Image: IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters to turn out in record numbers as Phase-2 polling of the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 got underway.In a post through X, he made a special appeal to women and young voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers, highlighting their crucial role in strengthening the electoral process.”Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise,” PM Modi said in a post on X.Voting began on Wednesday across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with extensive security arrangements in place and a high-stakes contest unfolding between the ruling TMC and the BJP. The outcome of this phase is expected to be crucial in determining whether the TMC retains its dominance in the southern districts or if the BJP can make significant inroads into the state’s power structure.Polling commenced at 7.00 am, with voters queuing up outside booths in Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman, regions that form the political and electoral core of the state.Unlike the first phase, where the BJP focused on defending its gains in north Bengal, the final round shifts the contest squarely to the TMC’s stronghold. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the ruling party had secured 123 of these 142 seats, while the BJP managed 18 and the ISF one.At the centre of the contest is Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s political bastion, where she is locked in a high-profile battle against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The contest is being seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in the 2021 elections.A total of 3.21 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender electors. Voting is taking place across 41,001 polling stations, all of which are under webcasting surveillance to ensure transparency.The Election Commission of India has deployed 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts, with Kolkata receiving the highest deployment of 273 companies.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengal Phase 2 Polls: 142 Constituencies Vote Today, Over 3.21 Crore Voters to DecideChokepoints of Power: how India can ‘trump’ China on the seasSwati Maliwal’s Explosive Exit: Assault Allegations, ‘Betrayal’ Charges Rock AAP As She Joins BJPIndian Aviation Sector Warns Of Possible Shutdown Amid Soaring Fuel CostsUNGA Chief Hails India’s Global Role, Calls India’s Leadership Central To MultilateralismIndia To Receive Fourth Unit Of S-400 Missile Systems From Russia, To Be Deployed In RajasthanISRO-s Big Shift- Civilians To Join Gaganyaan Missions – India-s Space Programme Expands”Online Radicalisation Led To…” Maharashtra CM On ISIS-Inspired AttackIndia’s Defence Spending Hits $92 Bn, Becomes World’s 5th Largest Amid Global Military SurgeIs Rafale deal with France stuck? 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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters to turn out in record numbers as Phase-2 polling of the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 got underway.In a post through X, he made a special appeal to women and young voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers, highlighting their crucial role in strengthening the electoral process.“Today is Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Urging all those voting today to do so in record numbers and make our democracy more vibrant as well as participative. It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise,” PM Modi said in a post on X.Voting began on Wednesday across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with extensive security arrangements in place and a high-stakes contest unfolding between the ruling TMC and the BJP. The outcome of this phase is expected to be crucial in determining whether the TMC retains its dominance in the southern districts or if the BJP can make significant inroads into the state’s power structure.Polling commenced at 7.00 am, with voters queuing up outside booths in Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman, regions that form the political and electoral core of the state.Unlike the first phase, where the BJP focused on defending its gains in north Bengal, the final round shifts the contest squarely to the TMC’s stronghold. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the ruling party had secured 123 of these 142 seats, while the BJP managed 18 and the ISF one.At the centre of the contest is Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s political bastion, where she is locked in a high-profile battle against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The contest is being seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in the 2021 elections.A total of 3.21 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender electors. Voting is taking place across 41,001 polling stations, all of which are under webcasting surveillance to ensure transparency.The Election Commission of India has deployed 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts, with Kolkata receiving the highest deployment of 273 companies.
