Phase II of the polls in West Bengal was marked by an intense political exchange as Derek O’Brien challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resign if the Trinamool Congress wins the upcoming election in the state.
In a video posted on social media, the TMC MP said, “You had announced that you are the candidate for all 294 seats in Bengal. Drop the big talk. Accept this challenge. On May 4, when Mamata Banerjee and TMC win Bengal, resign from the Prime Minister’s post… Got the guts?”
High-stakes polling underway
These comments have come amid voting for 142 constituencies taking place in Phase II of the State assembly election in West Bengal. These seats, spread across seven districts, include several regions considered TMC strongholds.
Narendra, aapne announce kiya tha, Bangal ki sabhi 294 seats par aap hi candidate hain
— Derek O'Brien | àেàà§‡à• à“'àà§ààà¯à¼à§‡à¨ (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2026
Badi-badi baat chhodiye. Ye challenge sweekar kijiye
4 May ko jab Mamata Banerjee aur TMC Bangal jeetenge, PRADHAN MANTRI PAD SE RESIGNATION DIJIYE
Hain dum? pic.twitter.com/0i81SHyhOf
The number of voters who will get an opportunity to exercise their franchise during the Phase II is around 32.1 million and these voters will decide the fates of around 1,448 candidates. This includes the BJP, which is the main opposition to TMC in West Bengal and has made an aggressive campaign in the last few weeks.
Mamata alleges irregularities
Amid voting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised concerns over the conduct of central forces deployed for election duty.
“They are not allowing the councillor of ward number 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys,” Banerjee told reporters, alleging interference in the electoral process.
She further claimed that observers and security personnel from outside the state were acting under political influence and disrupting normal voting conditions. Banerjee also alleged that a party worker was assaulted and that attempts were being made to influence the election outcome.
Campaign heats up
The developments underline the increasingly combative tone of the West Bengal election, with both sides trading accusations as polling progresses.
With high voter turnout expected and political stakes rising, the results of this phase are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome of the election.
