Mamata accuses BJP of trying to rig West Bengal polls on Phase 2 voting day
Synopsis
On the day of West Bengal's Phase 2 polling, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the BJP and central forces, alleging a midnight CRPF raid on a TMC councillor's home and systematic pressure on election observers — escalating the TMC-BJP confrontation to its sharpest point this election season.
Key Takeaways
CM Mamata Banerjee alleged on 29 April that the BJP is attempting to "forcefully rig" the West Bengal Assembly elections .
She claimed CRPF personnel raided her party's Ward 70 councillor's home at 2 a.m. , assaulting his wife and children.
Voting is underway across 142 seats in six districts including Kolkata , Hooghly , and Nadia .
2,407 companies of central forces are deployed for the second phase, with CCTV and webcasting at all booths.
Tension reported in Bhabanipur , Rashbehari , and Singur ; an EVM malfunction delayed polling in Santipur .
PM Modi urged voters, especially women and youth, to turn out in record numbers.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, 29 April alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to "forcefully rig" the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, claiming that election observers "brought from outside" were visiting police stations and "creating pressure" on polling day. Her remarks came as voting got underway across 142 constituencies in six districts in the second phase of the two-phase state polls.
Mamata's Allegations Against Central Forces
Speaking to reporters after visiting polling booths in South Kolkata, Banerjee alleged that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was "beaten up" on Tuesday night. She further claimed that the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) was acting "at the behest of the BJP" and assaulting TMC workers and leaders.
"See how our worker was beaten up at night... Look at this atrocity... What is this hooliganism? This is not how voting is conducted; it is conducted peacefully. Voting is a festival of democracy. But they (the BJP) have completely ruined it. The intention is very clear that the BJP wants to forcefully rig the election. Our workers and people are ready to die, but they will not leave the place," Banerjee told reporters.
She also alleged that election observers were targeting TMC agents at booths. "Observers are going to police stations and creating pressure. Some observers are targeting TMC agents... The atrocities that were committed last night, I was awake the entire night," she said.
CRPF Raid Allegation at Councillor's Home
In a particularly sharp allegation, Banerjee claimed that a team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel visited the home of her party's Ward 70 councillor at around 2 a.m. without state police, and allegedly assaulted the councillor's wife and children, snatched their phones, and warned the councillor against continuing party work. "I can show you the proof," she stated. The CRPF has not issued an immediate public response to the allegations.
Ground Situation: Tension in Key Constituencies
Polling began at 7 a.m. across 142 seats in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Nadia, and East Burdwan districts, with mild tension reported from the first hour in certain pockets.
In the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency — where Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition — the Chief Minister's brother, Kartik Banerjee, was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with more companions than the permitted number. In the adjacent Rashbehari constituency, the Indian National Congress (Congress) alleged that TMC activists were preventing its booth agents from entering a polling station, calling it "hooliganism" by the ruling party.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed at Singur in Hooghly district since Tuesday night, with outgoing TMC legislator Bencharam Manna staging a protest in front of the local police station over alleged excesses by security forces. In Santipur in Nadia district, polling at one booth started late due to an EVM malfunction.
Security Cover and BJP's Response
The second phase is being conducted under heavy security, with 2,407 companies of central forces — including CAPF, India Reserve Battalion personnel, and armed police from other states — deployed alongside West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. CCTV cameras have been installed at booths, and webcasting is live at all polling stations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning urged voters in the 142 constituencies to turn out in record numbers. "Today is the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026. I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory. In particular, it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights," his social media post read.
What Happens Next
With the second phase now underway, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be closely monitoring reports of violations across the six districts. Banerjee's allegations, if formally submitted to the ECI, could trigger an inquiry into the conduct of central forces — a flashpoint that has defined TMC-BJP contest narratives in successive election cycles.
Point of View
And the Supreme Court had to intervene then. What is notable this time is the specificity: a named ward, a named time, and a promise of evidence. If the evidence holds up, it will put the Election Commission in a difficult position. If it does not, it risks looking like a pressure tactic to delegitimise unfavourable results in advance. Either way, the TMC's framing — central forces as BJP proxies — is a well-worn but electorally effective narrative in Bengal, and the BJP's failure to pre-empt it with a credible rebuttal on polling day is a strategic gap.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mamata Banerjee allege about the BJP and CRPF during West Bengal Phase 2 polling?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP is trying to 'forcefully rig' the West Bengal Assembly elections and that CRPF personnel raided a TMC councillor's home at 2 a.m., assaulting his wife and children. She also claimed election observers were pressuring police stations and targeting TMC booth agents.
Which constituencies are voting in West Bengal Assembly Election Phase 2?
Voting in Phase 2 covers 142 constituencies across six districts: Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Nadia, and East Burdwan. Polling began at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, 29 April.
What happened in the Bhabanipur constituency on polling day?
Bhabanipur is the high-stakes seat where CM Mamata Banerjee faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. On polling day, Banerjee's brother Kartik Banerjee was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with more companions than the permitted limit.
How many central forces are deployed for West Bengal Phase 2 elections?
A total of 2,407 companies of central forces — including CAPF, India Reserve Battalion, and armed police personnel from other states — are deployed for Phase 2, alongside West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. All polling stations have CCTV coverage and live webcasting.
What did PM Modi say about the West Bengal Phase 2 elections?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media urging voters in all 142 Phase 2 constituencies to vote in record numbers, with a specific appeal to women and youth to exercise their voting rights to make democracy 'more vibrant and participatory'.
