Unprecedented security arrangements are in place as polling began across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Wednesday.
Voting commenced at 7 am in key districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman—regions that form the electoral core of the state.
These districts are considered strongholds of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), making this phase a crucial test for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC secured 123 of these 142 seats, while the BJP won 18 and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) claimed one.
According to reports, long queues had already formed outside polling stations in several constituencies by as early as 6:30 am. With weathermen forecasting intense heat later in the day, many voters—especially women and first-time electors—arrived early to cast their votes.
Bhabanipur, the political bastion of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, remains the focal point of this phase. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has mounted a strong challenge for the TMC chief, turning the contest into a high-stakes battle. The BJP is aiming to replicate its 2021 success in Nandigram, where Adhikari defeated Banerjee.
Other key constituencies going to polls include Kolkata Port, Bhatpara, Jagatdal, Barrackpore, Bangaon, Dum Dum, Sandeshkhali, Ranaghat Uttar and Dakshin, Rashbehari, Jadavpur, and Ballygunge.
To ensure smooth voting, 2,321 companies of central forces have been deployed across the seven districts, with Kolkata alone receiving 273 companies. All 41,001 polling stations are under webcasting surveillance.
A total of 3.21 crore voters are eligible to cast their vote in this phase, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender electors.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls remained as the major point of contention during the campaign. The TMC alleged that the process aimed at targeted disenfranchisement of minorities, migrants, and economically disadvantaged Bengali-speaking voters.
As part of the revision, over 12.6 lakh names were removed in North 24 Parganas, 10.91 lakh in South 24 Parganas, and nearly 6.97 lakh in Kolkata.
The first phase of polling, held on April 23, recorded a turnout of 93.19 percent—the highest ever in the state. Votes will be counted on May 4.