- By Aditya Jha
- Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:50 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengal Polls: The voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly is being conducted today after weeks of intensified campaigning from all the leading parties. The voting is being held in 142 of the total 294 constituencies, with special focus on Bhabanipur, where Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee is contesting against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. While Banerjee has fought fiercely to protect her stronghold, Adhikari has left no stone unturned to defeat his former boss for the second time.
Earlier in 2021, after facing defeat against Adhikari in Nandigram, the TMC chief won in Bhabanipur in a by-election by 58,835 votes. However, the BJP has tried to build a narrative by fielding its firebrand leader against Banerjee. Earlier in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the ruling party's lead in the Bhabanipur constituency reduced to around 8,000 votes, giving a boost to the saffron party.
Mamata Banerjee's Stronghold
Bhabanipur has been a stronghold for Banerjee since her initial days in politics, as she first registered victory by defeating CPI(M)'s Nandini Mukherjee by 54,213 votes back in the 2011 by-election. She continued her dominance by defeating Congress' Deepa Dasmunshi by 25,301 votes in the 2016 assembly election. However, the BJP has fielded its strongest face against Banerjee to ensure maximum challenge.
Along with Adhikari, several other prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, also held road shows to support the BJP. The leaders from both parties have also accused each other of interrupting their rallies.
However, the TMC chief has also stepped up like never before to save her fortress. While she held road shows in different parts of the state after the first phase, Banerjee held meetings in Bhabanipur at night to ensure public outreach. Along with Bhabanipur, the result for all the constituencies of West Bengal will be declared on May 4.