West Bengal polls Phase 2: Voting underway in 142 seats amid mild tension
Synopsis
Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 is underway across 142 seats, but the first hour has already thrown up flashpoints — Mamata Banerjee's brother cautioned by central forces in Bhabanipur, Congress alleging TMC hooliganism in Rashbehari, and a sitting MLA protesting in Singur since the night before. With 2,407 companies deployed, the scale of the security apparatus itself signals how contested this phase is.
Key Takeaways
Polling for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Phase 2 began at 7 am on 29 April across 142 constituencies in six districts .
Kartik Banerjee , brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee , was cautioned by central forces in Bhabanipur for assembling with excess persons near a police station.
Congress alleged TMC 'hooliganism' in Rashbehari constituency , claiming booth agents were barred from entering polling booths.
Outgoing TMC MLA Bencharam Manna staged a protest at Singur in Hooghly district , alleging security force excesses.
An EVM malfunction delayed polling at a booth in Santipur, Nadia district .
2,407 companies of central forces have been deployed; webcasting is active at all polling stations.
Polling for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 commenced at 7 am on Wednesday, 29 April, covering 142 constituencies across six districts, including the state capital Kolkata. The exercise is being conducted under an unprecedented security cover of 2,407 companies of central forces, though mild tension was reported from several pockets within the very first hour of voting.
Tension in Bhabanipur and Rashbehari
In the high-stakes Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata — where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is locked in a direct contest against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari — the Chief Minister's brother, Kartik Banerjee, was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with more than the permitted number of companions. Central forces directed him not to gather near any polling station with more than four persons at a time.
At the adjacent Rashbehari constituency, also in South Kolkata, mild tension broke out following allegations that activists of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) were preventing Congress booth agents from entering a specific polling booth. The Congress formally alleged 'hooliganism' by TMC workers at the start of the polling process.
Singur Unrest and EVM Snag
Tension had already prevailed at Singur in Hooghly district since Tuesday night, with outgoing TMC legislator Bencharam Manna staging a protest demonstration in front of the local police station, alleging excesses by security forces. Separately, polling at a booth in Santipur Assembly constituency in Nadia district began late due to an EVM malfunction. Mandatory mock polling was conducted at all booths before the actual process began, and webcasting is being carried out across all polling stations.
PM Modi Urges Record Turnout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning issued a social media post calling on voters in the 142 constituencies to participate in large numbers.
Point of View
407 companies of central forces is itself a statement of institutional distrust in the state's own law enforcement. Whether that deployment translates into genuinely free voting — or merely shifts the locus of pressure — is the real question that results day will begin to answer.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which seats are voting in West Bengal Assembly Elections Phase 2?
Phase 2 covers 142 constituencies across six districts — North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Nadia, East Burdwan, and the state capital Kolkata. Polling began at 7 am on 29 April 2026.
What happened in Bhabanipur during Phase 2 polling?
Kartik Banerjee, brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with more than the permitted number of companions. Central forces instructed that no more than four persons may gather near a polling station at a time.
Why did Congress allege hooliganism in Rashbehari?
Congress alleged that TMC activists were preventing their booth agents from entering a specific polling booth in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency in South Kolkata at the very start of the polling process on 29 April 2026.
How many central forces are deployed for West Bengal Phase 2 elections?
A total of 2,407 companies of central forces have been deployed, comprising Central Armed Police Forces, India Reserve Battalion personnel, and armed police from other states, in addition to West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police.
What did PM Modi say about West Bengal Phase 2 polling?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a social media post on the morning of 29 April 2026 urging voters in the 142 constituencies to cast their votes in record numbers, with a specific appeal to women and youth to exercise their voting rights.
