West Bengal Assembly Elections: Phase 2 Ends With 80.43% Turnout
Polling was held in 30 constituencies, amid booth capturing allegations in Nandigram and ruckus at several places.
The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections ended on the evening of Thursday, 1 April, with 80.43 percent voter turnout, according to the Election Commission.
Polling was held in 30 constituencies in the state, amid booth capturing allegations in Nandigram and ruckus at several places.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to move the court, alleging that the EC was not taking action on the TMC's poll-related complaints.Meanwhile, violence was reported at multiple places, including Keshpur, Debra, and Ghatal. The police also detained Mohan Singh, BJP’s ‘mandal’ president from Debra.
- BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote in Nandigram, from where he was contesting against Banerjee
- Violence was reported at multiple places, including Keshpur, Debra, and Ghatal
- The BJP, which is looking to consolidate the Hindu votes in Nandigram, had based its campaign largely on what they call Banerjee’s ‘Muslim appeasement’ policy
- Almost half of the Jangalmahal region – a SC/ST dominated region in the state – went to the polls in the second phase
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Security Beefed Up
All the booths where polling will be held in the second phase will be put under proper security radar as most of the areas are very sensitive, and the borders of the state adjoining other states are being closely monitored, an EC official said.
Vehicles entering the borders of the district and cities are being checked by security personnel in the presence of magistrates.
Nearly 700 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies have been almost deployed in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and Bankura districts.
Pitched Battle for Nandigram
The high-profile Nandigram constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is pitted against her one-time loyalist-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari of BJP, will vote in the second phase.
Banerjee is seeking a third term in office from Nandigram Assembly constituency of Purbo, Midnipur district.
For her, and the BJP, the battle for Nandigram is a prestige fight because it was the 2007 agitation against land acquisition in the region that had catapulted the West Bengal chief minister to the centre stage of politics in the state, paving the way for the Trinamool's victory in the 2011 Assembly polls that ended 34 years of Left Front rule.
The Amphan Effect
Four constituencies in the South 24 Parganas go to polls in this phase of the elections. These are the constituencies of Gosaba, Patharpratima, Sagar and Kakdwip.
All of these areas were heavily affected by Cyclone Amphan which hit southern Bengal in May 2020. Many places in these areas, which form a part of the Sunderbans delta, lived without drinking water and electricity for days after the cyclone.
These areas also present a test for the ruling Trinamool Congress, which after Amphan, came under criticism as mid-level leaders in villages and municipalities were accused of siphoning away cyclone relief funds.
Polling Begins in West Bengal Amid Heavy Security
Polling began for 30 seats in the second phase of West Bengal elections amid heavy security.
Suvendu Adhikari Casts His Vote
BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari has cast his vote from a polling booth in Nandigram. Adhikari has been pitted by the BJP against Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in the constituency.
En route to the polling booth, Adhikari, as per ANI, had said: "Voting is underway, the situation is under control. People are hoping for development,"
'Come Out and Vote': Suvendu Adhikari Appeals
BJP’s Nandigram candidate Suvendu Adhikari has appealed to the people of his constituency to come out in large numbers and cast their vote, for, as per him, the entire country is looking at Nandigram.
According to ANI, Adhikari said:
PM Modi Urges People to 'Vote in Record Numbers'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter earlier on Thursday, 1 April, morning to urge the people of Bengal, whose constituency are going to poll, to cast their votes “in record numbers”.
'Polling Agent Surrounded by TMC Goons', Alleges BJP's Bharti Ghosh
BJP candidate from the Debra constituency Bharti Ghosh has alleged that her polling agent has been surrounded by “150 TMC goons” in a booth in Nowpora.
She also claimed that voters were being threatened in Barunia.
According to ANI, Ghosh said:
West Midnapore: Unidentified Miscreants Kill TMC Worker on Wednesday Night
Unidentified miscreants killed a TMC worker with a sharp weapon on Wednesday night, in West Midnapore district's Dadpur village, as per ANI.
SP West Midnapore has reportedly informed that eight people have been arrested in connection with the murder.
Even though West Midnapore district went to poll in the first phase of the elections as well, the following constituencies in the district that are voting in the second phase:
- Kharagpur Sadar
- Narayangarh
- Sabang
- Pingla
- Debra
- Keshpur
- Ghatal
- Chandrakona
- Daspur
People in My Constituency Want Development: BJP's Hiron Chatterjee
Actor Hiron Chatterjee, BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency, has said that the people in his constituency want development, according to ANI.
'Well Begun Is Half Done': TMC
The official twitter handle of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have taken to Twitter to share a visual of a polling booth in Nandigram. The tweet said, “Well begun is half done” and that the party is bracing for a “rousing response” in the second phase of the polls.
13.14% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 9 am
The Election Commission of India said that 13.14 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 9 am on Thursday.
Ruckus Near Polling Booth in Debra, Voters Allege: 'Parties Called Goons From Outside'
Ruckus erupted near a polling booth in Debra, reported ANI, adding that security forces are present at the spot.
Voters have, according to ANI, alleged: "Parties called goons from outside. We're locals, why will we create unrest? Candidate brought people here, she wants to create issue. (sic)"
BJP's Bharti Ghosh and TMC's Humayun Kabir contesting from here.
TMC Workers Allegedly Beat Up BJP's Polling Agent
BJP’s polling agent at booth number 173 in Keshpur was beaten up allegedly by TMC workers, reported ANI. The polling agent has been rushed to a hospital.
BJP leader Tanmay Ghosh's car is said to have been vandalised.
CM Mamata Should Show Some Restraint: Suvendu
BJP’s candidate for Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday, 1 April, said that CM Mamata Banerjee should not indulge in “hooliganism”.
According to ANI, Adhikari further said:
Police Detains BJP's Mohan Singh After Rucks Erupts in Debra
Police detain Mohan Singh, BJP’s Mandal president of Debra.
Reportedly, ruckus erupted near a polling booth in Debra, reported ANI, adding that security forces are present at the spot.
CPIM Workers Agitated, Allege TMC Workers Stopped Them En Route to Booth
CPIM workers agitated at Ghatal today, alleged that they were being stopped by TMC workers as they were on their way to cast their vote
Later, security forces reached the spot and removed the road blockade
BJP's Woman Polling Agent Allegedly Beaten Up in Keshpur
A woman polling agent of the BJP at booth number 173 in Keshpur has been allegedly beaten up by TMC workers on Thursday, reported ANI.
Meanwhile, local BJP leader Tanmay Ghosh's car has also been reportedly vandalised.
BJP’s candidate from Keshpur Assembly seat was quoted by ANI as saying:
Visuals from Nandigram: Long Queues, Thermal Screening
Visuals emerging from Nandigram show people standing in long tightly packed queues to cast their vote, and thermal screening being conducted.
'BJP Worker Beaten in Kanchan Nagar Area': Suvendu Makes a Slew of Allegations
BJP’s Nandigram candidate Suvendu Adhikari has claimed that one BJP worker was beaten up in Samasabad’s Kanchan Nagar area.
Further Suvendu Adhikari alleged: “One Amirul behind the death by hanging of a BJP worker in Maheshnagar, Nandigram. The police is taking action.”
However, Adhikari also claimed that overall situation today is peaceful.
29.27% Voter Turnout Recorded in WB 11:17 am
A voter turnout of 29.27 percent has been recorded in West Bengal till 11:17 am.
This is provisional data, and may be updated again shortly.
37.42% Voter Turnout till 11:30 am
A voter turnout of 37.42 percent has been recorded in West Bengal till 11:30 am.
This is provisional data, and may be updated again shortly.
TMC MP Derek O'Brien Writes to EC Alleging Booth Capturing
TMC MP Derek O'Brien has written to the Election Commission alleging booth capture by BJP workers in Nandigram, ANI reported
O'Brien has alleged capturing of booths numbered 6, 7, 49, 27, 162, 21, 26, 13, 262, 256, 163, and 20.
37.42% Voter Turnout Till 1:00 PM
A voter turnout of 37.42 percent has been recorded in West Bengal till 1:00 pm.
This is provisional data, and may be updated again shortly.
Mamata Visits Bayal Village in Nandigram
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Bayal village located in Nandigram on Thursday, 1 April, reported ANI.
'BJP & Their Mind Games Won't Work': Derek O'Brien
TMC leader Derek O’Brien has taken to Twitter to assert: “BJP and their mind games! Won't work.”
He further stated that people of Nandigram are determined to have Mamata Banerjee as their MLA.
Mamata Visits Polling Booth in Nandigram
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited a polling booth in Nandigram.
Her opponent in the constituency, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, had earlier on Thursday morning, cast his vote in Nandigram.
BJP's Dharmendra Pradhan Hits Out at Mamata
BJP Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday, 1 April, hit out at Mamata and labelled TMC’s regime “anarchist”. According to ANI, Pradhan said:
CM Mamata Threatens to Move Court Over Poll-Related Issues
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has threatened to move court as EC has not taken action in the poll-related complaints filed since Thursday morning.
Banerjee, as per PTI, said that 63 poll-related complaints have been lodged since morning.
According to ANI, the CM also alleged that people raising slogans are outsiders and are protected by the Central Forces.
West Bengal Elections: 71.07% Voter Turnout till 3.30 PM
West Bengal has recorded 71.07 percent polling till 3:30 pm, according to the Election Commission.
Will Check All Footage, Take Appropriate Steps: Mamata
Mamata Banerjee asks Amit Shah to “control goons who are heckling woman journalists in rallies”, says she cannot reveal what she discussed with the election observer and the governor.
“I haven't seen such a bad election,” Banerjee said, according to ANI.
When asked if an FIR will be filed over allegations of booth rigging at Boyal polling booth where she visited, Banerjee said, “We will check all footage of the polling booth and take appropriate steps.”
TMC Complains to EC About Alleged Booth-Capturing in Monya
The TMC has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging capturing of eight booths by BJP workers in the Moyna constituency.
“BJP workers are attempting to take control of EVMs and are rigging the booth. CRPF deployed at the booth is not taking any action,” the complaint read, as quoted by ANI.
Home Minister Has Told Central Agencies to Help BJP Goons, Alleges Mamata
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has said that Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the CRPF and other central agencies to help “BJP goons” at polling booths.
She further alleged that the EC was taking no action over complaints by the TMC.
“We have given so many letters but they are one-sidedly supporting BJP candidates,” she said, as quoted by ANI.
“We have already lodged 63 complaints with Election Commission. I am not worried about Nandigram, but I am worried about democracy. I will win Nandigram with the blessings of 'Maa Maati Manush',” she added.
CM Mamata Stalled Voting at Polling Booth for 2 Hours, Alleges Suvendu
BJP candidate from Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari alleged that Mamata Banerjee stalled voting for two hours at the polling booth she visited earlier.
“Mamata stalled voting for two hours here. Around 90% of voting has happened in Nandigram but it is only 78% at this booth. Voting is going on peacefully here. There is no issue,” Adhikari said, as quoted by ANI.
79.53% Polling in West Bengal Till 5:22 pm
'Whatever EC Does, BJP Won't Win': Mamata
Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Election Commission was not taking action over complaints raised by the TMC.
“Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win. In Nandigram, 90% of the votes will come to TMC,” she said, as quoted by ANI.