Bengal phase-2 polls underway; BJP claims strong majority as Ganga Expressway opens
Synopsis
West Bengal's second and final phase of Assembly elections is underway across 142 constituencies, with BJP claiming momentum beyond caste and religion. Simultaneously, PM Modi inaugurates the 594-km Ganga Expressway in Hardoi — a ₹36,230 crore infrastructure milestone linking 12 UP districts.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal phase-2 polling is underway across 142 constituencies in 6 districts , including Kolkata , as of 29 April .
Voter turnout stood at 18.39% till 9 AM ; mild tension reported in some pockets with security forces deployed.
UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak claimed BJP is heading towards a strong majority , citing cross-caste and cross-religion support for PM Modi's policies.
PM Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi at around 11:30 AM .
The Ganga Expressway is a 594-km , 6-lane greenfield corridor built at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore , passing through 12 UP districts .
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday, 29 April claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was heading towards a strong mandate in the ongoing second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that voters were rallying behind the party's policies beyond caste and religious lines. His remarks came as polling progressed across 142 constituencies in six districts, including state capital Kolkata.
Voter Turnout and Ground Situation
Early figures from polling stations placed voter turnout at 18.39% till 9 AM, as voting began at 7 AM across the constituencies covered in this second and final phase of the two-phase Assembly polls. Mild tension was reported in certain pockets from the outset, prompting authorities to deploy security forces across sensitive areas to ensure smooth conduct and maintain order at polling stations.
What BJP Said
Pathak said,
Point of View
The Ganga Expressway inauguration on the same day as a major election phase is a reminder of how infrastructure announcements and electoral cycles remain tightly intertwined in Indian politics. Whether the 594-km corridor delivers on its economic promise depends on last-mile connectivity and industrial uptake across the 12 districts it passes through — not on the inauguration itself.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West Bengal phase-2 election about?
The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections covers 142 constituencies across six districts, including Kolkata. Voting began at 7 AM on 29 April, with early turnout recorded at 18.39% till 9 AM.
What did UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak say about BJP's prospects in Bengal?
Brajesh Pathak claimed that BJP was moving forward with a strong majority in West Bengal, asserting that voters were supporting PM Modi's policies beyond caste and religious lines. These are BJP's own claims and have not been independently verified.
What is the Ganga Expressway and why is it significant?
The Ganga Expressway is a 594-kilometre, 6-lane (expandable to 8 lanes) greenfield high-speed corridor built at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore. It connects 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh — from Meerut in the west to Prayagraj in the east — linking western, central, and eastern UP through a continuous high-speed route.
Which districts does the Ganga Expressway pass through?
The expressway passes through Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj — covering 12 districts across Uttar Pradesh.
Was there any tension reported during Bengal phase-2 voting?
Mild tension was reported in certain pockets from the beginning of polling on 29 April. Authorities deployed security forces across sensitive areas to ensure smooth conduct and maintain order at polling stations.
