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West Bengal records 61.11 per cent turnout till 1 pm in phase 2

West Bengal has recorded 61.11 per cent voter turnout till 1 pm in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections. 

PM Modi says Bengal voting happening in “fearless” atmosphere

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the ongoing voting in West Bengal reflects a shift in the electoral climate, describing it as markedly different from earlier decades.

Speaking after inaugurating the Ganga Expressway, Modi pointed to high participation in the second phase of polling across 142 constituencies. “Voting for the second phase is underway in Bengal… people stepping out in large numbers,” he said, noting visuals of long queues at polling stations.

He described the atmosphere as unprecedented. “What we are witnessing in Bengal today is… a fearless environment where people are voting without fear,” he said, adding that such conditions were “difficult to imagine in the past six to seven decades.”

Calling the turnout a sign of democratic strength, Modi said, “I express my gratitude to the great people of Bengal.”

With polling still in progress, he urged voters to continue participating, adding that the results on May 4 would “further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.”

Suvendu raises slogans amid TMC protest at booth

West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari was seen raising slogans as he exited a polling booth during voting on Wednesday.

Adhikari chanted “Jai Sri Ram” and “Hindu Hindu bhai bhai” while leaving the premises, drawing attention from those gathered outside. At the same location, Trinamool Congress supporters surrounded him and responded with sloganeering of their own.

The brief exchange unfolded amid polling activity, adding to the charged atmosphere around the booth. There were no immediate reports of any physical confrontation, though tensions were visible as rival groups voiced their slogans in close proximity.

Watch: Sourav Ganguly, wife Dona cast votes in South 24 Parganas

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife Dona Ganguly cast their votes at a polling booth in South 24 Parganas.

Bengal BJP leaders cite high turnout, signal push for change

Senior BJP leaders on Wednesday pointed to what they described as strong voter participation across West Bengal, arguing that the turnout reflects a mood for change in the state.

State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, senior leader Dilip Ghosh and actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty shared similar assessments while speaking to reporters.

Ghosh said the deployment of central forces had changed the ground situation. “TMC goons used to attack opposition candidates and intimidate voters previously, but they can't anymore,” he said, adding that a “violence-free and fear-free atmosphere” now prevailed.

Bhattacharya echoed the sentiment. “After 50 years, people of West Bengal have voted in such a way… Everyone has come forward to cast their votes,” he said.

Thakur dismissed allegations against central agencies, saying, “Mamata Didi's game is over.”

Chakraborty, who voted in Belgachia, said, “I do not want any facility. I voted like a common voter,” adding that turnout trends could indicate a shift in power.

BJP candidate Ratna Debnath flags women’s safety after casting vote

BJP’s Panihati candidate Ratna Debnath cast her vote in Sodepur on Wednesday, placing women’s safety at the centre of her campaign as polling continued in North 24 Parganas.

Debnath, whose daughter was the victim in the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, said the issue remains unresolved and continues to raise questions. “The TMC failed to address the worsening law and order situation in the state. Only one arrest has been made in the RG Kar case. How did the accused get access to a secure place supposedly guarded by hospital security?” she told reporters.

Linking her campaign to broader concerns, she said, “Apart from my daughter, hundreds of women have also been facing atrocities in West Bengal under the TMC rule. My priority is women's safety.”

Expressing confidence in the contest, she added, “We have to ensure that not a single vote is lost.”

Voting was underway across 142 constituencies in the second phase, following a record turnout in the first round.

Clashes, intimidation claims mar polling in Nadia’s Chapra

Violence broke out in Nadia’s Hatra Bazaar area on Wednesday morning during Phase 2 polling, with clashes reported near a booth set up at a primary school. Police said several people were detained following the incident.

Congress candidate from Chapra, Ashif Khan, alleged that Trinamool Congress workers were intimidating voters and blocking opposition presence. He claimed booth agents were stopped from entering polling stations and threatened at their homes.

BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar also raised concerns, saying, “Chapra is a minority-dominated area where 'gundagardi' happens with help from TMC… We are demanding strict action in this incident.”

ISF leader Nawsad Siddique alleged intimidation since the previous night. “Bombs have also been thrown in some places… the people of Bhangar will not be intimidated,” he said.

Polling continued amid tension, with turnout nearing 40 per cent by late morning.

BJP candidate and mother of RG Kar rape victim Ratna Debnath alleges abuse, threats by TMC workers

Ratna Debnath, the BJP candidate from Panihati and mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, on Wednesday alleged that she was verbally abused and threatened by Trinamool Congress supporters during campaigning.

Recounting the incident, Ratna Debnath said the confrontation quickly turned hostile. “TMC goons who tried to attack me were using abusive language. They said I was doing business in my daughter's name,” she said, describing the remarks directed at her.

She further alleged intimidation, adding, “They misbehaved with me and said that they would see me on 4th May.” Debnath said she approached the police seeking action against those involved. “I complained to the police and demanded their arrest, but the police asked me to leave the spot,” she claimed.

According to her, even her request for assistance was denied. “I asked them to allow my Chief Election Agent to be with me, but they did not allow it,” she said, adding that police later cleared the area after her complaint.'

Chapra BJP candidate alleges attack on polling agent

BJP candidate from Chapra in West Bengal's Nadia distrct Saikat Sarkar, on Wednesday alleged that one of his polling agents was attacked while on his way to a booth, raising concerns over safety during voting.

Describing the incident, Sarkar said the attack took place early in the morning. “At around 6 in the morning, our agent Musharraf Mir was going to booth number 53,” he said, outlining the sequence of events leading up to the alleged assault.

He accused supporters linked to the rival camp of carrying out the attack. “At that time, the TMC candidate, his goon Mufizul, and other people came together and hit him on the forehead from behind with a gun, a rod,” Sarkar claimed.

According to him, the injured agent required medical attention. “He suffered six stitches, so he is still in the hospital,” he said, adding that a complaint had been lodged with the police.

“We want free and fair elections...” Sarkar said.

Repoll likely if EVM tampering claims are verified: West Bengal CEO

West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer said on Wednesday that any confirmed tampering with EVM buttons would trigger fresh polling, responding to allegations raised by the BJP in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency.

“If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” the CEO said, indicating that action would depend on verification.

The statement followed claims by BJP leader Amit Malviya, who alleged that voters were unable to select his party’s candidate at multiple booths. “In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice,” he said, describing it as the “Diamond Harbour Model.”

The constituency has seen a repeat contest between BJP’s Dipak Kumar Halder and TMC’s Panna Lal Halder.

Polling for 142 seats continued through the day, with voter turnout reaching nearly 40 per cent by 11 am, according to official figures.