Desk Correspondent , Kolkata - Over 32 million voters in West Bengal began casting ballots on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the second and final phase of the state Assembly elections, deciding the fate of 1,448 candidates across 142 constituencies. Polling is underway from 7 am to 6 pm in key areas spanning seven to eight districts, including Kolkata and its suburbs, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman—regions that include Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongholds, Matua-dominated seats, industrial belts, and the Sunderbans islands.
Of the 142 seats, 107 are general, 34 are reserved for Scheduled Castes, and one for Scheduled Tribes, with major contests primarily between the ruling TMC, BJP, Congress, and Left Front. High-profile battles include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking re-election from Bhabanipur against BJP's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The Election Commission has deployed extensive security with over 41,000 polling stations—many women-managed—and central forces to ensure peaceful voting following reported pre-poll clashes and seizures of cash, liquor, and valuables worth over ₹500 crore since the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
This phase follows the first round on April 23 that covered 152 seats. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that authorities are better prepared for Phase 2 due to the more concentrated area, aiming for free, fair, and violence-free polls with improved area domination. Votes from both phases, along with other states, will be counted on May 4, 2026, to determine control of the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. In the 2021 elections, TMC had secured a strong majority in these Phase 2 areas.
High Court observed that the grounds for Malik’s detention lacked sufficient legal merit
Rohit Pawar Alleges ‘Godman’ Involvement in Fatal Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
The committee’s primary objective is to draft a report recommending a common set of civil laws that would apply to all citizens of the state regardless of their religion
In addition, dairy farmers received over ₹105 crore as bonus payments
Modi Plays Football During Sikkim Visit , Timing Raises Interest in Bengal
₹7.5 crore in cash, 2.5 kg of gold jewelry sacked by ED after raid
Ex-convict arrested for kidnapping a one-and-a-half-year-old boy
Convicted killer and YouTuber Salim Wastik was arrested for a 1995 kidnapping and murder after 31 years.
Rahul Gandhi addressed people on Hoogly for the second phase of Assembly polls
3 killed, 5 injured and 17 houses set on fire violence still not under-control in Manipur
Police investigate a fatal overdose involving performance drugs at a Sector 53 high-rise apartment
Investigators interrogate family members and analyze the accused's movements following the brutal assault and arrest.
The court rejected the petition citing incorrect legal provisions and the conclusion of new elections
One or Two Cases Not Enough to Call Someone a Goonda: Allahabad High Court.
.png)
Election Commission of India (ECI) deny permission for Banerjee to hold rally in...
The buzz around the sequel is already gaining attention, promising yet another h...
.png)
UPSC aspirant found strangled in her residence
Nations are celebrating Earth Day 2026 under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,”...
A deadly blast at a fireworks manufacturing and storage unit in Thrissur, Kerala...
