The second phase of voting in West Bengal commenced on Friday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) testing its strength in Kolkata, a traditional stronghold of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC). The polling, covering 30 constituencies across the state, includes several high-profile seats in the capital city where the BJP has been aggressively campaigning to break the TMC's dominance.
Key Constituencies and Candidates
Among the notable seats are Ballygunge, where TMC heavyweight and state minister Subrata Mukherjee is contesting, and Behala Purba, represented by Mamata Banerjee herself. The BJP has fielded strong candidates in these areas, including former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh in Debra and actor-turned-politician Locket Chatterjee in Hooghly. The TMC is leaving no stone unturned to retain its hold, with Banerjee addressing multiple rallies in the city.
Security and Arrangements
The Election Commission has deployed over 50,000 security personnel, including central forces, to ensure peaceful polling. Voter turnout was reported to be around 60% by 5 PM, with long queues seen at several booths. The state has witnessed sporadic incidents of violence, including clashes between party workers, but overall the voting has been largely peaceful.
The second phase is crucial for both parties. For the BJP, winning seats in Kolkata is essential to meet its target of 200+ seats in the 294-member assembly. For the TMC, defending its urban base is vital to counter the BJP's narrative of a 'parivartan' (change). The results will be declared on May 2.
