Mamata Banerjee Slams Central Forces As Violence Erupts During Early Hours Of PollingBengal Assembly Elections 2026 Phase 2
Kolkata : Voting LIVE Updates by IWP Correspondent : West Bengal Elections Phase 2 Voting LIVE Updates: Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is underway, with a key focus on the battle between Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.
Since 2011, the Bhabanipur seat has been a Trinamool stronghold, held by the party chief, Mamata Banerjee.
The polls will be held in 142 constituencies spread across seven districts. Of these, the Trinamool won 123 seats, the BJP 18, and the Left one in the 2021 assembly polls.
Here are the live updates on West Bengal Phase 2 Voting:Apr 29, 2026 09:42 (IST) : 18.4% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 9 AM : Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.4 per cent till 9 am.
While Maniktala saw the highest turnout of 18.41 per cent, Bhabanipur - where a key battle is witnessed between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari - recorded 17.08 per cent voter turnout.
Apr 29, 2026 09:27 (IST) : "Do Not Be Influenced," Says Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge To Voters
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, urged the people of Bengal to vote in "large numbers". He also told them "not to be influenced" or "intimidated" by anyone.
"Today marks the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections. I urge every voter to step out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right without fear or hesitation. Do not be influenced or intimidated by anyone. Vote for progressive values. Vote for development. Vote for harmony. Vote for amity," he said.
He added, "West Bengal has always led the way in driving meaningful change, and today is another such moment. This is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine your rights and give them a befitting reply. I especially appeal to young and first-time voters, your voice matters. Ensure that the spirit of true Democracy persists in West Bengal."
Apr 29, 2026 09:22 (IST) : Mamata Banerjee Sits Outside Bhabanipur Polling Booth
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sits outside the Bhabanipur polling booth. Bhabanipur is her home turf, which she has held since 2011.
Apr 29, 2026 09:17 (IST) : Elderly Woman Arrives To Cast Vote In Bhabanipur
An elderly woman arrives to cast her vote in Bhabanipur, Kolkata, as polling is underway in 142 seats in Bengal.
Apr 29, 2026 09:13 (IST) : Central Forces Detain 2 People Amid Clashes Over EVM 'Glitch' - VIDEO
The central forces can be seen detaining a man amid clashes over EVM 'glitch' in Bengal.
Apr 29, 2026 09:10 (IST) : Mamata Banerjee Slams Central Forces As Violence Erupts During Early Hours Of Polling. As violence was reported in the early hours of polling in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the central forces, saying they are "picking" Trinamool leaders. She also alleged that the central forces are "acting at BJP's behest".
"Polling can't be done like this," she said.
Mamata Banerjee was going from one polling booth to the other, slamming the forces.
Apr 29, 2026 08:55 (IST) : Tracking Phase 2 Of Polling
Apr 29, 2026 08:54 (IST) : EVM 'Glitch', Violence Reported During Early Hours Of Polling
An EVM 'glitch' sparked clashes in West Bengal's Bally during the early hours of polling, with the central forces resorting to a lathi-charge. Two people have been arrested, officials said.
In another incident, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by "miscreants linked to the ruling TMC" at booth number 53 in Chapra in Nadia district, party leaders said.
Apr 29, 2026 08:44 (IST) : Abhishek Banerjee Arrives To Cast Vote
Senior Trinamool Congress leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee arrives at his polling booth in Bhabanipur to cast his vote.
He is contesting the election from Bhabanipur against Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee - who has held the seat since 2011.
Apr 29, 2026 08:34 (IST): ISKCON Monks Chant 'Hare Krishna' As They Head To Cast Votes
ISKCON monks chant 'Hare Krishna' and sing 'Bhajans' as they head to cast their votes in the second and last phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.
Apr 29, 2026 08:32 (IST) : BJP Candidate Engages In Altercation With Polling Officers
BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal engages in a verbal altercation with polling officers and security personnel at a polling booth in Kolkata, where her polling agent was reportedly sent out due to the booth's small size.
The TMC election agent also joined the altercation, after which both were sent out.
Apr 29, 2026 08:03 (IST) : RG Kar Victim's Mother, Ratna Debnath, Casts Her Vote
RG Kar Victim's mother and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath cast her vote in Panihati.
Apr 29, 2026 08:00 (IST) : BJP's Swapan Dasgupta On Polling
BJP's Swapan Dasgupta speaks to IWP outside his polling booth as voting is underway in phase 2 of West Bengal Elections.
Apr 29, 2026 07:56 (IST) : Vote In "Record Numbers For Sonar Bangla", Says Amit Shah To Voters
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the people of Bengal to vote in "record numbers" for "Sonar Bangla".
"I appeal to all voters of the second and final phase to come out in large numbers to vote, especially mothers, sisters, and youth, to free Bengal from the reign of fear, syndicates, and corruption. Your one vote will not only restore Bengal's pride but also become a means to ensure the safety of women. Only a government that has both a vision for development and the resolve to identify and expel infiltrators can fulfill the dreams of Bengal's youth," he wrote in a post on X.
Apr 29, 2026 07:53 (IST) : Poll Body Shares Images Of Early Morning Queues Of Women Voters In Bengal, The Election Commission has shared photos of women voters queued up to vote in Bengal.
Apr 29, 2026 07:52 (IST) : BJP Agent Claims Attack As Polling Begins
A BJP polling agent has claimed that he was struck on the head at a polling booth in Chapra as the second phase of voting began.
The injured person was identified as Musharaf Mir - who alleged that Trinamool "goons" attacked him.
Apr 29, 2026 07:26 (IST) : 1,468 Electors Allowed To Vote In Phase 2 Of Bengal Polls
A total of 1,468 people, who have been added to the West Bengal electoral rolls following the SIR-linked tribunal orders, will be able to exercise their franchise in the second and final phase of the assembly polls today.
According to the Election Commission, voters whose names appear in the supplementary roll can check details by entering their EPIC number on its website.
"Electors whose appeals were disposed of by the appellate tribunals till April 27 have been included in a supplementary roll, and they will be able to vote in the second phase," the EC official told PTI.
The second phase of polling will cover 142 constituencies spread across seven districts of West Bengal.
Apr 29, 2026 07:23 (IST) : BJP Candidate Arjun Singh Arrives To Cast His Vote
BJP candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, arrives to cast his vote for Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections.
Apr 29, 2026 07:16 (IST) : Fish To Jhalmuri Identity To SIR - Issues That Shaped Bengal Polls
As Bengal elections continue to keep us on tenterhooks, NDTV has traversed the murky political landscape of the state for several months to get a sense of the ground. Is it a Modi wave, or does Mamata still hold strong?
Will the issue of infiltration lead to tectonic shifts, or will the Bohiragata vs Bengali narrative drown out other issues? Will the first phase, which covered North Bengal and is projected to be a saffron stronghold, propel the BJP to a historic victory, or will Mamata hold the bull by the horns by sweeping South Bengal, which goes to polls today?
The debates are never-ending, making it one of the most nail-biting elections of the season. Power-packed team explored the politics of jhalmuri, fish, infiltration, and women's security. From exclusive interviews with stakeholders and conversations with communities across the state's diverse demography, we offer you the key takeaways from our reporters and seasoned editors to help you decode the nitty-gritty.
Apr 29, 2026 07:13 (IST) : RK Kar Victim's Father On Casting Vote
Sekharranjan Debnath, father of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, became emotional as he spoke about going to cast his vote for the West Bengal Assembly Elections.
"It's very sad that we have to resort to this method to get justice for our girl. But we will win and get justice for our daughter. We are with the public," he said. His wife, Ratna Debnath, is contesting the elections from the Panihati seat as a BJP candidate.
Apr 29, 2026 07:11 (IST) : PM Modi Urges People To Vote In "Record Numbers"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, urged people of Bengal to vote in "record numbers" in the second and final phase of polling.
"Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise," he said.
Apr 29, 2026 07:07 (IST) : Voting For Phase 2 Of West Bengal Assembly Elections Begins
Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections has begun.
Apr 29, 2026 07:06 (IST) : People Queued Up At Polling Booths Ahead Of Voting
People form queues at polling stations ahead of the voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.
Apr 29, 2026 07:05 (IST)
West Bengal Election 2026: Mock Polls Underway At Polling Booths
Mock polling is underway at polling booths in West Bengal ahead of the Phase 2 of voting.
Apr 29, 2026 06:51 (IST)
West Bengal Polls 2026: Key Players In Phase 2
The key players in the second phase of voting include:
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim
State minister Shashi Panja
State minister Aroop Biswas
State minister Bratya Basu
State minister Sujit Basu
State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya
The BJP, which has gone for local faces this time to counter the outsider tag, has fielded Swapan Dasgupta, actor Rupa Ganguli, and from Panihati, the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim.
Apr 29, 2026 06:48 (IST) : Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held today, with a key focus on the battle between Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.
Since 2011, the Bhabanipur seat has been a Trinamool stronghold, held by the party chief, Mamata Banerjee.
