West Bengal phase 2 voting kicks off: PM Modi calls for 'record turnout'

Voting for the second and final phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections began at 7 am on Wednesday, covering 142 constituencies across the state's southern districts. Polling will continue till 6:30 pm, with voters in queue at closing time permitted to cast their ballots.

This phase spans key regions, including Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24-Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman; areas considered central to the electoral strength of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

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High stakes

The outcome of this phase is crucial in determining whether the ruling party, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, can maintain its dominance in the southern belt. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC secured 123 of these 142 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 18 and the Indian Secular Front took one.

The contest this time revolves around whether the BJP can expand its footprint in this region after gaining ground in parts of North Bengal, or if the TMC retains its stronghold and moves closer to a fourth consecutive term.

Turnout expectations and voter participation

The first phase of polling recorded strong voter turnout and similar participation is expected in this round. Campaigning leading up to voting focused on issues such as corruption, citizenship and welfare schemes.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to actively participate. Posting on X, 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 and exercise their franchise."

With polling underway, attention now turns to voter turnout and how the results will shape the state's political trajectory.