Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee alleges ECI bias; Suvendu Adhikari clashes with TMC supporters in Bhabanipur

Over 90% of voters registered their mandates in the second phase, mirroring the trend seen in the inaugural round, as polling was conducted under heavy security cover. 

Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity cast their votes in Kolkata, dressed in their iconic blue-bordered white saris and standing in a disciplined queue—an image of quiet dignity and civic commitment by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Among the 142 constituencies that went to polls, Bhabanipur drew the maximum attention as Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress candidate from her home constituency, undertook an unprecedented election-day tour of multiple polling booths. 

Banerjee alleges EC bias, voter intimidation

The Chief Minister alleged that the Election Commission of India was targeting and harassing TMC leaders while “dancing to the tune” of the BJP.

After casting her vote at around 4 pm, Banerjee intensified her attack, alleging that central forces torturing people.

“I have been doing politics since 1984 but haven't witnessed this kind of a democracy,” she said.

She further claimed that her party workers were arrested overnight in contempt of court.

Mamata Banerjee at Kolkata's Mitra Institution where she cast her vote. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Unprecedented booth visits signal high-stakes battle

In a departure from her usual routine, Banerjee stepped out before 8 am and visited several areas, including Chetla, Padmapukur and Chakraberia, underlining the high stakes of the contest.

Speaking to reporters, she alleged democratic norms were being undermined and accused the BJP of attempting to rig the polls, which otherwise remained largely peaceful barring a few scattered incidents.

Banerjee also claimed outsiders were brought into the constituency and party flags were removed ahead of voting.

She presented videos alleging that central forces visited a councillor’s residence in Ward 70 in the absence of male members, raising concerns of intimidation.

Referring to another incident in Chetla near state minister Firhad Hakim’s residence, she alleged that late-night visits by forces and observers caused distress among family members.

Adhikari hits back, calls it ‘intimidation of Hindu voters’

Unfazed by the allegations, Adhikari, who began his day with a temple visit, accused Banerjee of trying to intimidate Hindu voters through her movements.

Tensions escalated when a group of TMC women supporters raised slogans against Adhikari during his visit to a booth at Jai Hind Bhavan in Bhabanipur.

The situation turned volatile, prompting Adhikari to seek early deployment of central forces.

The forces, backed by police action, resorted to lathicharge to disperse protesters and restore order.

While TMC supporters alleged that Adhikari tried to influence voters standing in queues, the BJP leader hit back strongly, raising “Hindu” and “Jai Shri Ram” slogans and claiming that the protests were led by “Bangladeshi Muslims.”

“They are actually helping to improve my vote share,” he said.

Scattered clashes reported, overall polling largely peaceful

In line with the first phase, polling remained largely peaceful overall, with isolated incidents of clashes and vandalism reported from Chapra, Shantipur and Bhangar.

In Chapra, located in Nadia district, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by individuals linked to the TMC.

The agent sustained head injuries and a police case has been registered, though the ruling party denied involvement.

In several instances, central forces acted swiftly to disperse gatherings within 100 metres of polling booths, ensuring largely orderly voting across constituencies.

‘Reasonably peaceful’: Observer on second phase polling 

Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta said polling was conducted smoothly, noting the absence of major incidents compared to elections in past decades.

“It was reasonably peaceful, with no major law and order issues, except for a few complaints of EVM tampering,” he told IBNS.