Historic hat-trick of victories: PM Modi hails fearless voting in Bengal

The counting of votes for the West Bengal second phase is scheduled to take place on May 4.

The second phase covers 142 of 294 assembly seats. The total electorate is around 3.21 crore, comprising 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 transgender voters. There are 1,448 candidates in the fray, including 220 women, across 41,001 polling stations, with over 8,000 polling stations managed entirely by women.

During the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said Bengal's turnout was high and voters were voting in a fearless atmosphere, a sign of strengthening democracy and the Constitution. He thanked Bengal voters for exercising their rights and noted that voting in Bengal is taking place in a fearless atmosphere. As of 1 pm, Bengal's turnout stood at 61.11% for 142 seats. Hooghly recorded 64.57%, Howrah 60.68%, Kolkata North 60.18%, Kolkata South 57.73%, and Nadia 61.41%. He cited recent BJP-NDA victories in Bihar and Gujarat and expressed confidence in a historic hat-trick of victories in five states, with May 4 counting expected to strengthen the push for a developed India.

Modi referenced BJP-NDA poll victories in Bihar and Gujarat, noting Gujarat's local body election results where the BJP won 80-85% of municipalities and panchayats. He framed these results as evidence of a forthcoming historic hat-trick of victories for the BJP in five states, ahead of West Bengal's second phase results and the May 4 counting.