Re-polling in Assam; PM Modi to address 3 Bengal rallies today

Re-election begins at Karimganj booth following clashes as PM prepares for high-decibel campaigning in West Bengal and meets violence-hit family.

Voting is currently underway for re-polling at a crucial booth in Assam’s Shribhoomi district on Saturday morning, following reports of violence during the initial phase. Simultaneously, the political temperature in neighboring West Bengal is set to soar as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a marathon three-rally schedule, coupled with a significant personal meeting with victims of political unrest.

Re-polling starts in Karimganj

Voting commenced at 7 am at the 239–Babyland High English School polling station under the Karimganj North Assembly constituency. The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the fresh mandate after clashes broke out between supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC).

Security has been heavily bolstered in the area to prevent any further disruption. Officials confirmed that polling will continue until 5 pm, with 14 candidates awaiting the decision of the local electorate in this high-stakes India News Update.

Security tightened at booths

District authorities in Shribhoomi have deployed additional paramilitary forces to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. Sources indicated that the re-polling was necessitated by a breach of polling sanctity during the previous round.

Observers from the ECI are monitoring the proceedings via webcasting to maintain transparency. Early reports suggest a steady turnout of voters despite the tension that marred the previous session.

PM Modi’s Bengal blitz

In West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to spearhead a massive outreach campaign. His first address is slated for 12 pm in Katwa, Purba Bardhaman, a region where the BJP is looking to consolidate its rural footprint.

The Prime Minister will then move to Jangipur in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district for a 1:45 pm rally. His final public engagement of the day will take place in South Dinajpur at 3:45 pm, marking an intensive push for the saffron party ahead of the next phase of polling.

Meeting Murshidabad violence victims

Beyond the electoral rhetoric, the Prime Minister’s visit carries significant emotional weight. Modi is expected to meet the family of Chandan Das, who was killed during a violent mob attack in Jaffrabad, Jangipur, on April 12, 2024.

Das and his father, Hargobind Das, were allegedly targeted during protests surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act. This meeting is seen as a strategic move to highlight the law-and-order situation in the state, often a focal point of the BJP’s critique of the ruling dispensation.

Voter list revision row

The political climate has been further agitated by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in West Bengal. Recent Government Updates suggest that the list is now frozen, with nearly 27 lakh names removed due to documentation discrepancies.

Dilip Ghosh and other senior BJP leaders have backed the SIR process, asserting that only those with genuine credentials should remain on the rolls. Conversely, opposition parties have raised concerns over the exclusion of voters, though only two names have been reinstated so far after review.

Shift in political alliances

The election landscape is also witnessing a realignment of forces. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has officially ended its alliance with the Aam Janata Upnagar Party.

This decision follows the controversy surrounding a viral video of Humayun Kabir. As the campaign intensifies, the BJP has also released its manifesto, which Home Minister Amit Shah termed a “letter of trust” aimed at the holistic development of West Bengal.

Future poll outlook today

With re-polling in Assam and the Prime Minister’s high-profile presence in Bengal, the day marks a critical juncture in the 2026 electoral cycle. The outcome of the Karimganj North booth will be closely watched as a bellwether for local sentiment.