polling stations, all equipped with webcasting facilities for real-time monitoring. The Election Commission has deployed 2,321 companies of central forces, with Kolkata receiving the highest security presence.
The poll body has also appointed 142 general observers, 95 police observers, and 100 expenditure observers to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Drone surveillance is being used in sensitive areas to enhance monitoring.
The first phase recorded a historic 93.19% turnout, which both the TMC and BJP have interpreted differently — with the BJP calling it a sign of anti-incumbency, while the TMC views it as public support for its welfare-driven governance.
A major point of contention in this phase remains the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has seen large-scale deletions in several south Bengal districts. Over 12.6 lakh names were removed in North 24 Parganas, 10.91 lakh in South 24 Parganas, and nearly 6.97 lakh in Kolkata.
In at least 25 constituencies, the number of deleted voters exceeds previous victory margins, while 1,468 restored voters will also cast their ballots following tribunal orders.
The TMC has alleged targeted exclusion of minorities, migrants, and Bengali-speaking voters, whereas the BJP has defended the process as a cleanup of bogus and illegal entries.
Key constituencies in this phase include Kolkata Port, Bhatpara, Jagatdal, Barrackpore, Bangaon, Dum Dum, Sandeshkhali, Ranaghat, Rashbehari, Jadavpur, and Ballygunge.
Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (Agencies)
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