Mamata vs Suvendu; second phase polling begins in Bengal, polling in 142 constituencies

KOLKATA: The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections has begun. Massive security arrangements have been made in areas where clashes are likely. Voting began at 7 am in key districts of South Bengal, such as Kolkata, Howrah, North, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman.

These districts are considered strongholds of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and hence, the second phase of polling is crucial for the BJP. In the 2021 assembly polls, the TMC secured 123 out of these 142 seats, while the BJP won 18 seats and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) won 1 seat.

According to reports, long queues started appearing before polling stations in several constituencies from 6.30 am itself. Since the weather department has forecast severe heat later in the day, a large number of voters, especially women and first-time voters, arrived early to cast their votes.

Bhabanipur, the political stronghold of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is a key constituency in this phase. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is contesting against her. He is trying to repeat his 2021 victory in Nandigram. Other important constituencies voting today include Kolkata Port, Bhatpara, Jagatdal, Barrackpore, Bangaon, Dum Dum, Sandeshkhali, Ranaghat North and South, Rashbehari, Jadavpur, and Ballygunge.

To ensure smooth voting, 2,321 companies of the central forces have been deployed across seven districts. 273 companies are stationed in Kolkata alone. A total of 41,001 polling stations are under webcasting surveillance. Around 3.21 crore voters will cast their votes in this phase, including 1.57 crore women and 792 transgender voters.

The Election Commission said all arrangements are in place for peaceful and fair polling. A high-level meeting led by Sanjay Singhal, Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), was held in Howrah yesterday to review preparations. Teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are also stationed in different parts of Bengal.

The BJP believes its stance on women’s reservation, illegal migration, and women’s safety will work in its favour. Both the BJP and TMC claim that the record 93.2% turnout in the first phase supports them. Rahul Gandhi campaigned for the Congress, while M. A. Baby campaigned for the CPM. Counting of votes will take place on May 4 in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.