During West Bengal’s phase 2 polling in Panihati, BJP candidate Ratna Debnath alleged intimidation by TMC workers, while her husband also reported being confronted. BJP’s chief election agent accused the TMC of influencing voters, and Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari faced similar claims of attacks. With polling underway for 142 seats, security has been tightened across areas.
Phase 2 polling in West Bengal, covering 142 seats, is marked by fresh allegations from BJP candidates. Basanti candidate Bikash Sardar claims his vehicle was attacked, while in Nadia a BJP booth worker was assaulted. The battle remains centered on Trinamool Congress versus BJP, with leaders including Abhishek Banerjee casting their votes as voting percentages are tracked across districts.
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West Bengal’s Phase 2 Assembly polling began amid reports of EVM malfunctions. Polling was disrupted in several constituencies including Jadavpur, Sonarpur, Ranaghat and Krishnanagar when machines stopped working. In Howrah’s Bally, an EVM glitch escalated into a clash, leading security personnel to detain individuals. Voting was temporarily halted at some locations.
West Bengal’s phase 2 polling shows women voters outnumbering men in 23 assembly seats, a pattern seen already in phase 1. The shift is most visible in urban areas around Kolkata and Salt Lake, where several constituencies record a sizable female surplus. Election data also points to consistently higher turnout among women than men.
Ahead of phase two assembly polls in West Bengal, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer said local administration is monitoring sensitive areas and that there is “nothing to hide” because everything is recorded. He urged voters to stay tension-free, citing a mix of police and CAPF presence, with officials reportedly going on on-ground observation to ensure issues are addressed promptly.
West Bengal is set for Phase 2 of its 2026 Assembly elections, with voting across 142 constituencies in seven districts. A total of 1,448 candidates are in the fray, making the battle wide and crowded. The headline fight is Bhabanipur, where Mamata Banerjee takes on Suvendu Adhikari, alongside other major contests featuring prominent leaders.
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