Bhabanipur at a crossroads: Loyalty to Didi or call for change?

Bhabanipur is seeing a pitched contest between Mamata Banerjee and BJP leader Suvendu Adikari

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Mock polls underway at polling station 79 under Shibpur Assembly Constituency in Howrah

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | People begin queuing up at a polling station in Kolkata

People begin queuing up at a polling station in Kolkata ahead of the voting for the second and final phase of the state assembly elections.

Voting to begin at 7 am.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Second and final phase voting begins for 142 seats

Voting for the second and final phase of West Bengal elections 2026 begins. Of the 294-Member Assembly, polling being held today on the remaining 142 constituencies.

Among the high-profile constituencies going to polls today is Bhabanipur, where CM Mamata Banerjee faces LoP Suvendu Adhikari. He is also contesting from Nandigram, from where he is a sitting MLA of the BJP.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'We will get justice': Mother of RG Kar rape victim and BJP candidate from Panihati seat Ratna Debnath

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Phase 2 battle in TMC stronghold

Unlike the first phase, where the BJP sought to defend its north Bengal gains, the final round shifts the battle squarely to the TMC's strongest belt. In 2021, the ruling party had won 123 of these 142 seats, leaving just 18 for the BJP and one for the ISF.

That arithmetic explains why the BJP has treated this phase as its real test. Without breaching south Bengal, there is little route to power in the state.

At the centre of the contest is Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's political bastion, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a prestige battle seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in 2021.

A total of 3.21 crore electors, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender voters, are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. Polling is being held at 41,001 stations, all of which are under webcasting surveillance. (PTI)

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | PM Modi urges record voting in phase 2

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'We are seeing revenge voting': TMC MP Mahua Moitra

After casting her vote, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "It's obviously going to be a very high voting percentage because this is, we are seeing revenge voting...Today, as we speak, 27 lakh people have been denied their franchise who are valid voters..."

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | The monks of the ISKCON dance and sing 'Bhajans' as they head to cast their votes

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'Free Bengal from misrule, syndicates, and corruption': Amit Shah's appeal to voters

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to voters "to free West Bengal from the misrule of fear, syndicates, and corruption" and vote in record numbers.

Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Your one vote will not only restore Bengal's pride but also ensure women's safety. Only a government with a clear direction for development and the firm resolve to take strict action against infiltrators can realize the dreams of Bengal's youth. Vote in record numbers for building Sonar Bangla," he said.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty stands in a queue at the Suvokkhan Community Hall in Belgachia

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari visits a polling booth in Bhabanipur constituency

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates |EVM glitch causes chaos in Howrah; voters claim some trying to disrupt voting process

Chaos erupted outside a polling booth in Howrah as a few people were carried away from the spot by CRPF personnel.

Voters say that voting began here at 8.30 am after three failed attempts to vote, owing to a machine malfunctioning.

They also say that a few people were trying to disrupt the voting process and were taken away by the security personnel, reports ANI.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'We were stopped from voting thrice': Voter in Howrah

One of the voters told ANI, "We have been standing here since 7 am. There was some chaos and we were told that the machine was malfunctioning. A new machine was brought here and that too faced glitches.

"So, we were stopped from voting thrice. Then they closed the gates. There was some problem inside.

"When I came here, I heard a lot of shouting inside. Then they closed the doors so that the public could not see what was happening. After half an hour we saw someone, who wanted to create chaos here, was beaten up and carried away. So, voting finally began at 8.30 am...There is full support of CRPF. Administration is alert."

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | An EVM glitch reportedly sparks clash in Bally. CRPF personnel detain two people

'Look how our worker was beaten up at night. Just look at this atrocity. What kind of hooliganism is going on?': Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Look how our worker was beaten up at night. Just look at this atrocity. What kind of hooliganism is going on? Voting does not happen like this. Voting happens peacefully. It is a festival of democracy. But they have completely ruined it.

"The intention is very clear that the BJP wants to forcefully rig the election. Our workers and people are ready to die, but they will not leave the place."

West Bengal records 18.39% turnout till 9 am in second phase of polling in 142 assembly seats: Election Commission

A total of 18.39 per cent of 3.21 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling to 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of West Bengal assembly elections, a senior EC official said.

Till 9 am, Purba Bardhaman district recorded the highest turnout at 20.86 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 20.16 per cent, he said.

Nadia recorded 18.5 per cent turnout, followed by North 24 Parganas (17.81 per cent), Kolkata Uttar (17.28 per cent) and South 24 Parganas (17.25 per cent), Kolkata Dakshin (16.81 per cent), he elaborated.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Violence, vandalism reported during early hours of voting in Bengal

Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday, police said.

The incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, they said.

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.

A senior police officer said the person, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital.

BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident took place after mock poll began.

"TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, causing injury," Sarkar said.

A complaint has been lodged with the local police station, though the TMC denied the allegations.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Mamata visits polling booths in Bhabanipur, alleges central forces acting at BJP's behest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday visited several polling booths in her Bhabanipur assembly constituency where voting is underway and alleged that central forces and election observers were acting at the behest of the BJP.

The Bhabanipur assembly segment is Banerjee's political bastion, where she is locked in a prestige battle against Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in what is being seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in the 2021 assembly polls.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Mamata Banerjee accuses central forces of acting on 'BJP's behest'

"Several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP's directions. People are supposed to cast their votes -- can voting take place like this?" Banerjee said.

She also alleged that all TMC party flags had been removed beforehand and claimed that outsiders were interfering with the polling process.

"They are not allowing the councillor of ward number 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys. Abhishek and I stayed awake the entire night," she said.

West Bengal polling trends

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Voters were told to press which button at a false EVM in Mayapally

BJP leader and former MP, Arjun Singh said alleged that TMC is interfering with the election. Speaking to the reporters he said, "We had received information that a false (dummy) EVM was placed outside the booth number 82-83 in Mayapally (Noapara Assembly Constituency), and voters were told which button to press."

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'We are standing in line since 7 am. They are saying that the EVMs are malfunctioning': Voter at Baranagar's Ward Number 72

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | TMC workers clash with ISF supporters near Rajhati-1 Panchayat

A clash broke out between TMC and ISF supporters as tensions erupted at Booth No. 147 in Ramchandrapur under Rajhati-1 Panchayat in Khanakul in Hooghly District, over allegations of appointing fake polling agents.

West Bengal records 39.97% turnout till 11 am in second phase of polling

West Bengal polling trends

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'Singham' officer on ground as polling underway in South 24 Parganas

Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma on Wednesday toured West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, keeping vigil on the polling process during the second phase of Assembly elections, officials said.

Sharma, a Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer currently posted as ACP in Prayagraj, had drawn political controversy over his proactive measures in the Diamond Harbour area, considered the stronghold of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, over the past two days to prevent intimidation and violence.

Sharma, who earned the moniker 'Singham' for his crackdown on criminals, faced protests from TMC leaders and workers on Tuesday who accused him of overstepping his role and "intimidating" party workers ahead of the polls.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Mamata, Suvendu land in same booth area in Bhabanipur

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday morning landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur's Chakraberia and took swipes at one another without any direct interaction or exchange of courtesies.

The incident took place in ward number 70 of Chakraberia, where Banerjee was already seated outside after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of local TMC leaders.

However, they did not come face-to-face.

While Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to "rig" the election using central forces, police observers and election officials, Adhikari dismissed her allegations as signs of "frustration", claiming the chief minister had realised that "not a single vote" was coming her way.

Adhikari, who is the BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, said, "Mamata Banerjee is scared. Her police has been replaced by central forces, which is why she is scared. The Election Commission has deployed CAPFs here, so if she has any problem, she should approach the EC. Why have 40-50 people come with her?"

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | West Bengal is witnessing heavy polling; people are fearlessly voting: PM Modi

BJP accuses TMC of tampering with EVM; West Bengal CEO says booth will go for repoll if claims verified

The reports seemed to surface from Falta in Diamond Harbour. The same constituency which had emerged as a major flashpoint due to TMC's candidate of choice-Jahangir Khan.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | West Bengal registers 61.11% voter turnout till 1 pm in second and final phase of polling in 142 assembly seats

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Polling trends

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Polling peacefully underway, turnout may surpass second phase: Bengal CEO Agarwal

The second phase of voting in West Bengal was progressing peacefully amid elaborate security arrangements, the state's Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said on Wednesday, exuding confidence that the turnout might surpass the first phase figures.

More than 60 per cent of the 3.21 crore electors voted till 1 pm in the second phase of polling in West Bengal amid sporadic violence and attacks on candidates.

Agarwal said extensive security deployment and close monitoring were ensuring a smooth voting process across the state.

"In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark," Agarwal said.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | CRPF and Police resort to lathicharge to disperse crowd from booth where Suvendu Adhikari was surrounded by TMC supporters

CRPF and Police resort to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd from the booth in Kolkata where State LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari was surrounded by TMC supporters

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | BJP's button on EVM reportedly blotted with ink in Panihati

At a polling booth in Panihati, there was reportedly a blot of ink on the BJP symbol's button, rendering it illegible. After objections, the ink was removed using sanitiser. Locals have been waiting for the last hour. TMC workers gathered there and reportedly created a ruckus with Jay Saha, Chief Election Agent for BJP candidate Ratna Debnath.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Polling peacefully underway, turnout may surpass first phase: Bengal CEO Agarwal

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Bengal elections: Bhangar tense during polling, ISF claims voters, agents threatened

Tension gripped South 24 Parganas' Bhangar and its adjoining areas during the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accusing TMC of trying to intimidate polling agents and influence voters.

NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal, where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.

On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, in Bhangar. Later, on a directive by the Union Home Ministry, the NIA registered a case to probe the recovery of 79 crude bombs in the state.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'Mamata's goons are not voters': Suvendu surrounded by TMC supporters

"Hooligans attacked me at Booth Number 217. Mamata's goons are not voters; they are all outsiders," State LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari.

TMC supporters surrounded him, raising slogans of "Jai Bengal".

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | TMC accuses Central forces of beating up women, children

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur's Chakraberia on Wednesday morning, and took swipes at one another without any direct interaction, underlining the prestige battle unfolding in the CM's political bastion.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates |West Bengal registers 78.68% voter turnout till 3 pm in second and final phase of polling in 142 assembly seats

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal alleges TMC agents tried to assault her inside polling booth

Tension prevailed at a polling booth in Kolkata's Entally constituency on Wednesday after BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal alleged that TMC polling agents tried to assault her when she objected to crowding inside the booth and lack of privacy for voters.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Farooq Abdullah criticises EC's handling of WB polls; asks 'is Bengali not trusted'

'Is Bengali not being trusted', asked veteran politician and three-time former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, on Wednesday while slamming the Election Commission for the deployment of a large contingent of central police forces and bureaucrats during the West Bengal polls.

Abdullah, who is the president of the ruling National Conference, condemned the rhetoric used by national leaders against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing the language as "unparliamentary and not befitting this nation".

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 'Had they deployed such heavy CRPF force in Pahalgam...': TMC's Firhad Hakim takes jibe at Centre

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Atrocities by EC, central forces unprecedented: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | From the Northeast to other states, elections are peaceful, but in West Bengal, violence occurs during and after polls

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | TMC MPs allege central forces baton-charged civilians outside polling booth in Bengal

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh on Wednesday alleged that central security forces baton-charged civilians, including women and a child, near a polling booth in South 24 Parganas district during the West Bengal elections.

In a post on social media, Ghosh accused the forces of "unbelievable violence" and claimed that after baton-charging women, the paramilitary personnel did not relent and went on "hitting and injuring a child".

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | West Bengal registers 89.99% voter turnout till 5 pm in second and final phase of polling in 142 assembly seats

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleges slow voting, claims win at least 200 seats

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | 700 companies of central forces to stay in Bengal after polls: Official

Around 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will continue to remain deployed across West Bengal after the completion of polling, an Election Commission official said on Wednesday.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | TMC's Abhishek Banerjee claims voter death after 'assault' by central forces

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that an elderly voter died after being assaulted by central forces in Howrah district during polling for the second phase of West Bengal assembly elections.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence - ECI

Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence, says ECI; congratulates each voter of West Bengal on this historic feat.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar says: "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence - Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv".

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates | West Bengal registers 91.47% voter turnout in second and final phase of polling in 142 assembly seats

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates| West Bengal registers record turnout of 92.47 per cent in two-phased polls