Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 is underway across 142 constituencies spanning seven districts, with authorities maintaining a strong security presence to ensure a smooth and peaceful process. Central armed forces, along with state police, have been deployed extensively at polling stations to prevent disruptions and maintain order.
Despite these arrangements, a tense situation briefly unfolded at a polling booth in Kolkata involving senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The Leader of the Opposition, who is contesting from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, visited the booth to review polling arrangements when he was surrounded by a group of supporters from the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd raised slogans of “Jai Bengal,” creating a charged atmosphere at the site. The situation escalated momentarily as the gathering tightened around Adhikari, prompting immediate intervention by security personnel.
Personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), supported by local police, stepped in to control the crowd. Officials confirmed that a mild lathicharge was carried out to disperse the gathering and restore order at the polling station.
In a separate video statement following the incident, Adhikari made controversial remarks, alleging that those involved were “Bangladeshi Muslims” and claiming political fear among rivals. His comments are likely to draw sharp reactions in an already polarized electoral environment.
Authorities stated that the situation was brought under control swiftly, and no major injuries or prolonged disruptions were reported. Polling resumed normally at the booth, with voters continuing to cast their ballots across all constituencies in this phase.
Election officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring free and fair voting, emphasizing that security forces remain on high alert to respond promptly to any untoward incidents.
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