New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): The second phase of assembly polls in West Bengal recorded a turnout of 89.99 percent as of 5 p.m., according to Election Commission data.
Purba Bardhaman district continued to lead with a turnout of 92.46 percent, followed by Hooghly at 90.34 percent, Nadia at 90.28 percent, Howrah at 89.44 percent, and North 24 Parganas. South 24 Parganas recorded a turnout of 89.74 percent.
Political parties are interpreting the high turnout in their favor. The first phase witnessed a record voter turnout of 91.78 percent. While the Trinamool Congress said it would win at least 100 of the 152 seats that went to the polls in the first phase, the BJP expressed confidence in winning 110 seats. The first phase of polling was held on April 23.
The main contest in West Bengal is being seen between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The second phase of polling is widely viewed as a “litmus test” for the Trinamool Congress, as voting moved into the party’s traditional strongholds in South Bengal and Kolkata.
The second phase covers 142 out of 294 seats in the state. More than 2.22 crore voters, including 16,435,627 men and 15,737,418 women, were eligible to cast their votes. Key contests in this phase include Bhabanipur and Tollyganj.
In the 2021 elections, the Trinamool Congress dominated this belt, winning 123 of the 142 seats. For the BJP, this phase represents an opportunity to make inroads into the urban “bhadralok” vote and the Matua community. For the Trinamool Congress, the focus is on maintaining its dominance to secure a fourth consecutive term for Mamata Banerjee.
Exit polls will be released after the conclusion of voting at 6 p.m., while the counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)
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