LIVE: Exit polls predict UDF in Kerala; Stalin, Himanta look set to stay; TMC shaky

TMC-BJP clash at polling booth in North 24 Paraganas district

Violence broke out at a polling booth in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday as voting continued in the second and final phase of elections in West Bengal. The clash occurred at Booth No. 120 in the Arabinda Rally area, where supporters of the TMC and the BJP confronted each other.

Local reports indicated that tensions escalated quickly, disrupting the atmosphere around the polling station. Arjun Singh, a BJP leader and former Member of Parliament, was present at the site during the incident.

Polling in the constituency was otherwise underway amid tight security arrangements.

CRPF DG says 500 CAPF companies to be in Bengal after polls

CRPF DG G P Singh reiterated on Wednesday that central forces will continue to remain in West Bengal beyond polling, pointing to an earlier directive. “As mentioned earlier, 500 companies of CAPF would stay in West Bengal, after the polling, till further orders,” he wrote, adding that a “relevant extracted portion of the order of March 19th 2026 is attached.”

In an earlier message dated April 25, Singh had underlined the force’s role during the election cycle. “We remain committed to free, fair and transparent second phase of polling as well in West Bengal Assembly Election 2026,” he said, noting that instructions had been passed down the chain of command. “It has also been conveyed to all Force Commanders that 500 Companies of CAPF would remain stationed in West Bengal after the election process, till further orders.”

89.99% voter turnout recorded in Bengal's second phase till 5 pm

West Bengal has recorded an approximate voter turnout of 89.99% till 5 pm in the second and final phase of assembly elections today, election officials said. Voting is still under way in several constituencies. The final turnout figure is expected to rise once polling concludes. Results for all five poll-bound states--West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry--will be declared on May 4.

89.99% approximate voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in the second and final phase of West Bengal elections 2026. pic.twitter.com/A6M9NCkC98

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Watch: CEO Manoj Agarwal casts vote at Kolkata polling station

West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal reaches a polling station in Kolkata to cast his vote.

TMC's Shashi Panja alleges disruptions at Shyampukur booths

TMC leader Shashi Panja and Shyampukur candidate, said polling in her constituency proceeded smoothly overall but was punctuated by disruptions she attributed to rival workers.

“Voting is going very well in my constituency,” she said, before alleging attempts to interfere with the process. “We noticed that in our area, the agents of the opposition party were trying to create a ruckus in many places… They were going to various booths and creating an atmosphere that would slow down the polling process or even stop polling.”

She claimed the situation affected turnout in pockets. “There are many people who didn't get a chance to vote this time,” Panja said. Referring to confrontations at some locations, she added, “The opposition candidate's behaviour… and then the police coming and lathi-charging, hurting other party members… All this was unnecessary.”

TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh alleges excess by the Centralforces in Bengal polling

TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh on Wednesday accused central forces of using excessive force near a polling booth in South 24 Parganas during voting in West Bengal. In a social media post, she described the episode as “unbelievable violence,” alleging that women were baton-charged and that personnel went on “hitting and injuring a child.”

Calling the incident serious, she said, “This is unacceptable. Those responsible must be brought before the law,” while also directing criticism at Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

Election officials offered a different account. A senior Election Commission of India official said security forces acted after repeated warnings failed to disperse a crowd outside a booth in Falta’s Belsingh area. “After repeated appeals to disperse, the forces took action… and detained two persons,” the official said. A report has been sought, with action promised if wrongdoing is established.

Akhilesh Yadav alleges ‘parallel system’ in Bengal polls

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday alleged that polling in West Bengal was being influenced by what he termed a “parallel administrative structure” built around central forces. “What we are witnessing is that a parallel structure has been set up… From top to bottom, an entirely separate chain of command has been established,” he said, pointing to what he claimed was interference even in senior police positions.

He alleged that some officials were acting under pressure or inducement. “There are officers… who have already been given benefits, or have been assured of future gains,” he said.

Backing Mamata Banerjee, he added, “In Bengal, ‘Didi’ is going to win with historic votes.” He urged voters to stay alert, saying, “Those who are using officers to commit injustice should be defeated through votes.”

Mamata Banerjee alleges 'atrocities' by central forces

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the central forces, deployed for assembly polls, were working in favour of the BJP and claimed that the ongoing state elections were not being conducted in a free and fair manner.

After casting her vote at Mitra Institution school in her Bhabanipur constituency, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the central forces, alleging that her party workers and polling agents were being intimidated and driven out of booths.

“The atrocities by the central forces are unprecedented. What is happening is not at all free and fair polls,” she said.

The TMC supremo alleged that central forces, instead of performing their constitutional duty, were being used for partisan political purposes.

“Central forces are supposed to guard the country’s borders, but instead they are working for a particular party,” she said, without naming the BJP.

Banerjee also accused the forces of harassing voters and TMC workers across several constituencies.

“The central forces are torturing common people. It is like brutalising the democracy. Is this an example of free and fair polls?” she asked.

Banerjee claimed that TMC workers were being targeted.

“They have assaulted so many of our cadres and have forced our polling agents to leave the booths,” Banerjee alleged.

Firhad Hakim questions ECI, says SIR causing voter fear

Questioning the conduct of the Election Commission of India, Firhad Hakim said delays and new measures such as SIR have unsettled voters. “It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to see that unnecessary delay does not happen,” he remarked, adding that the institution is publicly funded and must remain impartial. “Supporting BJP is not the task of the Election Commission… Ensuring free and fair elections is the duty… and I think they have failed in it to some extent.”

He pointed to unease among voters, linking it to recent changes in the polling process. “Voters are scared of SIR and other new things… This is why the voters are coming out to vote to reinforce the message that they are Indians.”

Earlier, the West Bengal minister and All India Trinamool Congress candidate from Kolkata Port spoke about voting as a shared family act. “Every time, I, along with my family, go to cast my vote,” he said, recalling how he brings his granddaughter along.

Hakim also mentioned receiving a late-night call. “I got a call at 1 am… It was a kind of a threat.”

BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal alleges assault at Entally booth

Tension briefly flared at a polling booth in Kolkata’s Entally on Wednesday after Priyanka Tibrewal, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, accused rival workers of intimidation and overcrowding inside the voting room.

According to Tibrewal, the setup inside the booth compromised voter secrecy. “In a small room where polling was taking place, there were six TMC polling agents and one each from BJP, CPI(M), Congress and an Independent,” she said, adding that officials were also present, leaving the space congested. “They were practically sitting on the EVM, and there was no privacy for voters.”

She said she raised the issue with central forces and the presiding officer, after which instructions were issued to clear the room. The situation did not ease, she alleged. “However, TMC agents did not leave and tried to assault me,” Tibrewal said, describing the confrontation that followed.