Election 2026 highlights: Bengal heads for Phase 2 vote, Mamata Banerjee among over 1,000 candidates in fray
Election 2026: Bengal Heads into Crucial Phase 2 Vote, Mamata Banerjee Among Over 1,000 Candidates in the Fray
Kolkata, April 29, 2026 - The stage is set for the second phase of the high-stakes Assembly polls in West Bengal, with over 3.22 crore eligible voters set to exercise their franchise across 142 seats. The voting process, which began on Monday, will conclude on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing electoral battle.
Among the prominent candidates vying for power in the second phase is none other than Mamata Banerjee, the incumbent Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. Banerjee, who has been a dominant force in Bengal politics for decades, is contesting from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, a key stronghold of the TMC.
The second phase of the polls is expected to be a closely contested affair, with over 1,000 candidates in the fray, including several high-profile politicians and celebrities. The TMC, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) - Left Front (CPI-M-LF) are among the major parties contesting the polls.
The second phase of the polls will cover 19 districts in West Bengal, including the crucial South 24 Parganas and Howrah districts. The TMC is expected to face stiff competition from the BJP, which has been making inroads in Bengal in recent years.
The outcome of the second phase of the polls will have significant implications for the future of Bengal politics. The TMC, which has been in power since 2011, is seeking to retain its majority in the Assembly, while the BJP is looking to make a breakthrough in the state.
As the voting process comes to a close, the people of Bengal are eagerly awaiting the results, which are expected to be declared on May 1, 2026. The outcome of the polls will not only determine the fate of the TMC and the BJP but also shape the future of Bengal's politics for years to come.
In a statement, Banerjee expressed confidence in the TMC's ability to retain power in the state. "We are confident that the people of Bengal will once again repose their faith in us," she said. "We have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Bengal, and we are committed to continuing our development agenda."
The BJP, on the other hand, has been optimistic about its chances in the second phase of the polls. "We are confident that we will make significant gains in the second phase of the polls," said a BJP spokesperson. "The people of Bengal are looking for a change, and we are committed to providing them with a better alternative."