Bengal Phase 2 polls: Violence, clashes reported across districts; South 24 Parganas worst-hit
Synopsis
As West Bengal's second phase polls got underway across 142 constituencies, violence broke out in at least five districts — with a BJP candidate's vehicle vandalised, a sitting MLA surrounded by rival workers, EVMs malfunctioning triggering a lathi-charge, and a police officer allegedly caught influencing voters. South 24 Parganas remained the flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Voting is underway for 142 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal's Phase 2 elections on 29 April .
AISF candidate Md Nawsad Siddique was surrounded by TMC workers at a booth in Bhangar , South 24 Parganas.
BJP candidate Vikas Sardar was allegedly attacked and his vehicle vandalised at booth 76 in Basanti .
Central forces conducted a lathi-charge in Bali, Howrah after EVM malfunctions triggered voter unrest; two arrested .
A West Bengal Police officer was allegedly spotted asking voters to vote for TMC in Karimpur, Nadia .
Clashes were reported across South 24 Parganas , North 24 Parganas , Hooghly , Howrah , and Nadia districts.
Poll-related violence and clashes between supporters of rival political parties erupted across multiple districts of West Bengal on 29 April as voting progressed in the second phase of the state Assembly elections covering 142 constituencies. South 24 Parganas emerged as the epicentre of the disturbance, with incidents also reported from North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, and Nadia districts.
Tensions in South 24 Parganas
In the Saihati area of Bhangar Assembly constituency, tensions flared when All India Secular Front (AISF) legislator and candidate Md Nawsad Siddique arrived at a polling booth. All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers reportedly began shouting slogans at him, and the situation worsened when Siddique and his companions reacted in anger. Siddique alleged that polling had been peaceful since morning but TMC workers later deliberately attempted to create unrest and disrupt the process. Central forces intervened swiftly, separating the two groups and restoring order.
At Basanti, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Vikas Sardar was allegedly attacked near booth number 76 when he went to inspect the polling station. His vehicle was vandalised, and an attempt was reportedly made to snatch the firearm of his personal security guard. Sardar alleged that central forces present at the spot failed to intervene in time. Tension continued to prevail in the area following the incident.
Clashes in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly
At Sasan in North 24 Parganas, a group of TMC activists allegedly tried to intimidate voters, reportedly triggering massive retaliation from AISF supporters and local villagers.
In Hooghly district, tensions broke out at booth number 147 of Ramchandrapur in Rajhati-1 panchayat of Khanakul after AISF-TMC clashes erupted in front of the booth. AISF supporters alleged that the ruling party had placed its own agents inside by forging polling agent forms, and that their legitimate agents were threatened and prevented from entering the booth since Tuesday night. The AISF candidate for Khanakul arrived at the scene, reportedly escalating tensions further.
Lathi-Charge in Howrah After EVM Malfunction
In Howrah district, adjacent to Kolkata, voters grew agitated after Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned at Don Bosco and Liluah Sohanlal Vidyalaya in Bali Assembly constituency. Central forces resorted to a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. Polling agents from both the Indian National Congress (Congress) and TMC were injured in the action. Two people were arrested and a large police contingent was deployed at the spot.
Police Officer Accused of Voter Influence in Nadia
At Karimpur Assembly constituency in Nadia district, a controversy erupted after a West Bengal Police officer was allegedly spotted requesting voters to cast their ballots in favour of the TMC. The incident drew sharp reactions from opposition parties and raised questions about the impartiality of state police during the polling process.
What's Next
Election authorities and central forces are monitoring the situation across all affected constituencies. With voting still underway across 142 seats, the extent of disruptions and their impact on voter turnout is expected to become clearer as the day progresses and official data is compiled.
Point of View
A BJP candidate attacked, police allegedly soliciting votes for the ruling party, and central forces resorting to lathi-charges — points to a systemic breakdown of electoral order in West Bengal, not isolated skirmishes. The allegations against a state police officer in Nadia are particularly serious: if verified, they constitute a direct subversion of the model code of conduct and warrant Election Commission intervention. The recurring nature of poll violence in Bengal across election cycles raises a deeper question about whether the state's administrative machinery can ever be genuinely neutral during elections, regardless of which party is in power.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during West Bengal Phase 2 elections on 29 April?
Violence and clashes broke out across multiple districts including South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, and Nadia during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections covering 142 constituencies. Incidents included attacks on candidates, EVM malfunctions, lathi-charges, and alleged voter intimidation.
Who is Md Nawsad Siddique and what happened to him?
Md Nawsad Siddique is the sitting AISF legislator and party candidate from Bhangar Assembly constituency. He was surrounded by TMC workers who shouted slogans at him when he visited a polling booth in the Saihati area; central forces intervened to defuse the standoff.
What happened to BJP candidate Vikas Sardar in Basanti?
BJP candidate Vikas Sardar was allegedly attacked near booth number 76 in Basanti, South 24 Parganas, when he went to inspect the polling station. His vehicle was vandalised and an attempt was reportedly made to snatch the firearm of his personal security guard.
Why was a lathi-charge conducted in Bali, Howrah?
Central forces resorted to a lathi-charge in Bali Assembly constituency after EVMs malfunctioned at Don Bosco and Liluah Sohanlal Vidyalaya booths, causing voters to become agitated. Two people were arrested and Congress and TMC polling agents were reportedly injured in the action.
What was the allegation against the police officer in Nadia?
A West Bengal Police officer in Karimpur Assembly constituency, Nadia district, was allegedly spotted requesting voters to cast their votes in favour of the TMC — an allegation that, if proven, would constitute a serious violation of electoral conduct norms.
