West Bengal is voting today in the first phase of assembly elections across 152 seats, with about 3.6 crore voters deciding the fate of 1,452 to 1,478 candidates. The contest pits BJP against Trinamool Congress in a high-stakes battle, particularly in north Bengal where BJP has been strong. The Election Commission has deployed record central forces for security.
Voting began at 7 a.m. on Thursday across 152 assembly seats in 16 districts of West Bengal, spanning eight in north Bengal and eight in south Bengal. In 2021, BJP won 59 of these seats while TMC secured 92-93. About 3.6 crore electors are participating to decide the fate of 1,452 to 1,478 candidates.
The phase is crucial for both parties. For BJP, maintaining a lead in north Bengal—where it won strongly last time—is vital, with Amit Shah leading efforts. TMC, under Mamata Banerjee, aims for a fourth term and seeks to curb BJP's surge. In Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, BJP focuses on Hindu vote polarization.
A history of poll violence heightens tensions: 17 deaths in 2021 assembly polls, 45 in 2023 panchayat elections. The Election Commission deployed a record 2,450 companies of central forces, nearly 2.5 lakh personnel. Measures include a 96-hour alcohol ban and nighttime bike restrictions.
In constituencies like Kharagpur Sadar, BJP's Dilip Ghosh faces TMC's Pradip Sarkar amid voter concerns over jobs and amenities. Phase two polls are on April 29, with counting on May 4.
