Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to actively participate as West Bengal commences its Assembly elections with voting underway in 152 constituencies. The polling, which began at 7:00 a.m., is spread across 16 districts, marking the start of a crucial electoral contest in the state. Long queues of voters have been observed at polling stations, indicating enthusiastic participation in the democratic process.
Voters, including young individuals and women, are encouraged to exercise their franchise in large numbers, as around 3.6 crore eligible voters will determine the fate of 1,478 candidates in this phase. The constituencies are evenly distributed across north and south Bengal, reflecting the broad geographical and political diversity of this significant electoral battle. The Election Commission of India has deployed a record 2,407 companies of Central Armed Police Forces to ensure peaceful and fair polling in the state.
Despite a reduced number of phases compared to previous elections, security measures have been significantly enhanced. The state is witnessing an unprecedented presence of central forces, supported by new Election Commission protocols aimed at strict enforcement of electoral regulations. The current two-phase election schedule represents a substantial reduction from the multiple-day polling seen in previous years.
In the political arena, the main contest is between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The TMC seeks a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, aiming to form the government, won 77 seats in the last Assembly elections. Polling in the remaining 142 constituencies is scheduled for April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.
