West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday alleged that “outside observers” and police personnel unfamiliar with the state were being deployed in a way that targeted TMC workers during Phase 2 of the Assembly elections. She claimed that her party’s youth block president was arrested in the morning, which prompted her visit to Chetla. Banerjee also alleged that CRPF personnel entered the residence of a TMC councillor late at night without local police присутств and assaulted family members.

Speaking to reporters, Banerjee said she wanted peaceful polling so people could freely vote, but accused certain observers and officers from outside Bengal of creating pressure on police stations and targeting TMC workers, even calling for the arrest of party agents. She added that she stayed awake through the night due to the situation.

Referring to the arrest of her youth block president, she said it led to her visit to Chetla, though she herself did not go to the police station. She further alleged that around 2 am, CRPF personnel entered a councillor’s house without local police, assaulted family members, seized their phone, and warned against engaging in party activities. She claimed to have proof of the incident.

Voter turnout in West Bengal reached 18.39 percent by 9 am as polling began for the remaining 142 out of 294 Assembly seats. The phase involves around 3.21 crore voters, including over 1.64 crore men, 1.57 crore women, and 792 from the third gender. A total of 1,448 candidates, including 220 women, are contesting across 41,001 polling stations, with more than 8,000 stations managed entirely by women.

This phase is considered crucial in determining the state’s electoral outcome, especially as voting takes place in TMC strongholds across South Bengal and Kolkata. Authorities have made extensive arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful polling. Following a record turnout in the first phase, the second and final phase is seen as a key test for the ruling TMC. Results are scheduled to be announced on May 4, along with those for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.