"It was very heartening that this phase has gone by and large peacefully, contrary to the general belief that it will be much more violent as it has happened in the past. I must thank all the people involved in this process, that is, the state police, CAPF, poll officials, and each and every one who has made this happen. I don't have any reports on law and order which attract repolling so far. I will not say that on account of law and order, there will be a repoll in any of the polling stations... On the law and order issue, we have been getting complaints throughout the day, and we addressed all the complaints and resolved them within the shortest possible time," said NK Mishra, Special Poll Observer.

#WATCH | Kolkata: On West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, N.K. Mishra, Special Poll Observer, says, "It was very heartening that this phase has gone by and large peacefully, contrary to the general belief that it will be much more violent as it has happened in the past. I must… pic.twitter.com/Peo7fBhmdK

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

West Bengal records 92.47 per cent voter turnout in two-phase elections, highest since Independence.

"The people of West Bengal have never seen an election like this. They joined this election in a festive mood. This was a democratic fight. This wasn't just an election to make someone the Chief Minister, remove a party, or bring another party in. This election was to prevent West Bengal from becoming West Bangladesh. This was a fight for Hindu Bengalis. This was also a fight for progressive and nationalist Muslims, and all Bengalis united and participated in this election today. The election is over. There is no news of any loss of life yet. The fact that such an election can happen is a big issue for us, and the Trinamool Congress's departure is certain," said West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya.

#WATCH | Kolkata | West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya says, "The people of West Bengal have never seen an election like this. They joined this election in a festive mood. This was a democratic fight. This wasn't just an election to make someone the Chief Minister,… pic.twitter.com/AFnOpLLjId

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

"The exit polls are baseless. It has nothing to do with the ground reality. We will win more than 235 seats and the BJP will not even win more than 50 seats," said Trinamool Leader Kunal Ghosh.

#WATCH | Kolkata | On exit polls for West Bengal, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, "The exit polls are baseless...It has nothing to do with the ground reality...We will win more than 235 seats and the BJP will not even win more than 50 seats" pic.twitter.com/kOfHJ4hWYv

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

"Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence - Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv," said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 

"In the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, more than 90% of voters have cast their votes. This is a record. In 2021, the voter turnout here was 82%; in 2024, it was 78%. This time, they could only cast 10-12 fake votes, in which 4-5 men wearing burqas cast votes at some booths in Ward 77. We caught them, after which they fled," said BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari.

#WATCH | West Bengal: BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari says, "...In the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, more than 90% of voters have cast their votes. This is a record. In 2021, the voter turnout here was 82%; in 2024, it was 78%. This time, they could only cast 10-12 fake votes,… pic.twitter.com/jIlLrntGep

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had on Monday said that central forces would stay in Bengal for 60 days after the polls.

"Thank you very much to the people, there has never been such a high voter turnout as there was this time. People will uproot and throw out the TMC. Everyone is ready to remove Mamata Banerjee. Our only regret is that when such an incident happens, our female Chief Minister herself insults women... Those who say such things that girls should not go out after 8 PM, when my daughter was murdered, they said that girls should not do night duty. This time Bengal will fight against this," said Ratna Debnath, mother of RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate from Panihati.

#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: Mother of RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate from Panihati, Ratna Debnath, says, "Thank you very much to the people, there has never been such a high voter turnout as there was this time. People will uproot and… pic.twitter.com/jRfFsRfAqR

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

"The voting is about to end now. One person has created a card for four booths. He is the husband of a councillor. He enters the polling station and casts votes forcefully. The presiding officer does not say anything. We will complain to the Election Commission," said Arjun Singh, BJP candidate from Noapara

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Kolkata: BJP candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, says, "The voting is about to end now. One person has created a card for four booths. He is the husband of a Councillor. He enters the polling station and casts votes… https://t.co/KktcRWdWZZ pic.twitter.com/3hR0M39Osy

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Highest voting in Purba Bardhaman - 92.46%

Lowest voting in Kolkata South - 86.11%

"This time the elections here are being successfully conducted in two phases. In the future, elections will take place in a single phase... I would appeal to the people to come and definitely cast their votes before 6 PM. The voters have seen that the names of dead voters have been removed, and they are happy about that with the SIR. Just as the elections have been peaceful, there should be no violence after the elections. This should not happen, and the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs have decided that battalions and companies of several paramilitary forces will remain here after the elections," said Manoj Agarwal, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer.

#WATCH | Kolkata: West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 | West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal says, "... This time the elections here are being successfully conducted in two phases. In the future, elections will take place in a single phase... I would appeal to the people to come and… pic.twitter.com/nKaeil1VG7

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of over 90 per cent till 5 PM. 

"None of the booths are safe... The CRPF cannot torture like this," Banerjee said, pointing out that no state police personnel have been posted at the booth.

"If we win, we will give the greatest credit to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, who stood firm in the face of the storm. TMC will win around 200 plus seats," said Madan Mitra, Trinamool candidate from the Kamarhati Assembly constituency.

#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: TMC candidate from the Kamarhati Assembly constituency, Madan Mitra says, "If we win, we will give the greatest credit to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, who stood firm in the face of the storm...TMC will win around 200 plus… pic.twitter.com/javNlJt0XH

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

As polling in West Bengal draws to a close, all eyes have now shifted to the exit poll predictions, which are scheduled to be released after 6:30 PM on Wednesday. LIVE UPDATES HERE

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shows her inked finger after casting her vote.

#WATCH | West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 | Kolkata | TMC candidate from Bhabanipur and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, shows her inked finger after casting her vote. pic.twitter.com/NTAqN1N903

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

"TMC is Winning in Bengal", says West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of casting her vote in Bhabanipur

"Voting is taking place peacefully, there have been incidents in some places...We have also seen reports of the malfunctioning of EVMs," said Sujit Bose, Trinamool candidate from Bidhannagar constituency.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate contesting from the Bidhannagar constituency, Sujit Bose, says, "Voting is taking place peacefully, there have been incidents in some places...We have also seen reports of the malfunctioning of EVMs..." pic.twitter.com/yJqMICt5S0

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Highest voting in Purba Bardhaman – 83.11%

Lowest voting in Kolkata South – 75.38%

Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of over 78% till 3 PM. 

West Bengal Minister and TMC candidate from Kolkata Port Assembly constituency, Firhad Hakim, along with his family, cast vote at booth number 258 in Chetla Girls' High School in Kolkata.

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | West Bengal Minister and TMC candidate from Kolkata Port Assembly constituency, Firhad Hakim, along with his family, casts his vote at booth number 258 in Chetla Girls' High School in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/sqbU2E2o1u

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Sourav Ganguly, and his wife, Dona Ganguly, cast their vote at a polling booth in South 24 Parganas.

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Former Captain of the Indian Cricket Team, Sourav Ganguly, and his wife, Dona Ganguly, cast their vote at a polling booth in South 24 Parganas. pic.twitter.com/f244EGnqkk

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Crude bombs were found in a bag near Biruri Primary School polling booth in Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district amid the second phase of voting.

Central forces secured the explosives, and CID bomb squad is defusing them, officials said.

The polling has been temporarily stopped in some booths in Bengal's Falta - where the BJP alleged that its button on the electronic voting machine (EVM) has been taped.

Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of over 61% till 1 PM.

BJP's candidate for the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district is Ratna Debnath. She is the mother of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in 2024, a crime which had led to massive protests against the Mamata Banerjee government.  

Panihati has long been a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress, but the BJP hopes Ratna Debnath will be able to breach it.

Debnath said she decided to contest elections to continue her fight for justice and to challenge what she sees as failures in the system and accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of failing to save her daughter from the horrific crime.

"My main enemy is Mamata Banerjee because she's the health minister, and my daughter worked for the health department. Why didn't Mamata Banerjee save my daughter?" she said.

RG Kar victim's mother, Ratna Debnath, claimed that TMC "goons" tried to attack her at a polling booth in Panihati and used "abusive language" against her.

"They said I was doing business in my daughter's name. They misbehaved with me and said that they would see me on May 4. I complained to the police and demanded their arrest, but the police asked me to leave the spot. I asked them to allow my Chief Election Agent to be with me, but they did not allow it. After I complained at the police station, they came and removed all the TMC workers who were present there," she told ANI.

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday said that the polling booths with taping of any EVM button will undergo repolling, after the BJP alleged irregularities in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency.

"If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll," West Bengal CEO said.

Earlier today, BJP's co-incharge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during the ongoing phase two of Assembly polling.

He claimed that in multiple booths, the BJP option was allegedly blocked using tape, calling it the "Diamond Harbour Model" and demanding a repoll in the affected areas.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is monitoring the second phase of Bengal polls on big screens. 

CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim and his wife, Rosina Khatun, show their inked finger after casting a vote at a polling booth in Kolkata. 

Trinamool has been accused of a major election malpractice in the stronghold of Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as Bengal votes in the second phase of the crucial assembly elections. The BJP has alleged that the option to vote for the BJP was "blocked using a tape" in several polling booths in Falta in the Diamond Harbour area.

Amit Malviya, the BJP's media in-charge, has demanded repolling in all affected booths in Falta where such election frauds have occurred.

"In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called "Diamond Harbour Model," the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat," the BJP leader said in a post.

Bengal has recorded nearly 40 per cent voter turnout till 11 am.

Why is Phase 2 of West Bengal polls so important? NDTV's @ShivAroor decodes #BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/Vcxq6Krixz

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

An alleged attack on BJP candidate Bikash Sardar's vehicle was reported at booth number 76 in Basanti during a visit. There was allegedly an attempt to snatch his security personnel's firearm, the party said, alleging the attack by Trinamool.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is visiting different locations, including party offices in her constituency, as voting continues in the final phase of state Assembly elections. 

#WATCH | TMC Bhabanipur candidate & Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits different locations, including party offices in her constituency, as voting continues in the final phase of West Bengal elections pic.twitter.com/ecFIRH4FWZ

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari told NDTV that Mamata Banerjee has "destroyed" the state of Bengal.

"Mamata Banerjee has compromised jobs, unemployment, and women's safety. I am confident in winning seven wards by a 30,000 margin. She is saying Kolkata South is Trinamool stronghold - but let May 4 come, we will see," he said.

In Howrah, a local confectioner has unveiled a vibrant collection of "election-themed" sweets, turning the state's fierce political rivalry into a celebration of its famous culinary heritage.

At a renowned sweet shop in the heart of Howrah, the display cases are no longer filled with just traditional Rosogollas and Sandesh. Instead, they feature meticulously crafted sweets shaped like party symbols.

Elaborate Sandesh moulds featuring the grass and flowers of the TMC, the lotus of the BJP, the open hand symbol of Congress and the hammer and sickle of the Left.

TMC's Abhishek Banerjee took a jibe at the BJP-led central government over the deployment of CRPF armoured vehicles for maintaining law and order, saying the "INS warships and Rafale are yet to be deployed".

"...Do that too. The thing that you should be doing against Bangladesh and Pakistan, you are doing it against the people of Bengal, and call us Bangladeshi," he said.

Banerjee added, "So those who talk about fear and trust, people are watching who are creating an environment of fear and terror in Bengal,  and people will answer for it. If voters are being lathi-charged, then how will there be a fear-free election? If you have stopped 30 lakh people from voting, then who is spreading the atmosphere of terror and fear?"

Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote in the second and final phase of the West Bengal elections, and urged people to do the same.

"This vote is for the Bengal we love. For its people, its spirit, its shared future. I urge everyone to vote with courage and conviction. Let your vote firmly reject the harassment people faced in the name of long lines for petty politics," he said in a post on X. 

This vote is for the Bengal we love. For its people, its spirit, its shared future.
I urge everyone to vote with courage and conviction. Let your vote firmly reject the harassment people faced in the name of long lines for petty politics. pic.twitter.com/YDTLAQqKez

— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) April 29, 2026

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari and Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee are outside the same polling booth in Bhabanipur - from where they are contesting the elections against each other.

Hitting out at Banerjee, the BJP leader questioned why she is walking around with people when Section 163 is in place. 

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, says, "Section 163 (of BNSS) is in effect here. Mamata Banerjee is walking around with several people. Why is Mamata Banerjee roaming here? pic.twitter.com/KsuJJTfuPT

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting against Mamata Banerjee from the Bhabanipur constituency, said that she will lose by a "margin of 30,000 votes".

Tension erupted at booth number 147 in Bengal's Hooghly over allegations of appointing fake polling agents. A scuffle broke out between ISF and Trinamool supporters in front of the booth.

According to ISF, their polling agent's form was forged, and a Trinamool agent was illegally placed in the booth. They also alleged that their agent was threatened overnight and prevented from reaching the booth. Upon receiving the news, the ISF candidate from Khanakul rushed to the booth and removed the alleged fake agent.

Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.4 per cent till 9 am.

While Maniktala saw the highest turnout of 18.41 per cent, Bhabanipur - where a key battle is witnessed between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari - recorded 17.08 per cent voter turnout.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, urged the people of Bengal to vote in "large numbers". He also told them "not to be influenced" or "intimidated" by anyone.

"Today marks the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections. I urge every voter to step out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right without fear or hesitation. Do not be influenced or intimidated by anyone. Vote for progressive values. Vote for development. Vote for harmony. Vote for amity," he said.

He added, "West Bengal has always led the way in driving meaningful change, and today is another such moment. This is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine your rights and give them a befitting reply. I especially appeal to young and first-time voters, your voice matters. Ensure that the spirit of true Democracy persists in West Bengal." 

Today marks the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections. I urge every voter to step out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right without fear or hesitation.
Do not be influenced or intimidated by anyone. Vote for progressive values. Vote for…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 29, 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sits outside the Bhabanipur polling booth. Bhabanipur is her home turf, which she has held since 2011.

An elderly woman arrives to cast her vote in Bhabanipur, Kolkata, as polling is underway in 142 seats in Bengal.

#Watch | An elderly woman arrives to cast her vote in Bhabanipur, Kolkata as polling is underway in 142 seats in West Bengal#WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/5OUkzZq6QT

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

The central forces can be seen detaining a man amid clashes over EVM 'glitch' in Bengal. 

#Watch | An EVM glitch reportedly sparks clash in Bally. CRPF personnel detain two people#BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/g4gXfLwrQD

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

As violence was reported in the early hours of polling in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the central forces, saying they are "picking" Trinamool leaders. She also alleged that the central forces are "acting at BJP's behest".

"Polling can't be done like this," she said.

Mamata Banerjee was going from one polling booth to the other, slamming the forces.

NDTV tracks phase 2 of polling in West Bengal @SreyashiDey @prabhakarjourno @ShreyaG9401 #BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/MTlMUZu50O

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

An EVM 'glitch' sparked clashes in West Bengal's Bally during the early hours of polling, with the central forces resorting to a lathi-charge. 

Two people have been arrested, officials said.

In another incident, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by "miscreants linked to the ruling TMC" at booth number 53 in Chapra in Nadia district, party leaders said.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee arrives at his polling booth in Bhabanipur to cast his vote.

He is contesting the election from Bhabanipur against Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee - who has held the seat since 2011. 

Senior Trinamool Congress leader & MP Abhishek Banerjee arrives at his polling booth in Bhabanipur to cast his vote#BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/OtoOA0wcBy

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

ISKCON monks chant 'Hare Krishna' and sing 'Bhajans' as they head to cast their votes in the second and last phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. 

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: The monks of the ISKCON chant 'Hare Krishna' and sing 'Bhajans' as they head to cast their votes in the second and last phase of Assembly elections #WestBengalLegislativeAssemblyelection2026 pic.twitter.com/ur7zSB8dmH

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal engages in a verbal altercation with polling officers and security personnel at a polling booth in Kolkata, where her polling agent was reportedly sent out due to the booth's small size. 

The TMC election agent also joined the altercation, after which both were sent out. 

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | BJP candidate from Entally constituency Priyanka Tibrewal enters into a verbal altercation with polling officers and security personnel at a polling booth in Kolkata where her polling agent was reportedly sent out due to the small size of the… pic.twitter.com/4cNMlZhQhJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

RG Kar Victim's mother and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath cast her vote in Panihati.

BJP's Swapan Dasgupta speaks to NDTV outside his polling booth as voting is underway in phase 2 of West Bengal Elections. 

BJP's Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) speaks to NDTV's @manogyaloiwal outside his polling booth as polling is underway in phase 2 of #WestBengalElections#BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/rE5Gj4SMUH

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the people of Bengal to vote in "record numbers" for "Sonar Bangla".

"I appeal to all voters of the second and final phase to come out in large numbers to vote, especially mothers, sisters, and youth, to free Bengal from the reign of fear, syndicates, and corruption. Your one vote will not only restore Bengal's pride but also become a means to ensure the safety of women. Only a government that has both a vision for development and the resolve to identify and expel infiltrators can fulfill the dreams of Bengal's youth," he wrote in a post on X. 

बंगाल को भय, सिंडिकेट और भ्रष्टाचार के शासन से मुक्त करने के लिए दूसरे और अंतिम चरण के सभी मतदाताओं, विशेषकर माताओं, बहनों और युवाओं से अपील करता हूँ कि आप अधिक से अधिक संख्या में मतदान करें।
आपका एक वोट बंगाल के गौरव को पुनर्स्थापित करने के साथ-साथ महिलाओं को सुरक्षा देने का…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 29, 2026

The Election Commission has shared photos of women voters queued up to vote in Bengal.

Early morning queues of our Women voters - enthusiasm at its peak in the festival of Democracy. #Phase2
Glimpses of women voters at a polling station in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal #WestBengalElections2026#ECI pic.twitter.com/7nsbg8Sion

— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 29, 2026

A BJP polling agent has claimed that he was struck on the head at a polling booth in Chapra as the second phase of voting began.

The injured person was identified as Musharaf Mir - who alleged that Trinamool "goons" attacked him.

A total of 1,468 people, who have been added to the West Bengal electoral rolls following the SIR-linked tribunal orders, will be able to exercise their franchise in the second and final phase of the assembly polls today.

According to the Election Commission, voters whose names appear in the supplementary roll can check details by entering their EPIC number on its website.

"Electors whose appeals were disposed of by the appellate tribunals till April 27 have been included in a supplementary roll, and they will be able to vote in the second phase," the EC official told PTI.

The second phase of polling will cover 142 constituencies spread across seven districts of West Bengal.

 BJP candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, arrives to cast his vote for Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections.  

#Watch | BJP candidate from the Noapara constituency, Arjun Singh, arrives to cast his vote for Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections.#WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/yBsTjFbpfP

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

🔴Watch NDTV’s continuous coverage | Polling begins in 142 seats under phase 2 of voting in West Bengal @PadmajaJoshi @Vasudha156#BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections https://t.co/swJRBpngfq

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026

As Bengal elections continue to keep us on tenterhooks, NDTV has traversed the murky political landscape of the state for several months to get a sense of the ground. Is it a Modi wave, or does Mamata still hold strong?

Will the issue of infiltration lead to tectonic shifts, or will the Bohiragata vs Bengali narrative drown out other issues? Will the first phase, which covered North Bengal and is projected to be a saffron stronghold, propel the BJP to a historic victory, or will Mamata hold the bull by the horns by sweeping South Bengal, which goes to polls today?

The debates are never-ending, making it one of the most nail-biting elections of the season. NDTV's power-packed team explored the politics of jhalmuri, fish, infiltration, and women's security. From exclusive interviews with stakeholders and conversations with communities across the state's diverse demography, we offer you the key takeaways from our reporters and seasoned editors to help you decode the nitty-gritty.

Sekharranjan Debnath, father of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, became emotional as he spoke about going to cast his vote for the West Bengal Assembly Elections.

"It's very sad that we have to resort to this method to get justice for our girl. But we will win and get justice for our daughter. We are with the public," he said.

His wife, Ratna Debnath, is contesting the elections from the Panihati seat as a BJP candidate. 

#WATCH | Panihati, West Bengal | Sekharranjan Debnath, father of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, gets emotional as he talks about going to cast his vote for the West Bengal Assembly Elections.
He says, "It's very sad that we have to resort to this method to… pic.twitter.com/cnPDUI37s8

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, urged people of Bengal to vote in "record numbers" in the second and final phase of polling.

"Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise," he said. 

Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.
Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2026

Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections has begun.

People form queues at polling stations ahead of the voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | People form queues at a polling station in Nadia ahead of the voting for the second and final phase of the state assembly elections.
Voting to begin at 7 am. pic.twitter.com/yQhrDDstG4

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

Mock polling is underway at polling booths in West Bengal ahead of the Phase 2 of voting.

#WATCH | Arambagh, Hooghly | Mock polls underway at the polling booth number 232 under 201 Goghat Assembly constituency for Phase 2 of West Bengal Assembly elections.
Visuals from Teligram Prathamik Vidyalaya pic.twitter.com/tW7dAcCS7B

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026

The key players in the second phase of voting include:

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim

State minister Shashi Panja

State minister Aroop Biswas

State minister Bratya Basu

State minister Sujit Basu

State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya

The BJP, which has gone for local faces this time to counter the outsider tag, has fielded Swapan Dasgupta, actor Rupa Ganguli, and from Panihati, the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim. 

Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held today, with a key focus on the battle between Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.

Since 2011, the Bhabanipur seat has been a Trinamool stronghold, held by the party chief, Mamata Banerjee.