PM Modi Hails High Voter Turnout in Bengal Phase 2 Polling, Urges Continued Participation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the people of West Bengal for the high voter turnout recorded in the second phase of polling, which is currently underway in the state.

Addressing a public gathering in Hardoi, the Prime Minister said he appreciated the "great people of Bengal" for coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and urged them to maintain the same enthusiasm until the completion of polling.

Highlighting the scale of voter participation, the Prime Minister noted that reports indicated heavy polling across constituencies and said that long queues of voters had been witnessed at several polling stations, with visuals also circulating on social media.

He further remarked that such levels of enthusiasm had not been seen or even imagined over the past six to seven decades, describing it as reflective of a "fearless environment" in the state.

What did PM Modi say about voter turnout and a “fearless environment” in Bengal elections?

"Today is also an important day in the festival of democracy. At this time, the second phase of voting is taking place in Bengal, and the reports coming in indicate that there is heavy voting in Bengal,” PM Modi said.

“Just like in the first phase, a large number of people are stepping out of their homes to cast their votes. Images of long queues are being widely shared on social media. In an atmosphere that, in the last 6-7 decades, was neither seen nor even imagined, voting is taking place in Bengal in a fearless environment this time,” he added.

“People are voting without fear. This is a sacred symbol of the Constitution of the country and of a strengthening democracy," the Prime Minister said.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on Wednesday slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led state government as reports of violence emerged during the West Bengal elections 2026, saying that the people have been fed up with the state government for a long time.

He alleged that the ruling TMC government sponsored violence across the state, comparing the party with Bihar's 'Jangul Raj during Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lalu Yadav's era.

Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary added, "Two things are clear: the people of Bengal are fed up with the government that has been ruling the state for a long time.”

“We can understand the identity of this government by seeing the violence sponsored by it. Such a rule existed in Bihar earlier, and now, the same thing is repeating in Bengal under Mamata Banerjee,” the Bihar deputy CM said.

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 61.11 per cent till 1 pm on Wednesday, as polling is underway for 142 Assembly seats in the second phase of the state elections.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Hooghly topped the districts with a turnout of 64.57 per cent, followed by Howrah at 60.68 per cent.

Kolkata North recorded 60.18 per cent polling, while Kolkata South registered 57.73 per cent turnout during the same period.

Nadia also saw a significant participation, recording a voter turnout of 61.41 per cent till 1 pm.

(With inputs from ANI)