Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: Campaigning ends for 2nd phase Bengal polls, 48-hour silence period begins

The Lok Bhavan on Monday said its dedicated 24x7 citizen helpline will remain operational till May 10 to assist people during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly election process. In a statement, the Governor's House reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring voters can exercise their democratic rights in a "free, fair and fear-free environment".

"The dedicated 24x7 Citizen Helpline will remain fully operational at least till 10th May 2026 to provide assistance and guidance relating to the ongoing Assembly election process, ensuring uninterrupted support during this crucial period," the statement said.

The helpline numbers are (033)-2200-1022, (033)-2200-1023, (033)-2200-1025, (033)-2200-1026, (033)-2200-1027, (033)-2200-1028, (033)-2200-1029, (033)-2200-1032 and (033)-2200-1036. Citizens may also write to lokbhavanbengalhelpline@gmail.com. 

Polling parties deployed by the Election Commission of India began moving towards their designated polling stations in the riverine areas of the 123 Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency ahead of voting.

Officials and poll staff were seen crossing rivers by boat to reach remote locations, as part of logistical arrangements to ensure access to polling booths across the geographically challenging terrain of the region.

Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, on Monday said the Election Commission is committed to enabling every eligible voter to cast their ballot, while assuring strict action in cases of poll-related violence.

"It is the Election Commission's motto that we will allow everyone to vote... All of you should go to your booth and cast your votes... We will take appropriate action wherever violence is reported... We will face all the challenges... We have taken a list of high-rises, and most of them have been accommodated. There will be some booths inside the high rises," he said. 

Campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled for April 29, ended at 6 pm on Monday, triggering the mandatory 48-hour silence period ahead of polling. The first phase of voting took place on April 23. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.

Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack on Trinamool Congress MP Mitali Bag. In Hooghly district, Arambagh MP Mitali Bag alleged that BJP workers vandalised her vehicle at Goghat while she was on her way to attend a rally of party leader Abhishek Banerjee. Bag claimed that she came under attack near a BJP office and suffered injuries from the shattered windowpane of her vehicle.

The accused have been identified as Sintu Santra, Sanatan Santra and Rajkumar Roy. Police confirmed that all three were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

BJP MP, Tejashvi Surya, on Monday claimed that the public mood in West Bengal pointed to a decisive victory for his party, citing large turnout and enthusiasm on the streets.

"The people of the entire city have taken to the streets. I have never seen an atmosphere like this in West Bengal. This is a sign of our resounding victory. The BJP's victory will begin from Bhabanipur itself. On May 4, a BJP government with a full majority is being formed. It is very important to have free and fair elections in West Bengal," he said. 

Tarunjyoti Tewari, BJP candidate from the Rajarhat Assembly constituency, on Monday expressed confidence of a political shift in West Bengal, asserting that the party would come to power after the election results are declared on May 4. 

"The situation is going to change. Lotus is going to bloom here, and the BJP will form its government on 4th May. I am very confident. There is no employment in the state. The youth of the state are in a state of despair," Tarunjyoti Tewari said while speaking to news agency ANI. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to voters in West Bengal to turn out in large numbers and support the BJP in the ongoing Assembly elections, describing the polling day as a "golden opportunity" in the "festival of democracy".

In an audio message posted on X, PM Modi said he was confident that voters would set a new record in turnout on April 29. "My fellow citizens of West Bengal, a golden opportunity lies before you to hoist the flag of BJP's victory in the festival of democracy. I am confident that on 29 April, you will set a new record in voting," the Prime Minister said in Bengali. 

Total seizures of illicit inducements in West Bengal crossed Rs 510 crore on Monday, the Election Commission of India said. The figure is significantly higher than the Rs 339 crore worth of recoveries recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections. The recoveries include Rs 30 crore in cash, over 48,000 litres of liquor worth Rs 126.85 crore, drugs worth Rs 110.12 crore and precious metals worth Rs 58. 28 crore.

Besides, enforcement agencies have also seized freebies worth Rs 184.85 crore. These may include household items, apparel and cellphones.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress candidate from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, Mamata Banerjee, held a 14-km-long padyatra in her constituency on Monday, stepping up grassroots outreach ahead of the polls.

The road march saw Banerjee moving through key stretches of Bhabanipur, interacting with residents and party workers as she sought to consolidate support in the high-profile seat. The constituency has remained politically significant, with the Chief Minister personally leading the campaign on the ground.

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, on Monday issued a sharp warning to BJP workers following an alleged attack on party leader Mitali Bag in Hooghly. Addressing the incident, Banerjee said those involved had been identified and would be tracked through surveillance footage. 

"Those who attacked Mitali today -- I have my eyes on all of you. I have details of the attackers, and we will review all CCTV footage to identify each one of you. You attacked an SC woman leader. After May 4, it won’t matter whether TMC wins Arambagh or not -- I will be in charge of this area. On May 4, I will see which BJP leader has the guts and who from Delhi will be there for you," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said central forces will continue to remain deployed in West Bengal for at least seven days after the conclusion of the Assembly elections.

"Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th. Do not worry about the goons. The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power, central forces will remain here for seven days," he said while addressing a gathering after leading a road show in Behala. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP's star campaigner, Yogi Adityanath, on Monday held a roadshow in Dum Dum in North 24 Parganas, stepping up campaigning ahead of the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The high-profile campaign push came as political parties intensified outreach efforts across the state, with voting for the concluding phase scheduled on April 29.

The election campaign for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls will conclude this evening. A total of 142 constituencies are set to go to the polls in this phase.

Ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, the central forces and the state security forces arrested 1,543 people who tried to create trouble in the last 36 hours. 

(Anupam Mishra inputs)

Trinamool Congress MP Mitali Bag on Monday claimed that several goons launched an attack on her car while she was campaigning in the Goghat assembly constituency that comes under her Lok Sabha seat.

She claimed that the attackers were behind her life, and she luckily survived.

The former Delhi Chief Minister and National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed his best wishes to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the second phase of elections in West Bengal. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pitched a youth-focused agenda, promising transparent and time-bound recruitment for government jobs along with a broader push for employment generation. He said efforts would be made to streamline vacancies and ensure a fair, accountable hiring process.

Highlighting opportunities in the digital economy, PM also spoke of setting up content creator labs and supporting emerging sectors to expand job avenues for young people, positioning employment as a key plank of the BJP’s campaign.