West Bengal witnessed a high-energy start to the 2026 Assembly elections as approximately 89.93% of voters turned out for the first phase of polling today, April 23.
Despite intense heat and humidity, nearly 3.60 crore people stood in long queues across 152 constituencies. Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest participation at over 93%, followed closely by Cooch Behar and Murshidabad.
Both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP have claimed they are on track for a landslide victory based on these massive numbers.While the overall voting was brisk, the day was marked by several reports of clashes and tension.
In Asansol Dakshin, the car of BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul was pelted with stones, while in Birbhum, a violent clash broke out between locals and security forces over allegations of EVM malfunctioning.
In Murshidabad, TMC workers entered into a heated argument with police upon the arrival of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) leader Humayun Kabir. The Election Commission of India has requested detailed reports on several incidents, including allegations that voters in certain pockets were prevented from casting their ballots.
The political heavyweights also kept the temperature high with their comments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in South 24 Parganas, declared that May 4—the day of the results—would be the “expiry date” for the TMC government.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed total confidence, stating that the high turnout already puts the TMC in a winning position. She even announced her intention to take the fight to Delhi after securing Bengal.
With the first phase now concluded, the focus shifts to the second phase on April 29, which will cover 142 seats, including Kolkata.
