During the high-octane campaign, the BJP leadership accused the ruling TMC of turning West Bengal into a haven for infiltrators, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the saffron party was indulging in divisive politics, attempting to bifurcate the state and discouraging consumption of fish and eggs.

Addressing a gathering after leading a road show at West Bengal's Behala on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Central forces would remain deployed in the state for at least seven more days after the elections, even if the BJP comes to power. He urged the voters to cast their votes without fear.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a poll rally in Barrackpore. He said, "Barrackpore had given strength to the first war of Independence in 1857; this very land today is paving way for a change in West Bengal."

Mamata Banerjee focused on her constituency in Bhabanipur where she held a road show. She raised several issues, including the deletions of under-adjudication voters from the electoral roll, and targeted the administration that has been appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). "Those who are arresting now must think about getting arrested in future. Sin spares no one," she said.

A total of 3,21,73,837 electors --1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 third-gender voters -- are eligible to vote in this phase of the elections scheduled for April 29. Polling will be held at 41,001 stations, with webcasting covering all polling stations.

The EC has put in place extensive security arrangements, deploying 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts.

A total of 142 general observers, 95 police observers and 100 expenditure observers have been deployed. Officials said drones fitted with cameras are also being used to monitor the poll process. Kolkata has the highest deployment with 273 companies of Central forces.

Among the constituencies going to the polls in this phase, Bhangar has the highest number of candidates at 19, while Goghat has the lowest with five, reflecting a varied electoral contest across districts.

Key candidates in this phase include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking re-election from Bhabanipur. She is pitted against BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari in one of the most high-profile and keenly watched contests of the second and final phase.

In Kolkata Port, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim is up against BJP candidate Rakesh Singh, with the minority-dominated constituency seen as crucial for the ruling party in central Kolkata.

Other important seats include Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Barrackpur, Bangaon, Dumdum, Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj, Ranaghat Uttar and Dakshin, Rashbehari, Jadavpur and Ballygunge.

Several BJP leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers of Uttarakhand and Assam campaigned in the state, attacking the TMC over alleged deterioration in law and order, rising crimes against women, political unrest, infiltration and corruption. Modi, who elaborately campaigned in various parts of the state ahead of the second phase, reached out to the Matua community, urging them not to be misled by what he called TMC's "lies" on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), and assured them that all refugees would be given permanent residency in the country.

Addressing a string of rallies over the last few days, Shah said that if the BJP is voted to power in the state, it would set up a special squad to protect and stop cattle smuggling and end the alleged "goonda raj" and "syndicate raj".

He also attacked the TMC government, alleging failure on governance, law and order and employment fronts, and maintained that the election is crucial for making West Bengal free from terror, riots and infiltrators.

Hitting back, TMC leader and party MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the BJP had failed to fulfil its promises, including "Rs 15 lakh in every bank account and two crore jobs annually".

In one of her rallies after the first phase of polls on April 23, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that her party had crossed the 100-seat mark and expressed confidence of retaining power.

"Elections were held in 152 seats in the first phase. We have already crossed 100 seats in the first phase. Elections in the remaining 142 seats will be held on April 29. If you all vote for us, we will get a two-thirds majority," Banerjee said at a poll rally in Bhabanipur.

Bengal recorded 93.19 per cent polling in the first phase on April 23. Banerjee has also hit out at Shah over his "hang upside down" remark against Trinamool workers after the polls, questioning the language used by a constitutional authority and saying her party would initiate legal action against him.

She also raised concerns over voter list deletions and accused the Election Commission-appointed administration of bias, warning officials against alleged excesses.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also campaigned for party candidates in the state. Veteran Congressman Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting an Assembly election after a gap of 25 years, from Baharampur seat.