Campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls on April 29 officially concluded at 6 p.m. on Monday as the mandatory 48-hour silence period began. PM Modi held the final campaign rally at Jagatdal in the North 24 Parganas district, expressing confidence in BJP’s victory and hinting at the first BJP Chief Minister in West Bengal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also participated in a road show in Behala, emphasizing the continued presence of central forces post-election to prevent violence.
A total of 142 Assembly constituencies across six districts, including Nadia, East Burdwan, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata, will go to the polls on April 29 under tight security. 1,448 candidates are contesting in this phase, with electronic voting machines and ballot papers displaying candidate details for voter convenience. The second phase will witness extensive security measures with 2,407 companies of central forces deployed.
The electoral battle in these constituencies involves a four-cornered contest among Trinamool Congress, BJP, Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, All India Secular Front alliance, and Congress. The campaign focused on issues like corruption, crimes against women, state exchequer conditions, and industry challenges. Trinamool Congress targeted the Election Commission over voter list revisions, while Left Front and All India Secular Front accused Trinamool of colluding with BJP.
The Congress mainly targeted BJP in its campaign, with Rahul Gandhi likening BJP and Trinamool Congress to two sides of the same coin. The political landscape in West Bengal is set for a crucial electoral showdown in the second phase of Assembly polls.
