Mamata alleges targeting of TMC leaders, workers as Bengal votes in 2nd poll phase
West Bengal voted in the second and final phase of its assembly elections on Wednesday, with 142 seats across eight districts going to the polls amid allegations by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of targeting and intimidation of TMC leaders and workers by central forces and out-of-state observers. Banerjee claimed mobile phones were seized, workers beaten, and pressure exerted on local police to make arrests, while polling proceeded without major reported incidents. She campaigned in her Bhabanipur constituency, where she faces BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, as voter turnout reached 18.39% by 9 a.m. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged high voter participation, especially among women and youth, ahead of the May 4 result declaration.
- ▪Mamata Banerjee alleged that central forces raided a TMC municipal councillor’s home in Kolkata around 2 a.m., seizing his phone and threatening him.
- ▪Clashes and attacks were reported between rival party supporters in Nadia, Hooghly, and Shantipur, including alleged ransacking of a BJP office.
- ▪The second phase of voting covered 142 constituencies, following the first phase on April 23 which saw a record 93.19% turnout.
- ▪Voter turnout by 9 a.m. in the second phase was 18.39%, with Purba Bardhaman recording the highest and Kolkata South the lowest.
- ▪Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a high voter turnout, especially among women and youth, to strengthen democratic participation.
- ▪Results for the West Bengal assembly elections are scheduled to be announced on May 4.
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Mamata alleges targeting of TMC leaders, workers as Bengal votes in 2nd poll phaseChief minister Mamata Banerjee said central forces arrived at the residence of a municipal councillor in Kolkata around 2am and threatened himPublished on: Apr 29, 2026 10:50 AM ISTBy HT CorrespondentShare viaCopy link Polling was underway for 142 of 294 seats across eight districts in the second and last phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on Wednesday, with no reports of any major untoward incident, even as chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused police officers from other states posted as observers of targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and workers.West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused observers from other states of resorting to atrocities.
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