Bengal witnesses an election with no deaths after decades ... a fit tribute to 'Modi Hae toh Mumkin hae' :::: Shame for Left Liberal Sickular gang ... still sounding sympathetic to pro-Infiltrators 'aapa'

West Bengal witnesses an election with no deaths after decades. 

::: Bloodless polls, record voting 

The past two decades alone have seen at least 280 poll-related deaths in Bengal.

Poll violence had grown gradually to become part of Bengal’s 'political culture' since the first post-Independence election in the early 1950s

For the first time in recent memory, West Bengal — India's most politicised state — refused to reaffirm its reputation as the country’s most politically violent state. 

But as the polling ended and polling agents returned home safely by late night or around 10 pm, there had been no reports of deaths, critical injuries or bombing.

Credit for this must go to the Election Commission and the CEC Gyanesh Kumar, who was subjected to personal attacks, but some credit should go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Home Minister Amit Shah who made repeated assertion that the TMC-ruled state will witness a peaceful election. 

The huge turnout was due to the presence of large number of central forces - whose presence surprisingly did not please the state chief minister.  

Allegations of attempts to jam booths 217 & 218 by TMC workers had surfaced. But Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari stepped out of his car and chased them away. He was of course assisted by security forces. 

 

Psephologists and political scientists could not remember the last time the state had witnessed a big election with little or no bloodshed. One of them suggested the previous instance was 1977, but others contested the claim saying that election had been violent too.

“This may not be unprecedented, because not all such records exist in detail about every election in post-Independence Bengal. But this is certainly the first in recent memory,” political scientist Subhamoy Maitra said (The Telegraph, Kolkata). 

PM Modi and the BJP can claim credit for ensuring an atmosphere of safety and security for the voters. The EC move too has been unprecedented.  

All these have strengthened argument that the the election’s outcome in Bengal would be different. It certainly tells a story of Vote for 'ashol poriboton(effective change)".

For Modi, its a feather in the cap. In a historic mandate in 2019, the Prime Minister was given a second term to run the world’s largest democracy.  

Modi became the first prime minister since 1971 to return to power with an absolute majority. He was the third one to do so after the country’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his daughter Indira Gandhi. 

And now ensuring a peaceful poll in West Bengal. 

The state unit of BJP says: "A proud Bengali man speaks fearlessly: 

I’m 70 years old. I have seen Congress, CPIM, and TMC. But this time I want to see 👉BJP. I would like to vote for change and give BJP a chance! 

That’s because this time it has been #BhoyOutBhorosaIn

'fear out ... Trust/assurance of Safety and security in'. 

The post shared a video of a news clipping.

Video Link

Analysts say BJP’s political growth has been always linked to macho-nationalism; but this time the central government, the Home Minister and importantly the CEC Gyanesh Kukar hardened the stance against any kind of hooliganism and goondaism related to the polls. 

Fish Fry journalism club : Still in their old vehicle 

“Nirvachan Sadan under Gyanesh Kumar has been questioned in several areas relating to upholding the constitutionally approved democratic practices, but it has definitely delivered on this core parameter," says Subhamoy Maitra.  

Vote without fear in TMC stronghold: Central forces keep ‘bike gangs’ at bay

Several voters in the Falta Assembly constituency of South 24-Parganas said they could exercise their franchise after a decade

A man in his mid-30s came out of Totini Balika Vidyalay, along with his wife and mother, at Fatepur in the Falta Assembly constituency, one of the strongest bastions of Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress and the Diamond Harbour MP, with a smiling face.

The man said they were happy because they could cast their votes for the candidate of their choice after the 2016 Assembly polls. (reports The Telegraph -generally guided by Fish fry and Sickular influences)  

Mamata Banerjee has a track record of getting excited every time the official probe agencies got close to Kolkata mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim.  This time .. there was an exception. 

Mayor Firhad Hakim was told that Opposition workers should not be harassed. “Aapka ladka log dusre party ka logo ko padeshan na kare 

(Your boys should not harass Opposition party workers),” Hakim quoted one security telling him. 

Armed central paramilitary personnel landed at the Calcutta mayor’s house in Chetla around 12.45am on Tuesday to tell him that if there was a “problem” on polling day, “mushkil ho jayega (there will be trouble)”.

“They knew they were visiting the mayor’s home. One of them asked me, ‘Aap mayor saab ho (Are you the mayor)?" he said.

ends 

"Yeh Naya Bangal hae .... Bhagwa Bangal hae" - screams a confident Suvendu Adhikari .... ::: There's a clear political message as he describes Amit Shah as "my guardian"

Bhabanipur in Kolkata and the electorate have had their date with the "mother of all electoral battles" on April 28, 2026. 

Morning shows the day. Bulldozer style commences ....

"Goonda der kemon daman kortey hoe .... (How to handle goondaism was displayed by IPS special observer Charan Singh Meena)," Suvendu told journalists later in the day for taking befitting actions against TMC miscreants in a booth in Bhabanipur. 

"Mamata Banerjee knows not a single vote is coming her way. People should be allowed to vote freely. I will win Bhabanipur by at least 30,000 votes," said BJP candidate and LoP Suvendu Adhikari. 

His credential also includes the fact that he had defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021. The vote margin was less than 2000 -- but that hardly mattered. 

"She is a candidate and can visit booths. But why this kind of intimidation? I have complained to the district election officer. Nobody will be allowed to create fear this time," Adhikari said.

Mamata Banerjee, speaking separately, charged the BJP with trying to capture the election through central forces, observers and administrative pressure.

Video Link

(Allegations of attempts to jam booths 217 & 218 by TMC workers. Suvendu Adhikari stepped out of his car and chased them away.)

About state-level performance, he said the BJP will win "not less than 180" .... the required magic figure is 148. 

"Yeh Naya Bangal hae .... Bhagwa Bangal hae", he said adding "Swami Vivekananda ka Bangal hae".  

He asserted West Bengal always gives decisive mandate .. hence chance of a hung assembly or a close photo finish is not much. "We will win not less than 180," he told reporters at the end of the voting. 

Asked about 'swearing in'; he said as an elected legislator the swearing will be held in the Assembly complex.  On the ministry formation, he said "The BJP follows a system... I cannot speak much. You should ask Nitin Nabin (party's national president). We will be guided by "paramarsha" of Samik Bhattacharya (state unit president). 

And it it in this context - he said Amit Shah is "my guardian". Not to miss out he looked extremely confident. 

In fact, earlier in the day he even walked into a TMC booth office and had 'cold drink'. He even shook hands with a woman Trinamool office bearer. 

As the fiercely fought electioneering and elections have come to an end; analysts do not miss a crucial point that if the BJP wins; the verdict 2026 may not only test the perceived limits of “Moditva” but also sharpen the ongoing ideological debate around the idea of a Hindu Rashtra.  

A BJP victory in West Bengal could mirror, in some ways, the 2017 Uttar Pradesh turning point, when Yogi Adityanath’s elevation as the chief minister signaled a more assertive articulation of Hindutva politics. In 2017, Amit Shah (then BJP national president) was asked - "Why an Yogi" as the chief minister. The response was quick : 

"Why not ? We should have more such choices". 

Yogi's governance model—often described as tough on law and order—has since become a reference point within the state of UP and beyond. It's popularly called the Bulldozer Model. 

2022 snap of Modi and Yogi - the new MY Card 

More than 90 per cent voters exercised their franchise in Bhabanipur, Suvendu claimed. 

"This is a record since the creation of the Bhabanipur assembly segment. This time too TMC managed about 10 fake votes. Five of them were in Ward 77. Some men clad in Burqa casts fake votes and they were caught too," Adhikari said.  "When I reached there ... they raised 'Jai Bangla' slogan. This slogan itself is from Bangladesh. They raised these slogans because their plans to ensure 2000 fake votes in that ward was stalled".  

ends 

“Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence", says CEC Gyanesh Kumar ::: Quote of the day from drama queen - "Central forces are supposed to guard the country's borders ....".

“Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence - chunav ka parv, Paschim Bengal ka garv [election season, pride of Bengal]," CEC Gyanesh Kumar has said.  

Quote of the day from drama queen - "Central forces are supposed to guard the country's borders ....".  (Mamata) 

A new kind of frustration was betrayed in the words of Mamata Banerjee's confidant Kunal Ghosh : 

"We will win more than 235 seats and the BJP will not even win more than 50 seats".

  

700 companies of central forces to stay in Bengal after polls. 

Around 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will continue to remain deployed across West Bengal after the completion of polling, an Election Commission official said on Wednesday.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is up against chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata’s prestigious Bhabanipur in the election’s battle royale, said over 90 per cent of the constituency’s electorate had voted, which was a record for the seat.

The ECINet app showed a polling percentage of 91.62 per cent, which is likely to go up as trends from phase 1 and earlier recent elections show.  

In 2021, Bhabanipur had registered 82 per cent voting and 78 per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly said.

“And at that time, the ruling party had put nearly 10 per cent false votes – dead, fake, double, triple entries,” he said.  “Today they could manage around 10 false votes, in which there are four-five votes from ward 77. Men were voting in burqas. We caught them also. They fled. 

"When I reached there, they raise the slogan of Bangladeshi Muslims – Joy Bangla. That is because I foiled their plot of posting around 2,000 false votes in an hour.”

He thanked IPS officer Charan Singh Meena for teaching the goons a lesson. The ruling Trinamool accused the central forces of intimidating their voters, of beating up women and children.

Most surveys have have bad news for TMC.  

 A couple of bigger agencies have said they will give their projections for Bengal on Thursday (April 30) evening.  

If exit polls predictions come true, one may say the repeated references to Bangladeshi 'ghuspaithiyas' or infiltrators helped the BJP shape a narrative in the TMC bastion. The Mamata regime has been infamous for courting Muslims not by working for the minority community's education and long term developmental measures; but even encouraging wrong doers. 

Local residents say even traffic police could not act against those without helmet if they traditional Muslim skull caps. The chief minister did not like flowers to be named 'Krishnakali' or rainbow to be called Ram-dhenu. 

Somewhere people - meaning Hindus - had to register their protest. 

A conclusion may be drawn that the talk of 'poriborton' or change has kept resonating, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly targeting Mamata over corruption and infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims. 

Analysts say Mamata Banerjee herself betrayed nervousness in the run up to the polls. 

For a leader who built her career in and around Bhabanipur, the constituency has always been more than just another electoral battleground. The Trinamool Congress campaign has leaned heavily on the slogan “Ghorer Meye” (daughter of the soil), but 2026 shaped up in a different manner.

On the polling day, Mamata kept moving from one polling booth to the other. If her presence will influence the voters. Her bitter rival Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did not miss the 'exception'. And he said Mamata seemed "restless".

This restlessness cannot be display of confidence. “Jodi paren, vote ta amay deben (If you can, please vote for me),” Mamata appealed at rally last week.

Her voice was unusually frail. Whether this was a deliberate emotional pitch or a reflection of political fatigue remains open to interpretation.

 

On the other side stands Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP’s heavyweight choice and the man who defeated Mamata in Nandigram in 2021. The BJP has avoided celebrity candidates, instead banking on a seasoned political rival with proven electoral credentials.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said voters are casting their vote in Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere" that was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades.

Modi, too, asserted that the Assembly election results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India. Many see the possible outcome of Bengal elections as a repeat of 2011 when Marxists were booted out of power and the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya himself lost. 

Suvendu is contesting from two seats - Nandigram and Bhabanipur. The BJP's decision to field Suvendu has perhaps proved a major game-changer in this year's elections especially in the context of perception battle.  

Frustration showed in Mamata's face even as she blasted the CEC and the poll observers.  

"The atrocities by the central forces are unprecedented. What is happening is not at all free and fair polls," Mamata said after casting her vote at Mitra Institution school in her Bhabanipur constituency. 

"Central forces are supposed to guard the country's borders, but instead they are working for a particular party," she said, without naming the BJP.

ends 

Most surveys have have bad news for TMC :::: ::: Exit polls Assam - Times Now shows -- BJP may get 88-101 ... Congress-led UDF set to return to power in Kerala with 75-85 seats

BJP to breach TMC fort in West Bengal, say 3 exit polls; 

one predicts Mamata win  

If predictions come true, a conclusion may be drawn that the talk of poriborton or change has kept resonating, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly targeting Mamata over corruption and infiltration. 

The repeated references to Bangladeshi 'ghuspaithiyas' or infiltrators helped the BJP shape a narrative in the TMC bastion.

Chanakya Strategies, forecast a saffron wave in Bengal for the first time. It gave the BJP 150-160 seats, while predicting 130-140 seats for the Trinamool.

As per Matrize News, Trinamool Congress could face a major setback in West Bengal. 

The BJP is projected to win 146-161 seats, while TMC is estimated to get 130-140 seats.

Poll Dairy predictions have bad news for TMC - saying Mamata Banerjee-led out fit may get 99-127 (clear short of 148 simple majority) while it gives BJP - 142-171

Others 5-9

ABP predicts TMC to win 125-140

BJP 146-161

 Exit polls Assam - Times Now shows --

BJP may get 88-101 in Assam 

PMARQ

shows TMC debacle with chances of winning 118 to 138

BJP: 150-175

• CONGRESS: 02-06

BJP hat-trick in Assam, NDA to win 88-100 seats, predicts Axis My India exit poll. 

Congress, it says -- on the other hand, is projected to secure between 24 and 36 seats, indicating a distant second position in the electoral contest for 126-member assembly. 

On exit polls for West Bengal, BJP candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, says, "The BJP government is being formed in the state with a two-thirds majority...People voted in large numbers against the TMC". 

In this Assembly polls, the TMC has repeated as many as 130 sitting MLAs – 126 from the same seat as 2021 and another 16 from new seats. Back in 2021, 69 of these MLAs had won their seats decisively, with more than 50% of the vote share, while another 59 had secured between 40% and 50%. In total, these candidates had won in 2021 by an average margin of 31,030 votes.

"I have never seen this type of democracy...", says Mamata on the role of CRPF and observers :::: Till 3 PM, voter turnout was 78.68 %

 TMC candidate from Bhabanipur and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says, 

"... The CRPF personnel and central observers are beating people; they have not even spared women and children. Since last night, they have started atrocities. How many of our people have they taken into custody. This is contempt of court, I have never seen this type of  democracy...".  

Purba Bardhaman recorded the highest turnout at 92.46 per cent, reflecting strong voter participation in the region. In Kolkata North, turnout stood at 87.77 per cent till 5 pm.

BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh says, "How frightened the Trinamool Congress has become can be understood by the statement of Saokat Molla. For so long, the Trinamool has manipulated the police administration to serve its own ends. Now that the police are acting in accordance with the law, they are growing fearful....". 

BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari says, 

"Just now the CEO has given the order that in the entire state, wherever more than 4 people will gather, the central forces can do whatever they want to disperse them. The CEO has ordered that those who have already cast their votes should go home...".

On the TMC, he says, "Bangladeshi Muslims, infiltrators, those people were creating a ruckus... but all Hindus have woken up...".  

TMC candidate from Bhangar assembly constituency, Saokat Molla says, "... Police carried out a lathi charge, some supporters were injured. Last night, they beat our supporters, broke houses, vandalised property. This officer works like a commission agent, as a BJP stooge, using lathi charges, but won’t win. People will vote for TMC. We’ll go to Raghunathpur from here. The atmosphere seems tense."

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared a video on X, claiming that white tape had been placed on the party's symbol in booth numbers 144 and 189 in the Falta assembly seat, and demanded a re-poll.  

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Wednesday said repolling is likely to be announced in booths where EVMs would be found tampered with. The CEO said that a repoll will be ordered only after the authorities get reports from the district election officer or election observers on allegations of tampering with EVMs using tapes or blot of ink.  

Polling in the 142 Assembly constituencies is underway in second phase of voting in West Bengal across seven districts. 

Amid the voting, incidents of chaos and violence have been reported from multiple districts. A BJP polling agent from Nadia was injured in an attack allegedly by TMC workers. 

The RG Kar rape and murder victim’s mother, who is a BJP candidate, has alleged attack by TMC workers. 

The TMC, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of using official machinery to intimidate voters. 

Till 3 PM, the second phase of the election recorded an overall voter turnout of 78.68%.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, “In any state of India, you are free to eat what you like, wear what you like, and speak as you wish. 

There are no such restrictions, especially not in BJP-ruled states. Some people (referring to TMC), who have no achievements to show from their 15 years in government, are trying to spread fear and confusion… 

But people will not forgive their 15 years of poor governance.”

Blogger 

ends 

"Mamata is restless," says Cogress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury : An estimated 60 per cent took place by 1 pm ::: Charge and Counter Charge ;;;; While Mamata flays 'observers'; Suvendu says TMC chief is threatening Hindu voters

West Bengal records 40% turnout amid scattered incidents of violence

Over 61% voter turnout till 1 pm; 

Congress candidate from Behrampur, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "... This is for the first time we are seeing that Mamata Banerjee has been going from one booth to another in her constituency. This is unprecedented. She seems restless. She is not confident of her victory...". 

All eyes are on Bhabanipur. 

Beneath the electoral fever lies a Bhabanipur that is, in effect, a palimpsest of post-Plassey Bengal. It was among the 55 villages — the Dihi Panchannagram — that the East India Company purchased in 1758 from Mir Jafar, a nascent suburb beyond the Maratha Ditch where kansari, teli, shankhari and goala settlers built a native identity on the fringes of the colonial capital from which Britain’s empire, stretching from Khyber Pass to Singapore, came to be ruled.

Till 11 AM, the state recorded an overall voter turnout of 39.97%

&&&

Among the 142 seats voting today, Kolkata has 11 seats.

North 24 Parganas alone has 33, 

South 24 Parganas 31, Nadia 17, Howrah 16, Hooghly 18, while Purba Bardhaman has 16.  

"She (Mamata Banerjee) will lose, BJP will win. I have lead in seven wards, she will not get anything in ward No 77." BJP candidate from Bhabanipur Suvendu Adhikari told reporters exuding confidence. The ward no. 77 area includes mixed demographics. 

Ward No. 77 is a key area in the Bhabanipur constituency of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, bordered by Karl Marx Sarani, Diamond Harbour Road, Kavi Mohammad Iqbal Road, and Bhukailash Road. 

Bhabanipur has large sections of Marwaris, Gujaratis and Punjabis. The assembly segment where Suvendu is taking on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also has about 33 per cent of Muslim population. 

PM Narendra Modi thanks Bengal's "great people" for high voter turnout, urges continued participation in "festival of democracy"

Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of rigging and slammed Election Commission observers, calling them 'terrorists'.  In response, Suvendu Adhikari alleged that she was moving with 'goonda elements' to intimidate voters and claimed Hindu voters were being threatened during polling in Bhabanipur, escalating political tensions. 

Just before this concluding phase of polling, 1,468 names were added back to the state’s electoral roll on Tuesday, taking the total number of electors eligible for today’s voting to 3.22 crore. 

In the last supplementary list, ahead of the first phase of Assembly elections for 154 seats, 139 names had been included. 

After the adjudication process had marked out 27.10 lakh names for deletion due to “logical discrepancies”, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) emerged as a highly politically sensitive issue this elections.

Voters Turnout 

1 Hoogly 43.12%
2 Howrah 39.45%
3 Kolkata North 38.39%
4 Kolkata South 36.78%
5 Naida 40.34%
6 North 24 Parganas 38.43%
7 Purba Bardaman 44.50%
9 South 24 Parganas 37.92% Unprecedented security arrangements and strict vigil of poll observers including cops and even encounter specialists from UP have left TMC stunned and aggrieved in many places.  

 In a major crackdown in Abhishek Banerjee's fiefdom, Diamond Harbour, the Election Commsiion has shunted out Sourav Hazra out of Falta and posted him to Purulia with immediate effect.

He has been replaced by Ramya Bhattacharya. 

The transfer of Hazra comes in the backdrop of allegations of 'non-cooperation' by him with EC-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, who faced protests by TMC workers during his visit to the residence of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan and his associates in the area since Monday night.

West Bengal Elections ::: Second phase voting begins ... :::: Panihati: Mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath casts vote

West Bengal Elections 

Panihati: Mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate from Panihati seat, Ratna Debnath shows her inked finger after casting her vote at a polling booth here.

Video link 

Ratna Debnath says, "I feel there is some problem with the press button on the EVM. It is taking time to press it, I will inform the officer... I thank every voter who came early to vote and I appeal to all voters to come out and vote. I believe I will get justice."  

Roopa Ganguly, BJP candidate from the Sonarpur Dakshin assembly seat, says, "There was a slight problem with the machine and battery. I quickly got it fixed. I can't say anything more right now."

TMC MP Mahua Moitra casts her vote at polling booth number 120, Karimpur Girls High School in Nadia.  

On the 2nd phase of voting for West Bengal Elections 2026, BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar, Dilip Ghosh, says, 

"...Our fight isn't for any one election. We've come for social change. We're fighting to bring about change in people's lives and to see that change in front of us... 

We will continue to fight and move forward... People are ready to vote. Where there used to be 60-65% voter turnout, there are now 90-95% voting... The Election Commission's strictness this time has further boosted people's morale...".  

Nuns arrive at St Mary's Church School to cast their votes as voting is underway for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. 

Video Link 2 

BJP candidate from the Pursurah constituency, Biman Ghosh exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Hooghly.  

Former Union Minister and next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, says, 

"This is a festival of democracy. And in this festival of democracy, everyone is happy. This is our heritage. I want to congratulate the Election Commission and all our security personnel who have left their homes and families to come here."

"Whatever the Election Commission does, it does what is legally permitted. Because their sole objective is to facilitate voting for every citizen... So, I congratulate the Election Commission and all its soldiers, and I salute them."

"The festival that is happening today, Bangladesh also celebrated that festival just a few months ago. Bhupen Hazarika, he was very close to us. I like one of his songs very much. And that song is 'Ganga Amar Maa'...". 

Dinesh Trivedi 

After casting his vote, BJP candidate from Bhatpara seat, Pawan Singh says, "It felt great. Voting is being held peacefully. I hope it will be peaceful throughout the day. But I would like to urge people to vote as early as possible...",