GUWAHATI: Millions of voters across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu began casting their ballots on Thursday, April 23, in crucial state assembly elections seen as a key political test ahead of national contests.
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In West Bengal, polling is underway in 152 of the state’s 294 constituencies across 16 districts in the first phase, with 1,478 candidates in the fray. A second phase is scheduled for next week, on April 29.
The fiercest contest is unfolding between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the ruling All India Trinamool Congress headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Trinamool Congress is seeking a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP is making an aggressive push to gain power in a state it has never governed.
The elections are being held amid heightened political tensions, particularly over a controversial revision of electoral rolls.
Additionally, security concerns intensified after a crude bomb explosion in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Thursday injured several people, coinciding with the first phase of Assembly elections in the state. The blast occurred in Nowda, triggering panic among residents as voting was in progress.
The injured were taken for medical care, while authorities stepped up surveillance to avert further incidents. The attack has heightened concerns over election security, even as officials assert that adequate safety measures are in place across polling stations.
Moreover, a late-night bombing took place in the Shibnagar area of Nawda Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district on Wednesday. According to local reports, several crude bombs were hurled on a road near a designated polling booth at Shibnagar Primary School, triggering panic among residents.
A woman was injured in the incident and is reported to be in stable condition. The blast site was located barely 50 metres from the polling station, raising serious questions about security arrangements despite the presence of central forces.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, polling is being conducted in a single phase across all 234 constituencies, with over 5.67 crore eligible voters participating.
The election will determine the political future of key leaders, including Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, O. Panneerselvam, and actor-politician Vijay.
The state is witnessing a high-stakes multi-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP front, and several emerging regional players.
These elections are part of a broader round of state polls across India, with voting already completed in Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.