LIVE BLOG: Bengal Phase 2 voting underway; Mamata vs Suvendu in Bhabanipur, 142 seats in fray

Glimpses of poll stars: Mamata–Suvendu battle dominates Bhabanipur

Kolkata's film fraternity celebrities step out to vote, display inked fingers

Kolkata’s film celebrities stepped out to vote, proudly displaying their inked fingers across the city. Among those spotted were actor-MP Dev, Prosenjit Chatterjee with son Trishanjit Chatterjee, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Raj Chakraborty with wife Subhasree, newly nominated Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick with father Ranjit Mallick, TMC MP Rachana Banerjee, actor Jeet with his family, and actor couple Nusrat Jahan and Yash Dasgupta—underscoring the industry’s call for active civic participation. Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS and official social handles.

TMC's Jai Bangla vs BJP's Jai Shri Ram: Chaos in Bhabanipur during Suvendu Adhikari's visit

Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta on Bengal Poll Phase 2

Missionaries of Charity Nuns Queue Up to Vote in Kolkata

Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity cast their votes in Kolkata, dressed in their iconic blue-bordered white saris and standing in a disciplined queue—an image of quiet dignity and civic commitment.

Former TMC MP Nusrat Jahan casts her vote in West Bengal polls

Fresh controversy in Bengal polls: BJP claims EVM buttons tampered with in several Falta booths

Voting has been stopped in some booths in Falta area of West Bengal, which falls under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed voting machines were tampered in the ongoing second phase of the Assembly polls.

The BJP claimed that its button on the electronic voting machine (EVM) has been taped in several polling booths in Falta.

“Voting without fear”: PM Modi hails record turnout in West Bengal polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday highlighted the higher voter turnout in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, saying it reflected that people were voting “without fear” in the state.

Addressing a public gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi after inaugurating the Ganga Expressway, Modi said, “What we are witnessing in Bengal today is unprecedented.”

ISF polling agent injured, party blames TMC; central force takes action

People of Bengal are voting fearlessly in huge numbers: Modi

Chaos in Bhabanipur as Suvendu Adhikari faces protest from TMC workers

A massive chaos broke out outside Jai Hind Bhavan in the Bhabanipur constituency when women workers of TMC raised slogans against BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari, who was visiting the poll booth. 

On Adhikari's request, the central forces soon rushed to the spot, resorted to lathicharge to the outpouring crowd and took control of the situation. 

Adhikari was safely evacuated from the location. 

TMC supporters alleged Adhikari was motivating voters who were in the queue to cast their votes. 

Police said, "A chaos had erupted during the Leader of Opposition's visit but we have cleared it. The situation is now under control."

Suvendu Adhikari faces ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans in Kalighat, blames outsiders

Several people were heard raising “Joy Bangla” slogans in the presence of BJP Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari near Joy Hind Bhavan in Kalighat, where voting in the second phase of the Assembly elections was underway.

Adhikari alleged that those raising the slogans were “outsiders”.

“These people are not voters. They are outsiders,” he told the media.

Actor-TMC Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick casts her vote in Kolkata

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. 

Mamata Banerjee trying to intimidate Hindu voters in Bhabanipur, alleges Suvendu Adhikari

'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."

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote

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?

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."

Suvendu Adhikari offers prayers at Hanuman Temple in Bhabanipur

BJP's Sonarpur Dakshin candidate casts her vote in Kolkata

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.

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