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Farooq Abdullah questions trust in Bengalis during polls

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday raised concerns over the scale of central involvement in West Bengal elections, asking, “Is Bengali not being trusted.” He objected to the heavy deployment of central forces and the transfer of officials, and criticised the language used against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling it “unparliamentary and not befitting this nation.”

Stressing that democracy depends on trust, he said, “If you want a strong India, then Bengalis have the right to choose their leadership without being coerced.” He questioned whether people were being treated as “outsiders” in their own country. Referring to security deployments, he asked, “What for? Is the Bengali not trusted?”

“I pity the Election Commission…” he said, warning that rising communal tensions, not separatism, pose the greater threat. “We will never become Vishwaguru unless we are united.”

78.68 per cent turnout recorded till 3 pm in final phase of Bengal polls 2026

Voter participation in the second and concluding phase of the 2026 West Bengal elections was estimated at 78.68 per cent by 3pm. 

TMC candidate Kunal Ghosh flags slow polling, backs Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress candidate from Beleghata, Kunal Ghosh, on Wednesday said voter sentiment remained firmly in favour of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, even as he flagged concerns over the pace of polling.

“The people are in support of Didi,” he said, suggesting that backing for the ruling party was visible on the ground. At the same time, he attributed delays at polling stations to administrative lapses. “But due to the mismanagement of the Election Commission, the polling is taking place slowly,” he added, pointing to long queues and waiting times.

Referring to earlier exercises, Ghosh said, “People were in queues for the SIR, and now, because of EC's mismanagement. This should not happen.”

Despite the delays, he noted steady participation from key groups. “Women voters and senior citizen voters are coming forward to vote, and this is a good sign,” he said.

Watch: TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim casts vote with family in Kolkata

West Bengal minister and Firhad Hakim casts his vote with family at Booth 258 in Chetla Girls’ High School, Kolkata.

Tension in Bhangar as ISF alleges voter intimidation

Tension lingered across parts of South 24 Parganas, particularly in Bhangar and adjoining areas, as voting progressed in the second phase of West Bengal’s Assembly elections on Wednesday. The Indian Secular Front (ISF) accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of attempting to influence the process by intimidating polling agents.

Security presence was stepped up in sensitive pockets, with teams from the National Investigation Agency deployed alongside central forces and state police. The move followed the recent recovery of crude bombs in Bhangar, which prompted a central probe.

ISF candidate Arabul Islam alleged interference at booths. “Votes are being looted in Canning Purba. Our agents… are being driven out,” he said.

ISF chairman Nawsad Siddique struck a mixed note. “The people of Bhangar are finally exercising their democratic rights,” he said, while also alleging threats to party workers.

The TMC rejected the claims, accusing the ISF of trying to disrupt polling.

Goyal cites 61 per cent turnout, says Mamata's days as CM are numbered

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday pointed to the high voter turnout in West Bengal as evidence of what he described as an improved polling environment.

Referring to participation levels by early afternoon, Goyal said, “61% voting till 1 pm shows how voluntary, free and fair voting has taken place,” crediting measures put in place by the Election Commission for enabling voters to step out without hesitation.

He suggested that such conditions were a departure from previous elections. “People in West Bengal were able to go to vote fearlessly, perhaps for the first time,” he said.

Goyal also framed the turnout as a reflection of political sentiment in the state. “Certainly, Mamata Banerjee's days as a Chief Minister are numbered now,” he said, adding that voters were seeking change.

“The people of West Bengal want development… the anger is visible in the votes,” he said.

Ink row at Panihati booth, BJP cries foul, clash reported

At a polling station in Panihati, confusion was reported after a blot of ink was found on the BJP symbol’s button on the EVM, making it difficult to identify. The issue drew objections from party representatives, after which the mark was reportedly cleaned using sanitiser. Voting was briefly affected, with locals said to have waited for nearly an hour. During this time, TMC workers gathered at the spot, and a confrontation was reported involving the BJP candidate’s chief election agent, Jay Saha.

Later, BJP candidate Ratna Debnath alleged she had been targeted earlier in the day. “TMC workers intensely targeted me earlier today. They sent goons who attacked me while shouting 'go back' slogans,” she said, claiming the police did not act on her complaints.

Raising concerns over the EVM issue, she added, “ink has been put on BJP button on the EVM. How will the public be able to vote?”

Adhir Chowdhury flags violence, says turnout remains strong

Congress candidate from Baharampur, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Wednesday said incidents of unrest during elections in West Bengal were not unexpected, placing responsibility on the ruling party.

“It is impossible to expect elections in Bengal to be free of violence. We expected this from the ruling party's side,” he said, reflecting on the prevailing conditions during polling.

At the same time, Chowdhury pointed to steady voter participation despite such concerns. “Still, people in large numbers are participating in the elections,” he noted, suggesting that turnout remained strong across constituencies.

He attributed this to the presence of central security forces, which he said had reassured voters. “The common people feel that they will be able to vote because Central Forces have been deployed in large numbers here,” he said.

Emphasising voter confidence, he added, “Common people are participating in the elections by without fear...”

CEO says Bengal polling peaceful, turnout may surpass phase 1

West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Wednesday said the second phase of polling was proceeding without major disruption, attributing it to heightened security and continuous monitoring across constituencies.

With over 60 per cent of the 3.21 crore electorate having voted by 1 pm, Agarwal expressed confidence that participation could rival or surpass the first phase, which saw an unusually high turnout. “In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible,” he said, suggesting similar momentum this time.

He maintained that arrangements on the ground were holding steady. “There is proper deployment of CAPF… Voting is taking place completely peacefully,” he said, even as isolated incidents were reported from some pockets.

Agarwal also made a direct appeal to voters who had yet to step out. “Everyone should vote,” he said, urging residents across all localities, including high-rise complexes, to take part in the process.

‘Singham’ cop Sharma on patrol as Falta row heats up

Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma moved through parts of South 24 Parganas on Wednesday, overseeing security arrangements during the second phase of polling in West Bengal, officials said.

Sharma, a Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer, has drawn attention in recent days for his assertive presence in Diamond Harbour, a politically sensitive zone associated with Abhishek Banerjee. His actions, aimed at preventing intimidation and violence, triggered protests from Trinamool Congress workers, who accused him of overreach.

Despite the pushback, Sharma continued field visits, coordinating with central forces and monitoring booths where voters queued from early morning. He also held a closed-door meeting with CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh to review deployment and logistics.

The CRPF later said its chief “interacted directly with the troops on duty… reviewing the security apparatus,” adding the visit boosted morale.

Amid this, BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged tampering at Falta booths, calling it the “Diamond Harbour Model.” Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “The Election Commission has also taken cognisance… This is TMC's technique.”

The TMC countered with allegations of excesses by central forces.