West Bengal Assembly polls Phase 2 LIVE: Mamata, Abhishek Banerjee visit polling booths in Bhabanipur

Watch | Polling begins for 142 seats

• April 29, 2026 10:05

  BJP’s Sonarpur Dakshin candidate Roopa Ganguly arrives to cast vote at polling station in Kolkata

  BJP candidate from Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly seat, Roopa Ganguly, on Wednesday arrived at a polling booth in Kolkata to cast her vote, as voting across 142 assembly seats in the second phase of West Bengal elections commenced earlier in the day.

  Speaking to ANI, Ms. Ganguly discussed issues with the Electronic Voting Machine, which she had fixed. “There was a slight problem with the machine and battery. I quickly got it fixed. I can’t say anything more right now,” she said.

  Earlier, BJP’s Pursurah candidate Biman Ghosh cast his vote in Hooghly, as polling across 142 seats in West Bengal commenced.

  Speaking to ANI, Ms. Ghosh appealed to people to come out of their homes and exercise their voting right. He also hoped for peaceful elections in the State, expressing confidence in the BJP’s victory in the elections.

  Ms. Ghosh also slammed TMC MP Mitali Bag, accusing her of doing “drama”, amidst the allegations of an attack on her car during campaigning in the State.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 10:03

  Fight to save democracy: TMC’s Mahua Moitra casts her vote in Nadia

  Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday termed the West Bengal Assembly elections a “fight to save democracy,” alleging deletion of voters and expressing confidence that people will respond with a high turnout.

  Speaking after casting her vote at polling booth number 120 at Karimpur Girls High School in Nadia, Ms. Moitra said, “Because the ECI has said not to come by motorbike. So we have come by TOTO.”

  “This time, we are engaged in the fight to save democracy. 2.7 million (27 lakh) voters have been deleted, and the remaining voters will definitely vote 100%. That’s why the voting percentage is bound to be very high. It’s simple mathematics. People are voting for revenge because they will give a befitting reply to the joke the Central Government and the Election Commission have played,” she further said.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 09:56

  Bengal will set new trend of having peaceful polls: BJP’s Rashbehari candidate Swapan Dasgupta casts vote

  As polling for the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections is underway across 142 constituencies in West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rashbehari constituency candidate Swapan Dasgupta on Wednesday cast his vote in Kolkata, urging voters to turn out in large numbers.

  Speaking to ANI after he cast his vote in the Rashbehari constituency, Mr. Dasgupta praised the Election Commission of India for the peaceful election in the first phase. He added that West Bengal would set a new trend of having peaceful elections across the State.

  “The election has just started. The first thing I did was vote. There was a long line, which is very good because it shows that a lot of people are voting with great enthusiasm. We feel that the higher the turnout, the greater will be the prospects for people voting for change in West Bengal. I hope that the high turnout of the first phase, the peaceful nature of the polling in the first phase, is repeated in the second phase as well, and West Bengal will set a new trend of having peaceful elections, and if that happens, my full compliments to the Election Commission,” Mr. Dasgupta added.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 09:53

  Violence, vandalism reported during early hours of voting in Bengal

  Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the Assembly elections on Wednesday, police said. The incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, they said.

  A BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by “miscreants linked to the ruling TMC” at booth number 53 in Chapra in Nadia district, party leaders said.

  A senior police officer said the person, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident took place after the mock poll began. “TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, causing injury,” Mr. Sarkar said.

  A complaint has been lodged with the local police station, though the TMC denied the allegations. The injured person said that 15-16 TMC supporters charged at him, with one person carrying a gun. He said he was assaulted with a rod, following which he collapsed on the ground.

  – PTI

• April 29, 2026 09:29

  “Got the guts?” TMC’s Derek O’Brien dares PM Modi to resign if TMC party retains Bengal

  Amid the second and final phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections on Wednesday, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien took a sharp swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to resign from the top post if the ruling TMC wins the State.

  In a post on X, Mr. O’Brien said, “Narendra, you had announced that you are the candidate for all 294 seats in Bengal. Drop the big talk. Accept this challenge.”

  He further wrote, “On 4 May, when Mamata Banerjee and TMC win Bengal, RESIGN FROM THE PRIME MINISTER’S POST. Got the guts?”

  The provocative challenge comes as West Bengal records high voter turnout in the Phase 1 election, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 09:24

  Abhishek Banerjee visits polling booth in Mitra Institution, Bhabanipur

  TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee visits the polling booth in Mitra Institution, Bhabanipur to cast his vote.

  “We need to get their (BJP) seats down below 50 even though last time they got 77. And I am sure the people of Bengal will give that answer,” Mr. Banerjee says after casting his vote.

  “I am asking everyone to vote in such huge numbers so that the next time they (BJP) try to scare the people of Bengal they think a hundred times,” Abhishek Banerjee says from outside his polling booth in Bhabanipur.

  – Shrabana Chatterjee

• April 29, 2026 09:05

  Mamata visits polling booths in Bhabanipur, alleges central forces acting at BJP’s behest

  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday visited various booths in her Bhabanipur Assembly constituency where polling is underway and alleged that central forces and election observers were acting at the behest of the BJP.

  The Bhabanipur Assembly segment is Ms. Banerjee’s political bastion, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a prestige battle seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in 2021.

  The TMC supremo, who usually steps out of her Kalighat residence in the afternoon on polling day to cast her vote at Mitra Institution School, went out before 8 a.m. and visited several polling stations in the constituency, including those in the Chetla area of south Kolkata.

  She later sat outside a polling station at Chakraberia in Bhabanipur and spoke to reporters, alleging irregularities and accusing the BJP of trying to influence the polling process through central forces and observers.

  “Several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP’s directions. People are supposed to cast their votes, can voting take place like this?” Ms. Banerjee said.

  She also alleged that all TMC party flags had been removed beforehand and claimed that outsiders were interfering with the polling process.

  “They are not allowing the councillor of ward number 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys. Abhishek and I stayed awake the entire night,” she said.

  – PTI

• April 29, 2026 09:04

  Long queues of women as voting begins in Monteswar

  Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election 2026 commenced in the Monteswar assembly on Wednesday amid tight security arrangements.

  Long queues of voters were seen outside the Basanti Devi College polling station since early morning, promising a high women voter turnout as seen in the first phase of polls on April 23.

  Elderly women were also seen enthusiastically participating in the democratic process.

  The ruling TMC has once again fielded sitting MLA and Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury as its candidate from the constituency, who will be up against the BJP’s Saikat Paja, while Congress has fielded Jyotirmoy Mandal. CPI(M) has fielded Anupam Ghosh.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 09:03

  BJP candidate Arjun Singh casts vote in Kolkata, expects high voter turnout

  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, cast his vote at a polling booth in Kolkata as polling for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began on Wednesday morning.

  Mr. Singh told ANI, “I have cast my vote. I have voted for a change. I have voted for the formation of a BJP Government here.”

  Mr. Singh said he expects a high voter turnout – around 93.2% in the first phase of the polls. “This (voter turnout) should be like the first phase. This is the Election Commission’s duty; if they don’t do it, then it is their failure. At booth number 238, the cable of the webcast camera was found snapped. The Election Commission fixed it. Police cannot be seen here; it will be good if we can see them,” the BJP candidate said.

  Mr. Singh is contesting elections from the Noapara constituency against Trinamool Congress candidate Trinankar Bhattacharjee. The seat is currently held by TMC’s three-time MLA Manju Basu, who won the Communist Party of India (Marxist) bastion for the first time in 2001.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 09:01

  BJP’s Ratna Debnath flags EVM issue, urges voters to exercise franchise as voting commences

  Voting for the last phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections began on Wednesday in parts of North 24 Parganas, with Bharatiya Janata Party’s Panihati Assembly candidate flagging a possible issue with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying that she will be informing election officials about the same.

  BJP candidate from Panihati Assembly constituency, Ratna Debnath, cast her vote at a polling booth and displayed her inked finger.

  Ratna Debnath claimed that there was a possible issue with the EVM button while casting her vote and said she would inform polling officials. She thanked early voters, urged others to turn out in large numbers, and expressed hope for justice.

  Speaking to ANI, Ms. Debnath said, “I feel there is some problem with the press button on the EVM. It is taking time to press it; I will inform the officer. I thank every voter who came early to vote, and I appeal to all voters to come out and vote. I believe I will get justice.”

  Ms. Debnath is also the mother of the R.G. Kar Medical College rape and murder victim.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 08:37

  TMC private limited company of aunt, nephew will shut down: BJP candidate Biman Ghosh after casting vote

  BJP candidate from Pursurah Assembly seat, Biman Ghosh, cast his vote in Hooghly, as polling across 142 seats in West Bengal commenced on Wednesday.

  Speaking to ANI, Mr. Ghosh appealed to voters to come out of their homes and exercise their voting right. He further hoped for peaceful elections in the State, expressing confidence in the BJP’s victory in the elections.

  “I appeal to the voters to come out in the morning and vote. This is a festival. Vote and change Bengal. Real transformation will come now. This time, that record (in the first phase) will be broken…Voting should hopefully be peaceful. We will win a high number of seats and come to power. Bengal will transform. TMC Private Limited Company of the aunt and nephew, will shut down. Its workers will have to look for other companies. To people I would like to say – Pehle matdaan, phir jalpaan,” said Mr. Ghosh.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 08:32

  Newly appointed India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi casts vote in Kolkata’s Ballygunge

  Newly appointed India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, cast his vote at the United Missionary Primary Teachers Training Institute polling station in Kolkata’s Ballygunge, as polling for the second phase of West Bengal elections commenced on Wednesday.

  Speaking to ANI, Mr. Trivedi termed the elections a “festival of democracy” and “heritage” of the country, reflecting on the traditions of democracy which have been continuing for the past thousands of years. He also congratulated the Election Commission of India and security personnel, who were involved in the smooth conduct of the elections.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 08:28

  Election Commission asks NIA to ensure bombs not used to disrupt Bengal polls on April 29

  Ahead of phase two of polling in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India has asked the National Investigation Agency to ensure that miscreants do not use bombs to disrupt voting and target workers of political parties, poll authority officials said on Tuesday.

  The directive comes after the recovery of crude bombs in the poll-bound State and reports of a minor blast.

  ECI officials said the poll body is taking stringent measures to prevent any poll-day or post-poll violence in West Bengal.

  Read the whole story here

• April 29, 2026 08:26

  Trinamool accuses Election Commission’s police observer of serious misconduct

  Ajay Pal Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, who appeared in a viral video clip allegedly warning locals of severe consequences if they failed to reveal the whereabouts of Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan in Falta under West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour constituency, was not included in the initial list of 84 police observers released by the Election Commission of India on April 17.

  Mr. Sharma, currently posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police in Prayagraj, was brought in on Sunday as the police observer for four Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas, replacing Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, a 2017-batch IPS officer from Odisha cadre.

  The Trinamool Congress has accused Mr. Parshottamdas of serious misconduct and breach of neutrality as he allegedly met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gour Sundar Ghosh at a hotel in Diamond Harbour on April 20.

  Read the whole story here

• April 29, 2026 08:18

  PM Modi appeals to people of West Bengal to cast votes in ‘record numbers’

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people of West Bengal to cast their votes in “record numbers” in the second phase of polling that is being held on Wednesday. PM Modi particularly urged women and youth to exercise their franchise.

  “Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise,” PM Modi said in a message.

  The Prime Minister said that as vigilant citizens of the nation, it is everyone’s duty to ensure a record voter turnout to further empower democracy. “In this way, we can not only actively participate in the reconstruction of India, but also strengthen the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation,” he said.

  – PTI

• April 29, 2026 07:45

  If he is Singham then we are Pushpa: Trinamool candidate on IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma issuing warnings

  A fresh controversy has erupted in West Bengal over the appointment of Uttar Pradesh Police cadre, IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, as a police observer in South 24 Parganas after he was seen on video issuing warnings to the family of candidate Jahangir Khan of Falta constituency. 

  Officer Sharma has popularly earned the title of “Singham” for his record of crackdown on criminals in U.P. He was seen going around in various areas of South 24 Parganas, including Diamond Harbour, which is Trinamool Congress’ second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee’s bastion.

  Mr. Sharma was seen going around in an armoured vehicle with a Jammu and Kashmir number plate, along with several central force officers and doing rounds of the region carrying a list of names of “troublemakers”. He has been going door-to-door to look for these troublemakers. He has faced protests from TMC workers during these tours. 

  Read the whole story here

• April 29, 2026 07:30

  WATCH | A look at the key constituencies, candidates, and important issues in Phase 2

• April 29, 2026 07:25

  Polling begins for 142 seats in final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections

  Voting began on Wednesday in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements and a high-stakes contest that could decide whether the ruling TMC retains its dominance over southern districts or the BJP can force open the gates of power in the State.

  Polling started at 7 a.m. with voters lining up outside booths across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman — districts that together form the political and electoral core of the State.

  Unlike the first phase, where the BJP sought to defend its north Bengal gains, the final round shifts the battle squarely to the TMC’s strongest belt. In 2021, the ruling party had won 123 of these 142 seats, leaving just 18 for the BJP and one for the ISF.

  – PTI

• April 29, 2026 07:24

  41,001 polling stations, 2,400 CAPF companies deployed ahead of polling

  Ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal on Wednesday, Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta expressed confidence in the preparedness for polling.

  “The final preparation is good. We are prepared to host phase two of the elections tomorrow in 41,001 polling stations across eight districts in South Bengal. Almost 2,400 companies of CAPF are being deployed to maintain peace and law and order, and also to ensure the security of the voters…We are prepared for the worst. While we believe that the planning which has gone into phase two will bear fruit in the form of a peaceful second phase, we are prepared to face any law and order issue,” Mr. Gupta told ANI.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 07:23

  ECI transfers election official in Bengal ahead of second phase poll

  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has transferred the Joint Block Development Officer (BDO) of Falta Development Block, Sourav Hazra, and also directed the removal of two Additional District Magistrate (ADM)-rank officers from election-related duties in West Bengal ahead of the second phase of legislative assembly polls.

  The ECI has approved the transfer of Sourav Hazra, who was serving as Joint BDO, Falta Development Block and was also notified as Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for 144-Falta Assembly Constituency. He has now been transferred to Purulia Headquarters as Joint BDO and will be replaced by Ramya Bhattacharya, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the rank of Joint BDO.

  The ECI directed that the changes be implemented with immediate effect and asked for a compliance report.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 07:15

  CRPF carries out route march in Bhabanipur ahead of second phase Bengal elections

  The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday conducted a route march in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

  The second phase of polling, which includes the high-profile Bhabanipur seat, will take place tomorrow. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting from Bhabanipur

  CRPF Deputy Commandant Nil Kamal Bharadwaj said that personnel have been deployed to patrol all constituencies in Kolkata ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

  “A large number of CRPF personnel are patrolling all the constituencies of Kolkata, the routes for public movement from all the polling stations, hyper-sensitive and normal booths… If there were any goons, they have either hidden or changed their location because they are not here…” said Mr. Bharadwaj.

  – ANI

• April 29, 2026 07:03

  For two women, a fight for justice in Bengal poll contest

  Two mothers from different corners of West Bengal and from contrasting social backgrounds are contesting the Assembly elections with one aim: to bring justice for their daughters, who were killed in separate, gruesome incidents in the State.

  Click below to read more on this:

  For two women, a fight for justice in Bengal poll contest

  Two mothers turn personal tragedy into a political fight for justice in West Bengal’s Assembly elections, challenging state accountability.

• April 29, 2026 06:41

  Mamata, her Cabinet colleagues face contest in Kolkata and its suburbs

  The second phase of elections for the 142 Assembly seats in West Bengal on April 29 will decide the electoral fate of more than half a dozen Ministers of the West Bengal government, along with Chief Minister and party chairperson Mamata Banerjee.

  While the Trinamool Congress chairperson is locked in a bitter electoral contest at the Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Suvendu Adhikari, her cabinet colleagues are contesting from different seats in and around Kolkata.

  Click below to read more on this:

  Bengal elections second phase: Mamata, her Cabinet colleagues face contest in Kolkata and its suburbs

  Mamata Banerjee and her Cabinet face tough battles in Kolkata’s second phase elections, challenging BJP and Left Front candidates.

• April 29, 2026 06:33

  BJP veterans and CPI(M) youth brigade put up a challenge in Trinamool stronghold

  Bharatiya Janata Party heavyweights and Communist Party of India (Marxist) fresh faces are taking on Trinamool Congress candidates in its bastion of Kolkata and adjoining districts. 

  Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition ​Suvendu Adhikari​ is fighting from the ​Bhabanipur​ seat opposite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and ​Shrijeeb Biswas​ from the CPI(M). This has become election hotbed as Mr. Adhikari has vowed to defeat the Chief Minister from her home constituency. 

  Click below to read more on this:

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  West Bengal polls phase II: BJP veterans and CPI(M) youth brigade put up a challenge in Trinamool stronghold

  BJP veterans and CPI(M) youth challenge TMC in West Bengal’s crucial second phase of Assembly elections.

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• April 29, 2026 06:28

  West Bengal goes to the polls in the second phase of Assembly election

  Amidst elaborate​ security arrangements​, polling for the second and final phase of the ​West Bengal Assembly election​ will be held today (April 29, 2026). Voting will take place for 142 Assembly seats spread across seven districts, including Kolkata, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. About 3.21 crore voters will determine the fates of the 1,448 candidates in the election fray.

  The first phase of the election was held on 152 seats across 16 districts on April 23, when record polling of 93.2% was reported. Officials of the Election Commission of India (EC) and representatives across political parties have urged electors to come out and vote in large numbers.

  Click below to read more on this:

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  West Bengal goes to the polls in the second phase of Assembly election

  West Bengal’s second phase Assembly election features 142 seats and 1,448 candidates, with 3.21 crore voters participating.

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