Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: TMC supremo and candidate from Bhabanipur Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to “forcefully rig” the West Bengal assembly elections as voting got underway in the crucial second and final phase across 142 constituencies.West Bengal assembly polls 2026 — follow live updates Addressing reporters in Kolkata, Banerjee alleged widespread interference by central forces and poll observers. “Votes will be cast by voters, not by the police or security forces… the BJP wants to forcefully rig the election,” she said, claiming that officials brought in from outside the state were acting at the BJP’s behest. She further alleged that CRPF personnel vandalised the home of a councillor and that TMC workers were attacked overnight, describing the situation as “terrorism” and “hooliganism”.BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari meanwhile urged voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers. Locked in a direct contest with Banerjee in Bhabanipur, Adhikari expressed confidence in the party’s prospects and called the election a decisive moment for the state.Adhikari also criticised Banerjee’s presence with a large entourage, stating that while she has the right to visit polling booths as a candidate, she should not be accompanied by so many people. He alleged that her supporters were attempting to intimidate voters.“Mamata Banerjee is a candidate today, and she has the right to visit polling booths, but why is she here with so many of her people? I am also visiting booths with only my bodyguards, she should do the same. She has brought so many people to spread fear,” he said.TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also raised concerns over the conduct of election observers, accusing them of flouting guidelines and acting under political pressure. He said such “tricks” would not affect the final outcome and predicted that the BJP’s seat tally would fall sharply, pointing to past elections where its projections failed to materialise.Polling began at 7am across key districts including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas, with voters queuing up early at several booths. More than 3.2 crore electors are eligible to vote, with 41,001 polling stations under tight security and webcasting surveillance.Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters to turn out in record numbers, particularly urging women and young people to participate and strengthen democracy.The phase is seen as decisive, covering the TMC’s traditional stronghold in south Bengal, where it had dominated in 2021. For the BJP, making gains here remains critical to mounting a serious challenge. Voting will continue till 6pm, with results due on May 4.
