Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stated that there is an “anti-incumbency wave” in West Bengal as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appears unsettled during the ongoing second phase of Assembly elections. Chowdhury mentioned that the outcome is uncertain due to opposition votes being split, but if Trinamool’s vote remains steady, they may benefit from the wave.
Chowdhury noted a visible restlessness in Mamata Banerjee as she actively engages with voters, moving between polling booths in her constituency, a behavior he described as unprecedented. He suggested that her restlessness indicates a lack of confidence in her victory.
Polling for 142 constituencies in six districts of West Bengal’s second phase of Assembly elections is currently in progress, with a voter turnout of 76.68% recorded in the first six hours. Tensions arose in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata, where central forces used a baton charge to disperse agitated Trinamool Congress supporters.
The high-profile contest in Bhabanipur is between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The situation intensified in the Kalighat area near the Chief Minister’s residence, where Trinamool workers protested and raised slogans against Adhikari, leading to a complaint lodged by Adhikari with the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal.
Despite reports of sporadic violence during polling, the voter turnout percentage is significantly higher than the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The presence of central forces and a large number of observers has helped maintain order, with no major injuries or widespread voter intimidation reported.
