Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began on Wednesday, with early reports of technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and isolated incidents of tension in some areas.

Polling is being held across multiple constituencies in parts of the state, with voters arriving at booths from the early hours. However, initial disruptions were reported at several locations, mainly due to malfunctioning EVMs.

Election officials responded to the complaints and worked to replace or repair faulty machines, ensuring that voting resumed with minimal delay. Authorities said most of the technical issues were resolved within a short time.

Alongside the glitches, there were reports of sporadic clashes and allegations of intimidation from certain districts, contributing to a tense atmosphere during the early phase of polling.

The political exchange also intensified, with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee alleging that central agencies were attempting to influence the electoral process. She claimed that party workers were being harassed and raised concerns over the conduct of the polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, on the other hand, accused the ruling party of law and order failures and alleged that its workers faced disruptions in certain areas.

Despite the early issues, polling continued under tight security arrangements, with additional forces deployed at sensitive booths. Election authorities said they were closely monitoring the situation to ensure that voting proceeds smoothly.

This phase is considered significant in the overall election process, with key constituencies witnessing closely watched contests.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recorded a sweeping victory in Gujarat’s local body elections, winning all 15 municipal corporations across the state and reinforcing its dominance in urban governance.

The results underline the party’s strong grip in key cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, where it secured overwhelming majorities and left opposition parties far behind.

In Ahmedabad, the BJP won 146 out of 192 seats, while the Congress lagged significantly with just a handful of seats. Similar trends were seen in other major cities, where the ruling party maintained a clear lead.

The most notable political shift emerged in Surat, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a sharp decline. After making gains in the previous election, AAP managed to secure only four seats this time, while the BJP surged ahead with 115 seats, effectively ending AAP’s position as a strong urban challenger in the city.

Across Rajkot and Vadodara as well, the BJP posted dominant performances, winning large seat shares and keeping the Congress confined to limited numbers.

Overall, the results reflect a broader trend of BJP consolidation not only in urban centres but also across local governance structures. The party also performed strongly in municipalities, district panchayats and taluka panchayats, though opposition parties retained small pockets of support in some rural areas.

The outcome is being seen as a significant political boost for the BJP in its traditional stronghold, while raising concerns for opposition parties struggling to expand their base in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed strong confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the next government in West Bengal after the ongoing Assembly elections, stating that he plans to return for the oath-taking ceremony.

Addressing a rally during the final phase of campaigning, the Prime Minister said he would come back to the state after the declaration of results to attend the swearing-in of the BJP government.

Confidence ahead of results

The remarks came during his last campaign event, where he indicated optimism about the party’s electoral performance. The results of the West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to be announced on May 4.

He told the gathering that the enthusiasm and public support witnessed during his campaign tours had strengthened his belief that the BJP would secure a mandate in the state.

Campaign concludes amid high political stakes

The Prime Minister’s statement underscores the high-stakes political battle in West Bengal, where the BJP is aiming to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress. The election has seen intense campaigning from all major parties, with voter turnout remaining high in earlier phases.

The West Bengal Assembly elections are being held in multiple phases, with counting set to determine the next government in the state.