West Bengal Election 2026 Phase 2 voting commenced across 142 constituencies. With the prestige of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the rising momentum of the BJP at stake, the final phase of the assembly elections has turned into a theater of political grit, allegations of central force high-handedness, and sporadic violence in key districts.
By 9:00 AM, the state had already recorded a steady 18.39% voter turnout, following the historic 93.2% participation seen in the first phase. However, the early hours were marred by reports of chaos, technical failures, and sharp verbal volleys between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
West Bengal Election 2026 Phase 2: Bhabanipur Battle—Mamata vs. Suvendu
All eyes are on the Bhabanipur constituency, a TMC bastion since 2011. In a high-stakes replay of their 2021 Nandigram duel, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing off against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
Banerjee, voting in her home turf, has accused the central forces of acting as “BJP agents.” Flashing video clips to the media, she alleged that TMC workers were being intimidated and beaten. “Is this a democracy or a military rule? The central forces are working strictly under BJP’s directions,” she claimed during an early morning briefing.
Violence and “EVM Glitches” Spark Chaos
As polling stations opened, reports of violence and technical malfunctions began trickling in from several districts:
Nadia: A BJP polling agent was reportedly injured in an attack allegedly carried out by TMC supporters.
Hooghly & Bally: Voters took to the streets to protest “EVM glitches,” claiming that polling was intentionally delayed. In Bally, the CRPF detained two individuals following a clash over these allegations.
Kolkata: Tension erupted on Abinash Kabiraj Street as TMC accused BJP candidate Purnima Chakraborty of attacking their camp workers.
The IPS Ajay Pal Sharma Controversy
A significant row has erupted over the Election Commission’s appointment of UP-cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma as a police observer for South 24 Parganas. Known as an “encounter specialist” in Uttar Pradesh, Sharma’s deployment has been met with fierce resistance from the TMC.
Key Points of Contention:
Intimidation Allegations: TMC supporters accused Sharma of “intimidating” family members of candidate Jahangir Khan.
Legal Battle: A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court challenging his appointment, arguing that his presence undermines the “neutral institutional safeguard” required for fair polls.
The “Singham” Narrative: While the BJP has praised Sharma for “reading the riot act” to miscreants, the TMC and Samajwadi Party have labeled the move as an attempt to import the “UP Model” of policing into Bengal.
Security Apparatus: “Prepared for the Worst”
To counter the potential for widespread violence, the Election Commission has deployed a staggering 2,400 companies of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces). Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta confirmed that for the first time, some contingents are equipped with body cameras, and every booth is monitored by at least two webcams.
“We are prepared for the worst. Our goal is a peaceful second phase, but we have strict orders to handle any law and order issue immediately.” — Subrata Gupta, Special Observer
Phase 2 at a Glance: Districts Voting Today
The fate of 1,448 candidates is being decided by approximately 3.22 crore eligible voters today.
| District | Number of Constituencies | Key Significance |
| Kolkata | 11 | Includes Bhabanipur (Prestige Seat) |
| North 24 Parganas | 33 | Highest number of seats today |
| South 24 Parganas | 31 | Focus of the observer controversy |
| Hooghly | 18 | Reports of EVM glitches and chaos |
| Nadia | 17 | Reports of post-dawn violence |
| Howrah | 16 | High security deployment |
| Purba Bardhaman | 16 | Rural stronghold battleground |
Conclusion: A Final Push for Power
The West Bengal Election 2026 Phase 2 is the final hurdle before the counting day on May 4. For Mamata Banerjee, this election is about defending her fortress against a relentless BJP charge. For the BJP, it’s about proving that their 77-seat tally in 2021 was just the beginning of a larger shift in the state’s political DNA.
As the day progresses, the focus remains on whether the heavy deployment of central forces will ensure a fair outcome or if the allegations of “partisan behavior” will cast a shadow over the democratic process.