West Bengal Elections: Key Voting Phase to Determine Political Landscape

The upcoming second phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly elections is crucial for determining the political future of the state. With the Trinamool Congress aiming to maintain its dominance and the BJP seeking to strengthen its foothold, the results from key regions like Kolkata and South 24 Parganas will be pivotal. Voter turnout from the first phase has set a high bar, and issues surrounding voter list revisions add to the political tension. This article delves into the significance of this voting phase and its potential impact on the state's governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 12:07 IST

Crucial Voting Phase in West Bengal Assembly Elections

The second and final phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly elections is set for Wednesday, which will reveal whether the Trinamool Congress can maintain its stronghold or if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will solidify its influence and make a significant push towards the state secretariat, Nabanna.

This phase will see voting for 142 assembly seats. The first phase, held on April 23, tested the BJP's traditional grip in northern Bengal and surrounding districts. Now, all eyes are on the Trinamool Congress's strongholds in Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, and East Bardhaman.

The outcomes in these regions could play a pivotal role in shaping the election results. In the 2021 elections, the Trinamool Congress won 123 of the 142 seats up for grabs in this phase, while the BJP secured only 18, and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) managed to win one seat. Despite the BJP's efforts, Mamata Banerjee's party achieved a remarkable victory in South Bengal five years ago, easily retaining power.

Voting will also take place in the Bhawanipur assembly seat, a political stronghold for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, where the BJP has fielded Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Maintaining control in these areas is crucial for the Trinamool Congress, as it paves the way for a potential fourth consecutive term in power.

A senior leader from the Trinamool Congress stated, 'This has always been our strongest region, and the people here have supported us from the 2021 assembly elections to the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If we win again in this area, Mamata Banerjee will continue to lead Bengal.'

A leader from the BJP's state unit remarked, 'Without establishing a foothold in South Bengal, we cannot reach power. North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and Howrah are the real electoral battlegrounds. Change will begin here.'

The geographical significance of these regions underscores their importance. North 24 Parganas has 33 assembly seats, South 24 Parganas has 31, Howrah has 16, Nadia has 17, Hooghly has 18, East Bardhaman has 16, and Kolkata has 11 seats.

After recording a voter turnout of 93.19% in the first phase, Banerjee claimed that the Trinamool Congress had already crossed the 100-seat mark.

This is the highest voter turnout recorded in the state to date. The special intensive revision of voter lists (SIR) has made the issue of name deletions a potentially sensitive political topic for the second phase. Over 1.26 million names were removed from the voter lists in North 24 Parganas, more than 1.09 million in South 24 Parganas, approximately 697,000 in Kolkata, around 600,000 in Howrah, 468,000 in Hooghly, and about 485,000 in Nadia.