Clashes, allegations and technical issues surface across multiple districts as voting begins
Violence, vandalism and reports of electronic voting machine (EVM) glitches marked the early hours of polling in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Wednesday.
Incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur and Bhangar, raising concerns over law and order as voting commenced.
#Watch | An EVM glitch reportedly sparks clash in Bally. CRPF personnel detain two people#BattlegroundBengal #ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalElections pic.twitter.com/g4gXfLwrQD
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 29, 2026
In Kolkata’s Entally constituency, BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal was involved in a verbal altercation with polling officials and security personnel after her polling agent was asked to leave a booth reportedly due to space constraints. A representative of the rival candidate also became involved before both were removed.
In Chapra, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted. Party leaders claimed that Mosharef Mir was attacked by individuals linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress. He was admitted to a local hospital. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar alleged that the agent was hit on the head, while police confirmed that a case has been registered. The Trinamool Congress denied the allegations.
There were also reports of malfunctioning EVMs in Howrah, though officials have not confirmed the scale of the issue.
Visuals shared by news agency PTI showed security personnel detaining individuals amid the unrest. In Shantipur, damage to property was reported after furniture at a BJP camp was vandalised, triggering tension in the area.
In Bhangar, allegations emerged that a polling agent from the Indian Secular Front was prevented from entering a polling booth. The party is part of the Left Front alliance.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused central security forces of acting in favour of the BJP.
“Central forces are picking on our people... polling can’t be done like this,” she said, also alleging that external observers were influencing the process.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, Mamata Banerjee, says, “…So many observers have come from outside. Whatever the BJP says, they are doing. Just look around, all our posters have been removed. Is this how polls take… pic.twitter.com/xYFpFLUSan
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee echoed similar concerns, alleging that observers had exceeded their mandate.
The election marks a high-stakes contest between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Polling context
This is the second and final phase of voting in the state, following the first phase held on April 23. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
The elections are being held amid controversy over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
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Love the sullen & feeling of despondency face of Mumtaz Begum, who never won on merit, till now all her wins are through rigging votes & gunda raj ways
Love that NDTV video. Perfectly taken by a professional. Setting example for future