Union Home Minister Amit Shah said BJP will not allow construction of a “Babri Masjid” in West Bengal as long as even one party worker remains alive. He accused Mamata Banerjee’s government of permitting a mosque modeled on the Babri structure in Murshidabad. Shah also promised that after May 5, the BJP will identify and jail “infiltrators.”
The Supreme Court criticised alleged gherao and the detention of judicial officers involved in West Bengal’s SIR exercise, calling it an extraordinary, election-driven situation where democracy is at risk. In hearings, the court also alleged interference by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a Central agency’s investigation, warning that actions by a state CM could jeopardise the democratic process.
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West Bengal’s Phase 1 recorded a striking 92.86% voter turnout across 16 districts, covering North Bengal, parts of South Bengal, and Jangalmahal areas. The Election Commission “saluted” voters for participating in large numbers. Amid the high turnout, Congress alleged an attack on its party agent by TMC workers in Berhampore, escalating political claims around the voting day.
A viral video has sparked outrage in West Bengal as Trinamool Congress leader Dalim Sheikh allegedly threatened locals, telling them he would cut them to pieces if they voted for any party other than TMC in the upcoming assembly elections. The clip has spread rapidly on social media, intensifying political backlash as the election campaign heats up.
The first phase of West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 has been marred by violence in Murshidabad district. On April 23, a crude bomb explosion in Nowda and reported clashes between CPI(M) and TMC in Domkal reportedly left multiple people injured. The incidents have intensified concerns over election-day security as the campaign enters its early phase.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is confident the BJP will win a landslide in West Bengal, pointing to Phase 1 polling as proof that the “temple of democracy” has been restored. Speaking at a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Dumdum, he warned that the TMC’s “Maha Jungle Raj” will soon end, adding that “goons” won’t find space to hide after May 4.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his day on the Hooghly River in Kolkata, meeting boatmen and underscoring the significance of the holy river. During the election season, he reiterated a commitment to accelerate West Bengal’s development. Modi also shared glimpses from the riverside, including moments featuring Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge, and posted his photography from the visit.
West Bengal goes to the polls for Phase 1 of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections on Thursday, April 23, with voting across 152 seats. The exercise spans 16 districts, including entire North Bengal and parts of South Bengal, along with Jangalmahal belts such as Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur. Campaign fever runs high for the TMC versus BJP contest.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrapped up his West Bengal campaign with sharp attacks on Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the Congress party. In Darjeeling, he pledged to end alleged injustice toward the Gorkha community, using his remarks as a signal of intensified political pressure ahead of the next crucial electoral phase.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took aim at the BJP and Prime Minister, alleging the party stage-managed the PM’s election-related stopover in Jhargram to eat jhal muri. Speaking at Bowbazar, she turned the debate to her own food habits, saying she eats everything from fish and chicken curry to dhokla, dosa and Eid vermicelli—adding, “Don’t teach me religion.”
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On Phase 1 polling day in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi predicted a “massive” BJP win, linking strong voter turnout to success on May 4. At a Nadia rally, he mixed politics with a Bengali snack reference, saying victory celebrations would come with sweets and Jhal Muri—adding a witty dig at TMC along the way.
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal begin voting for the 2026 assembly polls today, following mock polling to assess readiness across booths. Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase, while West Bengal goes in two phases. Counting is scheduled for May 4. Key fights are between DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and TMC and BJP in West Bengal, alongside by-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Speaking at a rally in Krishnanagar, PM Narendra Modi announced a set of 10 guarantees for women in West Bengal, tying delivery to a BJP state government. The promises span stricter action against crimes, police recruitment, direct cash transfers, Mudra loans, healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat, and housing ownership rights through PM Awas Yojana.
Voting at Jitushol Primary School in Jhargram, West Bengal, was briefly interrupted when a wandering elephant named Ramlal entered the polling area and paused the process. Forest officials arrived quickly, guided the tusker away, and voting resumed smoothly. The incident once again spotlighted election-day challenges in wildlife-prone regions, with special teams deployed to manage such moments.
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West Bengal assembly voting began but faced immediate disruption as EVM glitches delayed polling at stations across districts including Murshidabad, Purba Medinipur, Cooch Behar, Malda, and Darjeeling. Overnight, reports of violence emerged, including crude bomb hurling and attacks on political workers. Security forces have been deployed as authorities respond to the incidents.
Voter turnout is trickling in as polling begins for the 2026 assembly elections. West Bengal logged 18.8% turnout by 9:30 am, while Tamil Nadu stood at 17.7%. West Bengal is voting across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, whereas Tamil Nadu is in a single phase. Past elections saw consistently high participation, including over 82% in 2021 for Bengal.
West Bengal’s election battleground remains dominated by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, while the BJP tries to convert national momentum into local victories. Despite its growth, the BJP struggles with the “outsider” perception, weaker grassroots reach, and incomplete leadership depth. TMC holds an edge through deep organisational networks, emotional voter connect, and welfare-linked support, especially among women and rural communities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the high voter turnout in West Bengal’s first phase of assembly elections, highlighting strong participation from young voters and women. He credited the Election Commission for conducting polling that was largely peaceful. Modi also suggested that the turnout reflects voters’ desire for change in the state, framing it as momentum going into subsequent phases.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah said a BJP government in West Bengal would stop any new infiltration and “selectively root out” illegal immigrants already in the state. He linked infiltration to damage to the economy, youth job prospects, and national security, and urged voters to back the BJP so Bengal can be “freed from infiltrators.”
West Bengal’s first phase of polling ended Thursday, with State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal saying voters “stepped out to cast their votes without any fear.” Agarwal credited CAPF control of security at polling stations and claimed that webcasting was “100 per cent foolproof,” highlighting tighter monitoring as the campaign moved into the next phase.
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