West Bengal Polls Phase Two: Mamata Banerjee Battles Suvendu Adhikari In Kolkata Showdown

The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is underway, covering 142 constituencies across eight districts, including Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, and Purba Bardhaman. This phase is crucial as it tests the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) stronghold in South Bengal against the BJP’s aggressive push.

Key Contest: Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari

The spotlight is firmly on Bhabanipur, where Mamata Banerjee is contesting against her former aide-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari. Their rivalry, rooted in the Nandigram battle of 2021, has become symbolic of Bengal’s political transformation. For Banerjee, Bhabanipur represents her home turf and political authority, while Adhikari aims to replicate his Nandigram upset. 

Voter Turnout And Security

More than 32 million voters are eligible in this phase, including 16.4 million men, 15.7 million women, and 792 transgender voters. The Election Commission has deployed 2,500 companies of central armed police forces and Quick Response Teams to ensure free and fair polling, with 100% webcasting arranged for transparency. 

Campaign Highlights

The final days of campaigning saw Mamata Banerjee leading padyatras in Bhabanipur, while BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath held rallies across key constituencies. The BJP hopes to breach TMC’s bastions, while Banerjee has warned against what she calls divisive politics. 

Key Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Phase 2 covers 142 constituencies across South Bengal and Kolkata

•⁠  ⁠Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur is the marquee contest

•⁠  ⁠Over 32 million voters eligible; 2,500 CAPF companies deployed for security

•⁠  ⁠TMC won 123 of these 142 seats in 2021; BJP secured 18

•⁠  ⁠Campaigning featured high-profile rallies by Mamata Banerjee, PM Modi, and Amit Shah

Sources: The Economic Times, Times Now, Mint, News18, Hindustan Times