LIVE BLOG: Bengal Phase 2 voting underway; Mamata vs Suvendu in Bhabanipur, 142 seats in fray
Voting is underway in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, covering 142 constituencies across seven key districts. The spotlight is firmly on Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces her former aide-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari in a high-stakes contest. This phase includes politically crucial districts including North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas — traditional strongholds of the All India Trinamool Congress, together accounting for 64 seats. Other districts are Hooghly (18), Nadia (17), Howrah (16), East Burdwan (16) and Kolkata (11). Polling began early amid tight security arrangements, with central forces deployed across sensitive zones to ensure smooth voting. Stay tuned for real-time turnout figures, key incidents, and constituency-wise updates as the electoral battle unfolds.
Actor-TMC Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick casts her vote in Kolkata
Bengali actor and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick casts her vote in Kolkata #koelmallick #tmc #bengalelections2026 #westbengal pic.twitter.com/A2DOz9EtO4
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
40% voter turnout till 11 am
A record 39.97% voter turnout was registered till 11 am in Phase 2 of West Bengal Assembly Elections.
(Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS)
Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is taking on BJP's Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur, visited multiple booths this morning. She alleged intimidation by central forces and a rigging attempt.
West Bengal CM and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur Mamata Banerjee in the constituency #westbengal #tmc #mamatabanerjee #bhabanipur pic.twitter.com/qr2fFUZv3O
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
Mamata Banerjee trying to intimidate Hindu voters in Bhabanipur, alleges Suvendu Adhikari
Mamata Banerjee trying to intimidate Hindu voters in Bhabanipur, alleges Suvendu Adhikari #mamatabanerjee #suvenduadhikari #bhabanipur #westbengal #bengaleection2026 pic.twitter.com/SI6QM3odcf
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
'Mamata Banerjee's body language reflects a sense of defeat': BJP
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, "Mamata Banerjee has all but conceded the election, her body language reflects a sense of defeat.
"The very fact that the ECI had to deploy central forces to ensure free and fair polling, so that people can step out and vote without fear, speaks volumes about the law and order situation in West Bengal."
Mamata Banerjee has all but conceded the election, her body language reflects a sense of defeat.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 29, 2026
The very fact that the ECI had to deploy central forces to ensure free and fair polling, so that people can step out and vote without fear, speaks volumes about the law and order…
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote
Bengal Polls: TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote #abhishekbanerjee #tmc #westbengal #bengalelections2026 pic.twitter.com/3O1DA0X3P6
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
ECI is harassing and tormenting TMC, alleges Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur
TMC's Bhabanipur candidate Mamata Banerjee said, "They [police observers] are dancing to the tunes of the BJP. It is not the police and the security forces, but the people who will cast their vote."
What she said?
"The ECI is openly harassing and tormenting us. We have sent a contempt of court notice, yet countless outside observers have been brought in here. They are clearly dancing to the tunes of the BJP."
"Go to Chakraberia and you will see for yourself that all our posters have been removed. Is this the way elections are meant to be conducted? It is not the police and the security forces, but the people who will cast their vote."
"They have brought in some people from outside, and these people are doing nothing but spreading fear and terror among the voters. They will leave soon."
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, Mamata Banerjee, says, "...So many observers have come from outside. Whatever the BJP says, they are doing. Just look around, all our posters have been removed. Is this how polls take… pic.twitter.com/xYFpFLUSan
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
TMC MP Mahua Moitra arrives at polling booth in toto
TMC MP Mahua Moitra said, "We have come by toto as ECI asked us not to come by motorbike."
#WATCH | West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: On arriving in an e-rickshaw to cast her vote, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "Because the ECI has said that not to come by motorbike. So we have come by TOTO."
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
"This time, we are engaged in the fight to save democracy. 2.7 million voters… https://t.co/JlRbauNv4V pic.twitter.com/NGo9jH83Ph
Suvendu Adhikari offers prayers at Hanuman Temple in Bhabanipur
Bengal Polls: Suvendu Adhikari at Hanuman Temple in Bhabanipur #suvenduadhikari #bengalelections2026 #bjp #bhabanipur pic.twitter.com/acKa1y4aqw
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
BJP's Sonarpur Dakshin candidate casts her vote in Kolkata
BJP’s Sonarpur Dakshin candidate Roopa Ganguly casts her vote in Kolkata #bengalelections2026 #bjp #roopaganguly pic.twitter.com/m5VIrIvK2r
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 29, 2026
Resign as PM if Mamata and TMC wins on May 4: Derek O' Brien tells Modi
TMC leader Derek O' Brien posted a video on X where he challenged PM Narendra Modi to resgin if CM Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress wins the poll on May 4.
Narendra, aapne announce kiya tha, Bangal ki sabhi 294 seats par aap hi candidate hain
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2026
Badi-badi baat chhodiye. Ye challenge sweekar kijiye
4 May ko jab Mamata Banerjee aur TMC Bangal jeetenge, PRADHAN MANTRI PAD SE RESIGNATION DIJIYE
Hain dum? pic.twitter.com/0i81SHyhOf
Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote, says 'BJP will be under 50 seats'
"I have trust in people. The way people of Bengal have been tortured, BJP will be reduced under 50 seats on May 4," said TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in a scathing attack on BJP after casting his vote in Kolkata.
(Photo: Screen-grab/Abhishek Banerjee Facebook)
PM Modi appeals to voters to turn out in large numbers for voting
Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 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…
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