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News India Live, Digital Desk: As the battle for the first phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 begins, reports of violence and tension are coming out from many parts of the state. Today, during the voting on 152 seats in 16 districts, tremendous political drama was witnessed in Murshidabad, where a bloody clash took place between TMC workers and Humayun Kabir supporters. At the same time, long queues of voters in high-profile seats including Nandigram indicate that the people of Bengal are in the mood for a major upheaval this time.
Ruckus in Murshidabad: Humayun Kabir’s serious allegations against TMC
During voting, the atmosphere got heated in Murshidabad when a scuffle started between Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir and TMC supporters. Making serious allegations against the ruling party, Kabir said that TMC has bought more than 25 of its candidates with money. He claimed that a game of intimidation is going on to influence the elections. After this clash, heavy police force and central security forces have been deployed in the area.
Suvendu Adhikari’s challenge: ‘Change will start from Nandigram’
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who reached Nandigram to cast his vote, launched a scathing attack on the Mamata government. He said that the enthusiasm of the first phase of voting shows that the people of Bengal want freedom from the misrule of ‘Didi’. Suvendu claimed that BJP is going to do a clean sweep from North Bengal to Nandigram. Nandigram has been converted into a cantonment for security reasons, because like last time, a close fight is being witnessed here.
EVM broken at many booths, voters enthusiastic even in scorching sun
During the voting which started at 7 am, complaints of technical fault in EVMs were received at many polling stations in Malda and Murshidabad. Due to the machine malfunctioning at the Raghunathganj Girls School booth, voters got angry and surrounded the Election Commission officials. However, despite the scorching heat, great enthusiasm was seen among the women and elderly people. Nearly 3.6 crore voters are today deciding the fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women candidates.
Unprecedented security arrangements, yet bombings at many places
The Election Commission has made strict security arrangements this time, but despite this, there has been news of crude bombs being thrown in Nawda area of Murshidabad, in which some people have been injured. In the first phase, voting is also going on in sensitive areas like Darjeeling, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar. Central forces are being deployed and every booth is being monitored through webcasting so that election violence like 2021 is not repeated.
Triangular competition spoiled the mathematics of the parties
This time the contest in Bengal is not just between TMC and BJP. Humayun Kabir’s new party and the Left-Congress alliance have made the contest triangular on many seats. Humayun Kabir’s activism, especially in Muslim dominated areas, has increased the concern of breach in TMC’s vote bank. Now it remains to be seen who will have the ‘throne’ of Bengal when the results come on May 4.
