18.76% voter turnout recorded till 9 AM in the first phase
By 9 AM, a voter turnout of 18.76% has been recorded in the first phase of the West Bengal Election 2026.
2026-04-23 09:42Panskura West poll row: Viral audio sparks TMC-Independent link claims
A political controversy has erupted in Panskura West after a purported viral audio clip, yet to be independently verified, surfaced ahead of polling. The BJP alleges the clip reveals a nexus between Independent candidate Narayan Kinkar Mishra, a former BJP leader, and Trinamool Congress functionary Sheikh Samiruddin, who has acknowledged the conversation. BJP candidate Sintu Senapati claimed Mishra’s Independent candidature is a planned move backed by Trinamool to split votes. Mishra, who has contested multiple elections unsuccessfully, had earlier filed a financial fraud case against Senapati. Responding to the allegations, Samiruddin said the conversation was old and related to a financial dispute, adding that Trinamool only extended legal assistance. Mishra could not be reached for comment.
2026-04-23 09:08Suvendu Adhikari’s polling agent arrested? BJP candidate seeks EC action
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that his polling agent was arrested and raised complaints against Pingla OC Chinmoy Pramanik. He said the matter has been reported to state police observer Mishra and CEO Manoj Agarwal, demanding immediate removal and suspension of the officer
2026-04-23 09:00EVM snag stalls Congress vote in Suri
At Booth No. 159 in Kaligati Nari Shiksha Niketan, Suri, Congress candidate Sanjay Adhikari alleged that a faulty EVM prevented him from casting his vote despite waiting for over an hour, adding that the lost time should be compensated. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress candidate Ujjal Chattopadhyay cast his vote at his booth, Netaji Vidyabhavan.
2026-04-23 08:22Rajganj TMC candidate Swapna Barman casts vote with family in Siliguri
Asian Games gold medallist and Trinamool Congress candidate from Rajganj, Swapna Barman, cast her vote along with her family at Patkata Ghoshpara BFP School in Siliguri. Her booth number is 18/197.
2026-04-23 08:28TMC's Pabitra Kar casts vote in high-stakes Nandigram battle
Trinamool Congress candidate Pabitra Kar cast his vote during Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections in Nandigram. He voted at Booth No. 7 of Shambhunath Primary School. BJP candidate and Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, is also contesting from the same constituency.
2026-04-23 08:21Suvendu Adhikari casts vote early in Nandigram
On Thursday morning, Suvendu Adhikari reached the polling station early. Just before 8 AM, he arrived at Booth No. 79, Nandnayak Bar Primary School in Nandigram, where he is set to cast his vote.
2026-04-23 08:20Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury hopeful on Phase 1 voting morning
On the morning of the first phase of voting, Adhir Chowdhury expressed optimism. He believes that the Congress will regain much of its lost ground in Murshidabad. According to him, “The ruling party has spent crores of rupees on campaigning. But I am hopeful that this time Congress will recover a significant part of its lost base.”
