The marathon battle for West Bengal officially kicked off on Thursday morning as voters in 152 assembly constituencies began casting their ballots in the first phase of the assembly elections. This opening round, covering more than half of the state’s total 294 seats, is expected to set the narrative for what is being called the most significant political contest in the state’s recent history.
Early Turnout and Geographic Reach
Polling began at 7:00 AM under a heavy security blanket. Long queues were reported early in the day across diverse topographies—from the tea gardens of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north to the fertile plains of Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly in the south. According to Election Commission (EC) data, over 3.60 crore electors are eligible to exercise their franchise today, including a significant 1.75 crore women voters.
​A “Fortress” State: Unprecedented Security
To ensure a peaceful voting process in a state historically marred by electoral violence, the EC has turned West Bengal into a virtual fortress.
​Force Deployment: A record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces—approximately 2.5 lakh personnel—are on the ground.
​Sensitive Zones: Over 8,000 polling stations have been tagged as “highly sensitive.”
​Surveillance: 2,193 quick response teams (QRTs) and flying squads are patrolling districts under special surveillance, including Malda, Murshidabad, and Cooch Behar.
The Strategic Importance of North Bengal
The first phase is particularly crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as it includes all 54 seats in North Bengal. This region was the engine of the BJP’s growth during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2021 assembly polls, out of the 152 seats voting today, the BJP held 59 while the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 93.
​For Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, holding the line in the south while clawing back territory in the north is essential for her bid for a fourth consecutive term. Conversely, for the BJP, a sweep in the north is vital to maintaining momentum as the election moves toward the final phase.
The political fate of several heavyweights is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Following today’s massive exercise, the state will move toward the second and final phase of polling scheduled for April 29.
​The eyes of the nation now turn to May 4, when the counting of votes will reveal whether the “Ma, Mati, Manush” slogan of the TMC holds firm or if the saffron camp manages to breach the TMC’s fortress.
