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Heated Campaign For First Phase Of Bengal Polls Ends; Voting On April 23
The high-pitched campaign for the first phase of West Bengal's assembly elections ended on April 21, 2026, ahead of voting on April 23 for 152 constituencies. The fray saw pledges and accusations between BJP and TMC, with massive security deployments and references to issues from uniform civil code to revised electoral rolls. The period also featured notable campaign moments, including gherao incidents and remarks by top leaders.
Why It Matters
The outcome will shape Bengal's political trajectory and has broader implications for security, welfare schemes, and inter-party dynamics ahead of the state’s crucial polling phase.
Timeline
6 Events
Notable candidacy in Phase I: Humayun Kabir and Dilip Ghosh
April 21, 2026
Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, who had drawn attention for promising a Babri Masjid-like mosque in Murshidabad, remained a contestant. Former BJP state president Dilip Ghosh contested against TMC’s Pradeep Sarkar in Kharagpur Sadar, among other prominent contenders.
Gherao of SIR officers triggers EC-NIA probe discussion
April 21, 2026
The gherao of judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Review exercise in Malda’s Mothabari became a major campaign issue, with the Election Commission engaging the NIA to probe the matter following a Supreme Court directive.
Issues, promises, and seats highlighted for Phase I election
April 21, 2026
The BJP pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code, stop infiltration, strengthen borders, create jobs, clear pending Dearness Allowance for state employees, and increase financial assistance to beneficiaries. The TMC accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the voter list via the SIR process and vowed to continue direct-benefit schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar. The campaign also spotlighted Gorkhaland demands, tea garden workers’ wages, north Bengal infrastructure gaps, and agrarian distress in Malda and Murshidabad. Key constituencies in the first phase include Mekhliganj, Sitalkuchi, Darjeeling, Raiganj, Islampur, Balurghat, English Bazar, and Jangipur; Dilip Ghosh (BJP) contested against Pradeep Sarkar (TMC) in Kharagpur Sadar, with Humayun Kabir (TMC) as another notable contestant. The gherao of judicial officers in Malda’s Mothabari during the SIR exercise also featured in the campaign narrative.
Rhetoric from BJP and TMC leaders amid final campaigning
April 21, 2026
BJP leaders Narendra Modi and Amit Shah accused the TMC of violence, lawlessness, corruption, and vote-bank politics through alleged cross-border infiltration. Modi asserted Mamata Banerjee’s tenure would end, while Shah warned that the nephew 'Bhaipo' will not be Bengal’s future CM. Abhishek Banerjee criticized BJP’s past promises as unfulfilled and highlighted the state’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, challenging BJP-ruled states to implement similar welfare measures. Mamata Banerjee predicted a comfortable TMC return to power and claimed the BJP-led Centre would not last beyond 2026, disputing Modi’s claim of contesting all 294 seats in West Bengal.
Election Commission deploys central security for Phase I polls
April 21, 2026
The Election Commission announced security arrangements for the polls, deploying around 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces, comprising nearly 2.5 lakh personnel. The poll panel also identified more than 8,000 polling stations as highly sensitive for the first phase.
Campaign ends ahead of Phase I polls in West Bengal
April 21, 2026
The high-pitched campaign for the first phase ended on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The discourse centered on issues including food habits, cross-border infiltration, a Uniform Civil Code, and revised electoral rolls. Phase I voting is scheduled for April 23 in 152 constituencies across north Bengal and several southern districts. Nearly 3.60 crore electors are eligible to vote: 1.84 crore men, 1.75 crore women, and 465 third-gender voters, according to the Election Commission.