West Bengal Election Phase-2 LIVE Updates: Polling concludes; voter turnout at 80.43%

With the conclusion of polling for the 2nd phase of elections, Bengal's final voter turnout stands at 80.43%

"We are checking everything. We have been monitoring everything. We have the machinery and people are also deployed everywhere. 7 people have been arrested for Keshwar violence.  A candidate has been attacked in Keshpur along with 4 others.," said CEO Kolkata.

He added, "Slogan shouting was seen in Nandigram. senior officials were sent to the spot where they got the situation under control. I don't think apart from few stray incidents, any major untoward incident has taken place".

Addressing a press conference in Nandigram the CM said, "In certain places, we have been informed that voters were not being allowed to cast their votes. We have complainerd to the EC. I am confident that I will win, but I know that there has been cheating. They have beaten up one of our men, their arm has been broken."

She added, "(On central forces) I am not blaming them, but the Home Minister is instructing all the CISF, CRPF,BSF to help the BJP workers and goons. I am apologising on behalf of the EC. If you don't allow the people to cast their votes, what will happen to democracy? BJP will not win Nandigram. I will win 90% of the votes. One day they will have to pay for this. People will answer them. I have ever seen such a bad election."

Lashing out at PM Modi's campaign rallies, she asked, "Why does Narendra Modi come to Bengal on every polling day? Why will he campaign on election day? If we can't campaign in election areas then why does he addresses the people with all facilities including Doordarshan on polling day? Isn't it a violation of model code of conduct ?."

She added, "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'".

TMC lodges a complaint with Election Commission alleging capturing of 8 booths by BJP workers in Moyna constituency
 

After meeting with the EC, a Left delegation addressed the media saying,"There is a combined effort to create confusion by the TMC and the BJP. The EC needs to take some steps against BJP and TMC. We thank all the voters who voted despite so much trouble. We meet EC on the violation that happened today."

As per EC's voter-turnout app, West Bengal's turnout has increased to 80.43% 

Later in the day, as Mamata began touring poll booths in Nandigram as polling was underway, PM Modi asked if she will be filing for nomination from a second seat. Addressing a poll rally in Uluberia, PM Modi asserted that 'wherever she goes, people of Bengal will give her an answer'. While Mamata had hinted at contesting from Tollygunge, she has not filed for nomination from there. Her bastion - Bhowanipore is set go to polls in the seventh phase - April 26.

Didi, is there any truth in the rumour that you going to file nomination for another constituency? First you went there (Nandigram) and people gave you an answer. If you go somewhere else, people of Bengal are ready.  BJP is going to form the govt in Bengal.  Center schemes have benefitted 10 crores farmers of India. But Farmers of Bengal are not benefitted by the schemes," said PM Modi.

Replying to PM Modi's 'second seat' taunt, Trinamool sources denied Mamata Banerjee contesting from a second constituency on Thursday. Asserting that she will win Nandigram, TMC echoed the CM who said 'I will win 90% of the votes'. Currently, 30 seats across East  Medinipur, West Medinipur, Bankura and South 24 Paragnas are in poll fray - with Mamata battling Suvendu Adhikari for the high-stakes Nandigram seat.

"Mamata is doing a drama. Mamata is scared now. She waited there (Gokul Nagar) for 2-3 hours. Mamata is insulting voters. EC conducts election not the governor," says Suvendu Adhikari.

Addressing the press in Gokul Nagar, Nandigram, Mamata said, "It is an internal matter, we cannot discuss. We have checked all CCTV footage. It is confidential what I have discussed with Governor. The Home Minister has instructed the EC. Why is the EC listening to Home Minister? We want the election to be free and fair."

Alleging voter suppression in West Bengal phase-2 polls, CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday has dialled Governor Jagdeep Dhankar seeking his intervention in the issue. Banerjee, who is touring several booths across poll-bound Nandigram, is currently holed up in a school's election booth in Gokul Nagar complaining that people have not been allowed to vote. Several women are seen raising slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram' against her, whom Banerjee has termed 'Outsiders from Bihar, UP'.

"I am complaining to you as a governor also as local people are not allowed to vote. Please see local people are allowed to vote over BJP," Banerjee said. She has also lodged 63 poll-related complaints since morning, but the EC has allegedly not taken any action, claims the CM. As the CM continues to allege 'poll-rigging', the EC has sought a report from its Nandigram officers.

Sources report that Mamata Banerjee has filed an FIR against the incident in Nandigram. Meanwhile, her rival and BJP's Nandigram candidate Suvendu Adhikari - whose convoy was allegedly attacked by TMC goons has lashed out at them saying, "TMC goons are pelting stones. This is jungle-raaj. This is the work of Pakistanis, 'Jay Bangla' is a slogan from Bangladesh. There are voters from a particular community at that booth who are doing this."

Taking cognizance of Mamata Banerjee's allegations, Governor Dhankar has assured full 'adherence to rule of law'. He added that the concerned authorities have been briefed about the issue and right action will be taken. Banerjee has threatened to go to court if the EC takes no action on such instances.

As of 3:25 PM, voter turnout recorded at 71.07%

Addressing an election rally at Jaynagar on Thursday, PM Modi paid tribute to 'Nimta maa' late Shova Majumdar

Even as the second phase of polling for the West Bengal Assembly elections continued, PM Modi took a dig at CM Mamata Banerjee while addressing a rally in Jaynagar. PM Modi remarked that Mamata Banerjee had run away from Bhawanipore to contest from Nandigram in the ongoing polls. 

"Didi felt she made a mistake by contesting from Nandigram. The mood of polling says what the whole West Bengal wanted to do, Nandigram is doing it alone. Her frustration has increased after first phase of voting. Yesterday, Didi asked for help with many polticians, to those she never gave time or met, she is asking for support from them now. ", said PM Modi. 

Even as polling wqas underway in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, CM Mamata Banerjee reached the Gokul Nagar polling booth and alleged that outsiders were present at the spot. A wheelchair-bound CM Mamata Banerjee dialled West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to report the issue while TMC formed a human chain outside the polling booth. 

CM Matama Banerjee will visit polling booths in Gokul Nagar and Boyal in the Nandigram constituency as polling is underway in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. 

TMC candidate of Chandipur constituency Soham Chakraborty’s car was allegedly vandalised by BJP in the morning even as phase two of the West Bengal Assembly elections was underway. 

58.15% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 01.29 pm as per the EC approximations in phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

TMC's candidate for Debra constituency Humayun Kabir claimed that he was not allowed to enter inside the polling booth. Further, he claimed that all EC officers have gone for lunch. 

54.78% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 01.22 pm as per the EC approximations in phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. 

38.94% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 01.07 pm as per the EC approximations in phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. 

37.42% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 11;28 am as per the EC approximations in phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. 

29.27% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 11:15 am in the second phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections. 

In the latest development, West Bengal Police have detained BJP's Mandal President of Debra Mohan Singh.

TMC workers alleged that outsiders were accompanying BJP candidate Bharti Ghosh at Debra and reportedly created a ruckus. The BJP, however, claimed that TMC workers were denying entry to its polling agents. Forces have been deployed at the spot to diffuse the tension between the two groups. 

8.55% voter turnout has been recorded so far until 9:15 am in the second phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections. 

"At Navapara polling booth no 22, 150 goons of TMC have gheraoed the polling agent. This drama is continuing for over one and a half hours In Barunia, voters are getting influenced and intimidated before entering the booth", claimed BJP's Bharti Ghosh.

"The situation is calm as of now. There is some machinery problem in one of the polling booths. The people have hopes of development", BJP's candidate Suvendu Adhikari said after casting his vote at polling booth number 76 in Nandigram. 

The saffron party is gearing for a tough battle in Bengal - aiming to attain more than 200 seats, while not fielding a CM face yet.  With over 65,000 booth committees and 14,000 Shakti Kendra constituted, the BJP has appointed five veterans as central observers - with the final call to be taken by Amit Shah.  BJP has also seen an inrush of disgruntled TMC leaders like - Suvendu Adhikari and his two brothers, Rajib Banerjee, Jitendra Tiwari, Vaishali Dalmiya, Dinesh Tiwari and recently Mithun Chakraborty. BJP has promised 33% reservation for women on state govt jobs, PM-KISAN arrear of Rs 18,000 for 75 lakh farmers, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free education to women and implementing CAA in its manifesto as it eyes to forms its first government in Bengal.

TMC, on the other hand, has pushed Mamata Banerjee's 'Bengal's daughter' image, daring the BJP with its catch slogan 'Khela Hobe!' (Game is on). Taking up BJP's challenge, Mamata has filed her nomination from Nandigram, setting up a high-voltage battle against her former aide - Suvendu Adhikari. Mamata, who recently suffered an injury which she has blamed on BJP, has vowed to conduct her campaign on a wheelchair with the BJP calling it 'sympathy politics'. TMC has also promised 10 lakhs new MSMEs, Rs 1000 pensions for widows, free ration delivery, Rs 1.06 Crore for Economic support in its manifesto, as Mamata aims to defend her turf from a rising BJP.

The Congress-Left-ISF completed its seat-sharing pact, with Congress grabbing 92 seats, Left 165 seats and ISF 37 seats. Inspite of ISF eyeing the high-stakes Nandigram seat which will see Mamata Banerjee taken on former aide Suvendu Adhikari, the Left Front will contest from that seat. Siddiqui, who has also held talks with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has stated that he will not field candidates where AIMIM is contesting. While Congress has allied with the Left in its bid to end Mamata Banerjee's 10-year term and fight an emerging BJP in Bengal, Congress is the prime opponent against the Left government in Kerala.

Polling was conducted in the Patashpur, Kanthi Uttar, Bhagabanpur, Khejuri, Kanthi Dakshin, Ramnagar, Egra, Dantan, Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram, Keshiary, Kharagpur, Garbeta, Salboni, Medinipur, Binpur, Bandwan, Balarampur, Baghmundi, Joypur, Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur, Para, Raghunathpur, Saltora, Chhatna, Ranibandh and Raipur constituencies on Saturday. A total of 191 candidates including 21 women were in the poll fray. While the polling day did witness both BJP and TMC rush to the EC, these seats recorded an approximate voter turnout of 79.79%. 

The most-awaited poll battle in Bengal between TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and her ex-confidante Suvendu Adhikari for the Nandigram constituency will be witnessed on Thursday as 30 seats go to polls in Phase-2 West Bengal elections. The 30 seats spread across East Medinipur (9 seats), West Medinipur (9 seats), Bankura (8 seats) and South Parganas (4 seats) will see 191 candidates in the poll fray including 19 women. 75 lakh voters will cast their votes in 10,620 booths where 651 companies if Central forces have been deployed for security.  Voting is set to begin at 7 AM and will continue till 6 PM.

While TMC and BJP are contesting in all the 30 seats, the CPI(M) is in the fray in 15 and its alliance partners Congress on 30 seats and ISF on 2 seats. A total of 199 companies of the Central Armed Police Force will be deployed in Purba Medinipur, 210 companies in Paschim Medinipur, 170 in South 24 Parganas and 72 in Bankura. In Nandigram, where Mamata & Suvendu will battle for power, Section 144 has already been imposed by West Bengal police.

The 30 constituencies in fray are - Tamluk, Panskura Purba, Panskura Paschim, Moyna, Nandakumar, Mahisadal, Haldia, Nandigram, Chandipur, Kharagpur Sadar, Narayangarh, Sabang, Pingla, Debra, Daspur, Ghatal, Chandrakona, Keshpur, Taldangra, Bankura, Barjora, Onda, Bishnupur, Katulpur, Indas, Sonamukhi,Gosaba, Patharpratima, Kakdwip and Sagar. Previously, the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on Saturday with an estimated voter turnout of 79.79 percent. Bengal's other phases of elections are scheduled on  April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26, and April 29 with results to be announced on May 2.

• Nandigram: Mamata Vs Suvendu

In a bid to protect her home-turf, Mamata Banerjee will battle BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in the place which had catapulted Mamata Banerjee into the CM post in 2011. Apart from them, CPI(M) has fielded Minakshi Mukherjee in a bid to regain lost ground for the CPI(M).

Miffed by the rising influence of Banerjee's nephew - Abhishek Banerjee and IPAC poll strategist Prashant Kishor in Trinamool, Adhikari along with several other MLAs had switched to BJP. Taking the battle head-on, Banerjee had announced she will contest polls from Nandigram instead of her bastion Bhowanipore, leading to BJP fielding Adhikari. While Nandigram is a Trinamool bastion, it is the Adhikari family - Sisir, Suvendu, Dibyendu and Soumendu which has massive sway in the district - setting up a Mamata Vs Adhikari family battle. Amid the farmers' protest too, the Nandigram land agitation has come to the forefront, with Mamata accusing BJP of 'selling off farmers' lands to businessmen'. 

The Nandigram poll battle saw the most high-voltage campaign as Mamata played her 'Bengal's daughter' card, while Suvendu has accused TMC of only 'promoting the nephew'. Mamata, who recently suffered an injury while campaigning in Nandigram - which she has blamed on BJP, has vowed to conduct her campaign on a wheelchair with the BJP calling it 'sympathy politics'. Mamata has also termed Adhikaris as 'Mir Jafars' while Suvendu has fearmongered that 'Bengal will become mini-Pakistan' if Mamata is re-elected.

Moreover, while TMC has alleged that Adhikari has harboured 'criminals' in various parts of Nandigram ahead of phase-2, BJP submitted an alleged tape of a conversation between CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Nandigram Vice-president Praloy Paul where the CM is heard seeking Paul's help in Nandigram, while he refuses to leave Suvendu Adhikari's side. Adhikari won Nandigram in 2016 defeating Left's Abdul Kadir, till he quit Trinamool recently, while his brother Dibyendu still remains a TMC MP. His father- Sisir Adhikari - a TMC MP has now joined BJP.

• Panskura Paschim: Firoza Bibi (TMC) vs Shintu Senapati (BJP) vs Chittaranjan Das Thakur (CPIM)

An East Medinipur TMC bastion - but an Adhikari family hometurf - Trinamool MLA Firoza Bibi will face BJP's Shintu Senapati and CPI(M)'s Chittaranjan Das Thakur. TMC has held the seat since 2011, with Omar Ali trouncing CPI's Kumar Bera while Firaza Bibi trounced CPI(M)'s Chittaranjan Das Thakur in 2016. This East Medinipur district is a TMC bastion which has held it since 2011, but will see a tough battle as the seat comes under the Adhikari family influence.

• Moyna: Sangram Kumar Dolui (TMC) vs Ashoke Dinda (BJP) vs Manik Bhaumik

Marking his poll debut, BJP's Ashoke Dinda faces a formidable battle for Moyna with incumbent MLA Sangram Kumar Dolui and Congress' Manik Bhaumik. The TMC has held Moyna since 2011 with Sangram Kumar Dolui winning it in 2016 and Bhushan Chandra Dolai in 2011. Former cricketer - Ashoke Dinda joined BJP in February, just three weeks after announcing retirement from international cricket, took the poll jump after another Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary joined TMC. Two days prior to polls, Dinda's convoy was brutally attacked allegedly by a mob of TMC goons - injuring Dinda and three other BJP workers. 

• Debra: Humayun Kabir (TMC) Vs Bharati Ghosh (BJP)

Another hotly contested seat in this phase in Debra where two former IPS officers - Trinamool's Humayun Kabir and BJP's Bharati Ghosh will faceoff each other.  Notably, Ghosh who once happened to be close to Mamata, joined the BJP in 2019, while Kabir joined TMC ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls. Kabir had grabbed headlines after he arrested BJP workers for raising “goli maaro (shoot them)” slogans - this act had allegedly caught Mamata's attention, with several alluding that the ticket was a reward for the same. This West Medinipur district is a TMC bastion which has held it since 2011, but will see a tough battle as the seat comes under the Adhikari family influence. 

• Bankura: Niladri Sekhar Dan (BJP) vs Sayantika Banerjee (TMC) Vs Radharani Banerjee (Congress)

A seat that has been ruled by CPI(M), Trinamool and Congress will see the poorest candidate join the poll fray. BSP's Sadhan Chattaraj who has declared assets wothe Rs 500, faces actor-turned-politician TMC's Sayantika Banerjee, BJP's Niladri Sekhar Dan and Congress' Radharani Banerjee. While Congress'  Daripa Shampa currently hold the seat, TMC's Kashinath Misra had won in 2011. His death had necessitated a by-election in 2012, which was won by TMC's Minati Misra defeating Nilanjan Dasgupta of CPM.

• Nandigram: The battle between the two 'Goliaths' - Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari is in the place which had catapulted Mamata Banerjee into the CM post in 2011. Apart from them, CPI(M) has fielded Minakshi Mukherjee in a bid to regain lost ground for the CPI(M).

In 2007, Trinamool had spearheaded a massive protest against the Left government's move to acquire farmlands for a special economic zone (SEZ) to set up a chemical hub at Nandigram. The move evoked a massive outrage in the region with Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) blocking roads in Nandigram, which was broken by the state police deploying 3000 officers - leading to clashes between locals and police, with at least 11 killed in police firing. Launching the 'Maa, Mati, Manush' campaign, Adhikari - the mastermind behind the agitation - had projected Mamata Banerjee as the face of the agitation - resisiting the land acquisition, leading to the govt shifting the project to Nayachar. Mamata's aggressive protests led to the fall of the 34-year Left government in 2011- heralding her first term as CM.

Miffed by the rising influence of Banerjee's nephew - Abhishek Banerjee and IPAC poll strategist Prashant Kishor in Trinamool, Adhikari along with several other MLAs had switched to BJP. Taking the battle head-on, Banerjee had announced she will contest polls from Nandigram instead of her bastion Bhowanipore, leading to BJP fielding Adhikari. While Nandigram is a Trinamool bastion, it is the Adhikari family - Sisir, Suvendu, Dibyendu and Soumendu which has massive sway in the district - setting up a Mamata Vs Adhikari family battle. Amid the farmers' protest too, the Nandigram land agitation has come to the forefront, with Mamata accusing BJP of 'selling off farmers' lands to businessmen'.

The Nandigram poll battle saw the most high-voltage campaign as Mamata played her 'Bengal's daughter' card, while Suvendu has accused TMC of only 'promoting the nephew'. Mamata, who recently suffered an injury while campaigning in Nandigram - which she has blamed on BJP, has vowed to conduct her campaign on a wheelchair with the BJP calling it 'sympathy politics'. Moreover, while TMC has alleged that Adhikari has harboured 'criminals' in various parts of Nandigram ahead of phase-2, BJP submitted an alleged tape of a conversation between CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Nandigram Vice-president Praloy Paul where the CM is heard seeking Paul's help in Nandigram, while he refuses to leave Suvendu Adhikari's side. Adhikari won Nandigram in 2016 defeating Left's Abdul Kadir, till he quit Trinamool recently, while his brother Dibyendu still remains a TMC MP.

• Debra: Another hotly contested seat in this phase in Debra where two former IPS officers - Trinamool's Humayun Kabir and BJP's Bharati Ghosh will faceoff each other.  Notably, Ghosh who once happened to be close to Mamata, joined the BJP in 2019, while Kabir joined TMC ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls. Kabir had grabbed headlines after he arrested BJP workers for raising “goli maaro (shoot them)” slogans - this act had allegedly caught Mamata's attention, with several alluding that the ticket was a reward for the same. This West Medinipur district is a TMC bastion which has held it since 2011, but will see a tough battle as the seat comes under the Adhikari family influence.

• Sabang: A West Medinipur seat, Sabang has been held by Manas Ranjan Bhunia since 2011, before he resigned in 2017. Bhunia - a Congress candidate had won the seat in 2011 and 2016, before he switched to TMC which elevated to the Rajya Sabha. In the 2017 by-elections, his wife Gita Rani got over half of the votes polled and won the seat. TMC has fielded Bhunia against BJP's Amulya Maity and Congress' Chiranjib Bhowmik.  This West Medinipur district is a TMC bastion which has held it since 2011, but will see a tough battle as the seat comes is the Adhikari family's hometurf.

• Haldia: An industrial belt in East Medinipur, Haldia is one of the key seats that the TMC lost to the CPI(M) in 2016. While TMC's Seuli Saha had won the seat in 2011, trumping CPM's Nityananda Bera, CPM's Tapasi Mondal won the seat in 2016, trumping Trinamool's Madhurima Mandal. With Mondal switching BJP, she faces CPI (M) Kar Paik Manika and TMC's Swapan Naskar.

• Tamluk: This East Medinipur seat - an Adhikari family hometurf will see CPI's Goutam Panda battle TMC's Saumen Kumar Mahapatra and BJP's Hare Krishna Bera in a three-party fight. Tamluk, where not just Suvendu Adhikari but also TMC MP Dibyendu Adhikari holds sway, is currently held by CPI's Ashok Dinda who switched to BJP in December. Dinda had won the seat in 2016, defeating Trinamool's Nirbed Ray, but BJP has not fielded him.