West Bengal witnessed a significant political shift as the BJP formed its first government, largely influenced by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This exercise, which removed nearly 12% of voters, disproportionately affected minority communities and became a central, contentious issue, reshaping voting trends and contributing to the BJP's surge across the state.
Suvendu Adhikari, a former Mamata Banerjee aide, emerged as a key figure in BJP's West Bengal victory, defeating the CM in Nandigram. His political journey, from Congress to TMC and then to BJP, highlights his strategic shifts. Adhikari's aggressive campaign, focusing on corruption and Hindutva, resonated with voters, positioning him as a significant leader in the saffron party's state unit.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee faces a significant challenge from Suvendu Adhikari as vote counting commences. The focus is on the Bhowanipore and Nandigram constituencies, sites of their previous electoral contests.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claims the Trinamool Congress will win over 200 seats in the assembly elections, dismissing exit polls as stock market manipulation. She also criticized the Central Armed Police Forces for alleged brutality against her party workers.
Trinamool Congress has raised concerns with the Election Commission regarding alleged CCTV blackouts and unauthorized access to EVM strongrooms. BJP dismissed these claims as tactics by a party anticipating defeat. TMC representatives reported seeing individuals inside sealed rooms without party agents present, fueling suspicion ahead of counting day.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resign from the top post if the ruling Trinamool Congress wins the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. In a post on X, O'Brien referenced Modi's claim of being a candidate for all 294 seats in Bengal and dared him to accept the challenge, with results scheduled for May 4. The second and final phase of polling saw over 3.22 crore voters exercising their franchise across 41,001 polling stations.
As West Bengal prepares for phase 2 of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, the Kolkata MeT has issued an orange alert for rain, lightning, and gusty winds, promising relief from recent high temperatures.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed confidence in her Trinamool Congress party's victory in the upcoming Assembly elections, citing overwhelming public support during recent padyatras and Janasabhas. Banerjee emphasized Bengal's cultural heritage as a beacon of harmony and warned against divisive forces seeking to tarnish the state's heritage. She highlighted her government's development initiatives, asserting no malicious force can halt progress. The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, with vote counting on May 4.
Gurgaon residents are struggling to find domestic help as many workers have returned to West Bengal for assembly elections. Instant help platforms are reporting a 30-35% reduction in available staff, leading to doubled workloads and increased service costs.
Political campaigns in West Bengal are using fish and meat as symbols to connect with voters, highlighting the state's deep-rooted non-vegetarian culture. Beneath the political theater lies a substantial economic sector involving fisheries, poultry, and food services.
Political campaigns in West Bengal are using fish and meat as symbols to connect with voters. Beneath this political theater lies a significant economic engine, with the state leading in meat production and maintaining a vital fish industry that supports millions of livelihoods.
A video emerged showing BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar being chased through fields and allegedly assaulted by a mob in Kumarganj constituency during the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections 2026. Sarkar claimed his polling agents were forcibly removed from 8-10 polling stations and that he was attacked at Booth No. 24 while inspecting the situation. He alleged Trinamool Congress supporters were responsible and claimed to be injured with his vehicle vandalized. Clashes were also reported in Murshidabad and Birbhum. Despite the violence, officials said polling was largely peaceful with voter turnout exceeding 60% by 1pm.
BJP candidates in West Bengal are campaigning with fish as a prop to appeal to local voters, transforming a culinary staple into political theatre. The practice comes as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warns that the BJP threatens Bengal's fish-and-rice culture, while the party pushes back against claims it will prohibit fish consumption. Fish carries deep cultural significance in Bengal, where 65.7% of people consume it weekly, making it a powerful symbol of identity and belonging.
