Voting is underway across 152 seats in West Bengal as the high-stakes electoral battle between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party intensifies. Reports of violence have emerged from Murshidabad and Malda, alongside clashes involving local leaders. Meanwhile, complaints of EVM malfunctions have raised concerns, even as voter turnout crosses 62%. The first phase is shaping up to be tense, closely watched, and politically crucial.


West Bengal Phase-1 Polls: Violence Reported In Murshidabad & Malda

West Bengal is gearing up for a high-stakes 2026 Assembly Election, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 voting schedules now in focus. The state heads into a crucial contest as the TMC seeks a fourth term, facing a strong challenge from the BJP.

Key districts voting in the early phases, polling timelines, and exit poll schedules are drawing attention amid debates over law and order, anti-incumbency, and political controversies. The outcome is expected to play a major role in shaping the political landscape of eastern India.

Ground Report From West Bengal's Malda Ahead of High-stakes Elections

<p>With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins'&nbsp;of a veteran political family.</p>

<p>Isha Khan, son of Congress stalwart Abu Haseem Choudhury, will be contesting against his first cousin Mausam Noor who is a sitting MP from Malda North. Mausam Noor won the MP seat under the Congress banner.</p>

<p>In 2008, she defeated her rival Haji Ketabuddin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of 21,205 votes.</p>

<p>Later, she was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Malda North parliamentary constituency. She also became the youngest Muslim woman to be elected to the 15th Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>But, she joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the name of development this January. Senior Congress leader Abu Haseem and brother of Ghani expressed discontent about his sister`s daughter (Mausam Noor) joining Trinamool.</p>

<p>"This is unfortunate as our family is known as the pillar of Congress. It is sad that somebody leaves Congress and joins another party," he said.</p>

<p>He added that the people of Bengal are "frustrated and confused" with the leadership.</p>

<p>They do not know whom to vote.</p>

<p>"Malda district has Congress bastion from the time after Ghani Khan served as a Minister of Railway under former prime ministers-- Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi," he said.</p>

<p>Congress candidate of Malda North constituency Isha Khan Choudhury, who is confident of his winning, said: "Mausam Noor joined the TMC in the name of development, however very little development has taken place in Malda North under the TMC."</p>

<p>"During Panchayat elections, criminality was fully supported by the administration and the ruling government. Now, nobody is ready to suffer again like Panchayat elections," he said while targeting Mausam.</p>

<p>Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury from the BJP is contesting against Abu Haseem from Malda South.</p>

<p>She joined the BJP in 2015 after quitting from the TMC. This time it has been observed that as the Left Front is supporting Congress, the party has not proposed any candidate from Malda South.</p>

<p>Malda district comprising of two Lok Sabha constituencies Malda South and Malda North, which will go for polling on April 23.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins' of a veteran political family.

With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins' of a veteran political family. Isha Khan, son of Congress stalwart Abu Haseem Choudhury, will be contesting against his first cousin Mausam Noor who is a sitting MP from Malda North. Mausam Noor won the MP seat under the Congress banner. In 2008, she defeated her rival Haji Ketabuddin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of 21,205 votes. Later, she was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Malda North parliamentary constituency. She also became the youngest Muslim woman to be elected to the 15th Lok Sabha. But, she joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the name of development this January. Senior Congress leader Abu Haseem and brother of Ghani expressed discontent about his sister`s daughter (Mausam Noor) joining Trinamool. "This is unfortunate as our family is known as the pillar of Congress. It is sad that somebody leaves Congress and joins another party," he said. He added that the people of Bengal are "frustrated and confused" with the leadership. They do not know whom to vote. "Malda district has Congress bastion from the time after Ghani Khan served as a Minister of Railway under former prime ministers-- Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi," he said. Congress candidate of Malda North constituency Isha Khan Choudhury, who is confident of his winning, said: "Mausam Noor joined the TMC in the name of development, however very little development has taken place in Malda North under the TMC." "During Panchayat elections, criminality was fully supported by the administration and the ruling government. Now, nobody is ready to suffer again like Panchayat elections," he said while targeting Mausam. Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury from the BJP is contesting against Abu Haseem from Malda South. She joined the BJP in 2015 after quitting from the TMC. This time it has been observed that as the Left Front is supporting Congress, the party has not proposed any candidate from Malda South. Malda district comprising of two Lok Sabha constituencies Malda South and Malda North, which will go for polling on April 23.

Lok Sabha polls: North Malda to witness tough fight between first cousins

<p>BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the poll campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal by holding a massive rally in Malda district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking at the rally Shah said that bomb and weapon making industries are prevalent in Bengal. Where Rabindra Sangeet used to play, bomb blasts fill the air. The BJP shall bring the glory back to Bengal. This is what a real speech from a leader sounds like.</p>

<p>"I am assuring you, bring BJP and we will not let any infiltrators enter Bengal. But these people love infiltrators, that is why they go against us when we talk about NRC. The election of 2019 will not only determine the future of India but is also very important for West Bengal. The election of 2019 will determine whether this govt of TMC which is killing democracy, will remain in Bengal or will be uprooted," he said</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at the rally of opposition parties in Kolkata, he said the anti-BJP parties did not utter 'Bharat Mata ki Jai or 'Vande Mataram' even once during the public meeting, but kept chanting 'Modi Modi'.</p>

<p>He alleged that the 'mahagathbandhan' of opposition parties was meant for "gaining power and serving personal interests".</p>

<p>"Mahagathbandhan is all about greed and lust. They want to remove Modi, while we want to remove poverty and corruption," he said.</p>

<p>Describing the Trinamool Congress dispensation as a "government that facilitates murders", he said the party will be ousted in the general elections.</p>

<p>Amit Shah, who was recently admitted to a hospital New Delhi for swine flu treatment addressed the Malda rally after the state government on Monday allowed BJP president’s chopper to land at the ground opposite to Hotel Golden Park.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the poll campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal by holding a massive rally in Malda district. Speaking at the rally Shah said that bomb and weapon making industries are prevalent in Bengal.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the poll campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal by holding a massive rally in Malda district. Speaking at the rally Shah said that bomb and weapon making industries are prevalent in Bengal. Where Rabindra Sangeet used to play, bomb blasts fill the air. The BJP shall bring the glory back to Bengal. This is what a real speech from a leader sounds like. "I am assuring you, bring BJP and we will not let any infiltrators enter Bengal. But these people love infiltrators, that is why they go against us when we talk about NRC. The election of 2019 will not only determine the future of India but is also very important for West Bengal. The election of 2019 will determine whether this govt of TMC which is killing democracy, will remain in Bengal or will be uprooted," he said Taking a jibe at the rally of opposition parties in Kolkata, he said the anti-BJP parties did not utter 'Bharat Mata ki Jai or 'Vande Mataram' even once during the public meeting, but kept chanting 'Modi Modi'. He alleged that the 'mahagathbandhan' of opposition parties was meant for "gaining power and serving personal interests". "Mahagathbandhan is all about greed and lust. They want to remove Modi, while we want to remove poverty and corruption," he said. Describing the Trinamool Congress dispensation as a "government that facilitates murders", he said the party will be ousted in the general elections. Amit Shah, who was recently admitted to a hospital New Delhi for swine flu treatment addressed the Malda rally after the state government on Monday allowed BJP president’s chopper to land at the ground opposite to Hotel Golden Park. (With inputs from agencies)

BJP will not let any infiltrator enter West Bengal: Amit Shah in Malda

<p>West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee clarified on Monday that the state government has allowed the landing of Amit Shah's chopper in Malda district.</p>

<p>Responding on BJP's claim of denial to the landing, Banerjee said, "Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said Amit Shah's chopper should land at some other place,I also change my chopper's landing on police request.We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy.They(BJP)are distorting information and misleading people".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WB CM: Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said chopper(Amit Shah's)should land at some other place,I also change my chopper's landing on police request.We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy.They(BJP)are distorting info&amp;misleading ppl <a href="https://t.co/pUcLTrqPF3">pic.twitter.com/pUcLTrqPF3</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1087264218020225024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier reports said that the West Bengal government has denied the permission for the landing of the helicopter in the Malda district&nbsp;citing ongoing "up-gradation" in the area.</p>

<p>Shah who is scheduled to address a rally in Malda on January 22 is supposed to take a helicopter from Kolkata to reach Malda and address the public rally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A letter written by the Additional DM to the BJP had stated, "Up-gradation work at Malda airport going on. Sand and material lying around. Airport not suitable for safe landing of the helicopter. Permission not possible".</p>

<p>BJP General Secretary, on the other hand, claimed that the Malda airport is being used by West Bengal government for landing their airport service every Wednesday.</p>

<p>"Malda airport is now being used by West Bengal government for landing their helicopter service every Wednesday. You're saying that Malda airport us not suitable for safe landing, then why you are allowing helicopter of WB government?" General Secretary, BJP Malda asked the administration.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WB: In letter dated 18 Jan, Addl DM, Malda replied to BJP over permission for landing chopper at Malda airport on 20 Jan, states 'Up-gradation work at Malda airport going on. Sand&amp;material lying around. Airport not suitable for safe landing of helicopter. Permission not possible'</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1087216353394741250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">General Secy, BJP Malda had written to Malda DM on 18 Jan stating 'Malda airport is now being used by WB govt for landing their helicopter service every Wednesday. You're saying that Malda airport us not suitable for safe landing, then why you are allowing helicopter of WB govt?' <a href="https://t.co/igpJisZyul">https://t.co/igpJisZyul</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1087217407113003009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reacting on the incident Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, " Tomorrow our National President Amit Shah, after having recovered, was to address a rally in Malda in West Bengal. But permission had been refused for his helicopter to land on the ground that airport renovation work is going on and some construction material is there".</p>

<p>"At same helipad, Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat and clean. Helicopters are landing and can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of government power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Union Min RS Prasad: At same helipad Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat &amp; clean. Helicopters are landing &amp; can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of govt power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied. <a href="https://t.co/xdOrCSvgra">pic.twitter.com/xdOrCSvgra</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1087235557149663232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee clarified on Monday that the state government has allowed the landing of Amit Shah's chopper in Malda district. Responding on BJP's claim of denial to the landing, Banerjee said, "Permission given but there are security issues.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee clarified on Monday that the state government has allowed the landing of Amit Shah's chopper in Malda district. Responding on BJP's claim of denial to the landing, Banerjee said, "Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said Amit Shah's chopper should land at some other place,I also change my chopper's landing on police request.We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy.They(BJP)are distorting information and misleading people". WB CM: Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said chopper(Amit Shah's)should land at some other place,I also change my chopper's landing on police request.We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy.They(BJP)are distorting info&misleading ppl pic.twitter.com/pUcLTrqPF3 — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019 × Earlier reports said that the West Bengal government has denied the permission for the landing of the helicopter in the Malda district citing ongoing "up-gradation" in the area. Shah who is scheduled to address a rally in Malda on January 22 is supposed to take a helicopter from Kolkata to reach Malda and address the public rally. A letter written by the Additional DM to the BJP had stated, "Up-gradation work at Malda airport going on. Sand and material lying around. Airport not suitable for safe landing of the helicopter. Permission not possible". BJP General Secretary, on the other hand, claimed that the Malda airport is being used by West Bengal government for landing their airport service every Wednesday. "Malda airport is now being used by West Bengal government for landing their helicopter service every Wednesday. You're saying that Malda airport us not suitable for safe landing, then why you are allowing helicopter of WB government?" General Secretary, BJP Malda asked the administration. WB: In letter dated 18 Jan, Addl DM, Malda replied to BJP over permission for landing chopper at Malda airport on 20 Jan, states 'Up-gradation work at Malda airport going on. Sand&material lying around. Airport not suitable for safe landing of helicopter. Permission not possible' — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019 × General Secy, BJP Malda had written to Malda DM on 18 Jan stating 'Malda airport is now being used by WB govt for landing their helicopter service every Wednesday. You're saying that Malda airport us not suitable for safe landing, then why you are allowing helicopter of WB govt?' https://t.co/igpJisZyul — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019 × Reacting on the incident Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, " Tomorrow our National President Amit Shah, after having recovered, was to address a rally in Malda in West Bengal. But permission had been refused for his helicopter to land on the ground that airport renovation work is going on and some construction material is there". "At same helipad, Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat and clean. Helicopters are landing and can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of government power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied". Union Min RS Prasad: At same helipad Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat & clean. Helicopters are landing & can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of govt power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied. pic.twitter.com/xdOrCSvgra — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019 ×

West Bengal finally says it will allow Amit Shah's helicopter to land

<p>Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections.</p>

<p>This adds to the long list of violent incidents that have erupted in the ongoing polls in the state, with at least 12 people have lost their lives so far.</p>

<p>Earlier today, incidents of bombing and attacks with sharp weapons surfaced in Murshidabad, resulting in two Trinamool Congress workers sustaining injuries. Following the incident, allegations were levelled against the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) for jointly attacking the TMC.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua also brandish a gun. The person who shot the video claimed that he was later threatened by the miscreants <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/9t2wdUuGI9">pic.twitter.com/9t2wdUuGI9</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996664132555325440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Uttar Dinajpur district's Goalpokhar, the police officials baton-charged on people, exercising a crowd-control measure, as they were agitating following delay in the voting process.</p>

<p>Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua, also brandish a gun. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/kPlE2MqWfN">pic.twitter.com/kPlE2MqWfN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996637437005893632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Repolling has been ordered in 10 booths in Hooghly, 28 booths in West Midnapore, 52 booths in Coochbehar, 63 booths in Murshidabad, 60 booths in Nadia, 59 booths in North 24 Parganas, 55 booths in Malda, 73 booths in Uttar Dinajpur, 26 in South 24 Parganas, among others.</p>


Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today.

Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections. This adds to the long list of violent incidents that have erupted in the ongoing polls in the state, with at least 12 people have lost their lives so far. Earlier today, incidents of bombing and attacks with sharp weapons surfaced in Murshidabad, resulting in two Trinamool Congress workers sustaining injuries. Following the incident, allegations were levelled against the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) for jointly attacking the TMC. #WATCH: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua also brandish a gun. The person who shot the video claimed that he was later threatened by the miscreants #PanchayatElections #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/9t2wdUuGI9 — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × In Uttar Dinajpur district's Goalpokhar, the police officials baton-charged on people, exercising a crowd-control measure, as they were agitating following delay in the voting process. Following sporadic violence during the West Bengal panchayat elections on May 14, 568 booths in the state are undergoing repolling today. West Bengal: Unidentified miscreants escape with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua, also brandish a gun. #PanchayatElections pic.twitter.com/kPlE2MqWfN — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government and police to ensure free and fair polling, a State Election Commission official said. Repolling has been ordered in 10 booths in Hooghly, 28 booths in West Midnapore, 52 booths in Coochbehar, 63 booths in Murshidabad, 60 booths in Nadia, 59 booths in North 24 Parganas, 55 booths in Malda, 73 booths in Uttar Dinajpur, 26 in South 24 Parganas, among others.

Watch: WB panchayat polls — Ballot box looted at gunpoint in Malda

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