West Bengal Phase 2 Polling Underway; Violence Reported in Multiple Areas

Kolkata: The second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly election is underway today, with voting taking place across 142 constituencies in seven districts of South Bengal. Around 3.21 crore voters are exercising their franchise, with 1,448 candidates in the fray. The principal contest is between the Left Front, Trinamool Congress, and BJP, with Congress fielding candidates across constituencies but mounting serious challenges only in select seats.

Out of approximately 40,000 polling booths, 12,000 have been identified as sensitive, prompting massive security arrangements. Around 2.5 lakh Central Armed Forces personnel have been deployed across the state, and National Investigation Agency teams are camping in eight districts to monitor the situation. Around 2,500 persons suspected of being troublemakers were taken into preventive custody ahead of polling.

Violence Mars Polling

Reports of violence have emerged from several locations. In Panihati, North 24 Parganas, four CPI(M) workers were attacked by BJP supporters. CPI(M) candidate Kalatan Das Gupta led a protest march to Panihati police station and filed a complaint with the Election Commission. Clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers were also reported at several other locations.

Exit poll results for West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry will be released on Wednesday, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier stated that Central forces would remain in Bengal for 60 days after the conclusion of polling.