Campaigning ends for Bengal’s second phase polls as silence period begins. High-stakes contest across 142 seats with massive security deployment, key rallies by national leaders, and multi-cornered political battle shaping voter sentiment ahead of April 29 voting.
A high-voltage political phase in eastern India has drawn to a close, setting the stage for a crucial electoral test later this week. Campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections officially ended at 6 p.m. on Monday, triggering the mandatory 48-hour silence period ahead of polling scheduled for April 29.
The conclusion of campaigning marked the end of intense political outreach across 142 Assembly constituencies spanning six key districts—Nadia, East Burdwan, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas—along with parts of the state capital, Kolkata. A total of 1,448 candidates are contesting in this phase, making it one of the most competitive electoral battles in recent years.
The final day saw prominent national leaders making last-ditch efforts to sway voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Jagatdal, expressing strong confidence in his party’s electoral prospects. He asserted that a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party would pave the way for forming the state government, adding that he expects to return soon to witness the swearing-in ceremony of a BJP Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a roadshow in Behala, on the southern fringes of Kolkata. During his address, he emphasized the importance of security, stating that central forces would remain deployed even after the counting of votes on May 4 to prevent any potential post-poll violence—a recurring concern in the state’s electoral landscape.
Authorities have arranged extensive security measures for the polling process. As many as 2,407 companies of central forces—including personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces, India Reserve Battalion, and armed police units from various states—have been deployed. These forces will operate alongside the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to ensure peaceful voting conditions.
In an effort to improve voter convenience and transparency, the Election Commission has introduced enhanced features in electronic voting machines and ballot papers. These will display colored photographs of candidates along with their serial numbers, names, and party symbols in large fonts, aiming to reduce confusion among voters.
The electoral contest in this phase is distinctly multi-cornered. Major political players include the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, the All India Secular Front alliance, and the Congress party. Each has adopted distinct campaign strategies and narratives to appeal to the electorate.
The BJP’s campaign has largely focused on criticizing the state government over issues such as alleged corruption, crimes against women, law and order concerns, financial instability, and industrial decline. On the other side, the Trinamool Congress has directed much of its criticism toward the Election Commission, accusing it of bias and alleging that voter list revisions led to the exclusion of a significant number of eligible voters.
The Left Front and its ally, the All India Secular Front, have taken a dual approach—targeting both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. However, their rhetoric has often been sharper against the ruling party, accusing it of governance failures. They have also suggested a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, a claim both parties deny.
The Congress party, meanwhile, has concentrated its attacks primarily on the BJP. Senior leader Rahul Gandhi recently described both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress as “two sides of the same coin,” signaling the party’s broader political positioning in the state.
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As the silence period begins, all campaign activities—rallies, public meetings, and political advertisements—are prohibited. This period is intended to give voters time to reflect and make informed decisions without external influence.
With tight security, high stakes, and diverse political narratives, the second phase of polling is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the overall outcome of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
