Bengal Phase 2 Campaign Ends, EC Orders Action Over Mamata Caricature

Polling for 142 seats across West Bengal tomorrow as security forces tighten grip; TMC and BJP trade allegations in final stretch.

The high-decibel campaign for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections came to a close on Monday evening, with all eyes now on tomorrow’s voting across 142 constituencies. The outcome is expected to determine which way the political winds blow in a state that has seen a bitter, no-holds-barred fight between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In the final 24 hours before polling, the Election Commission stepped in with a sharp directive. Police have been ordered to take strict action over an obscene cartoon targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that surfaced on social media.

EC steps in over offensive post

The TMC flagged a screenshot of the post, alleging it was shared by a BJP supporter from Uttar Pradesh. Party workers described the caricature as “vile and insulting.” Following a formal complaint by Nilanjan Das, the Bidhannagar cyber cell has started probing the account. The EC’s swift order, issued late Monday, directed police not to delay action.

Mamata’s Kolkata roadshow draws crowds

Undeterred by the controversy, Banerjee hit the streets for a final push. She led a 6-km roadshow from Sukanta Setu to Gopalnagar Crossing in south Kolkata, drawing large crowds that snaked through the evening traffic. The show of strength was aimed at consolidating the party’s core base in the crucial South Bengal belt.

Over 1,500 arrested, bombs found

Polling day preparations have been shadowed by recurring violence. A CISF jawan was injured after firing broke out outside a BJP candidate’s residence in Bhatpara, North 24 Parganas. Four people, including a local councillor, have been arrested. In Howrah, eight crude bombs were recovered from a polling booth premises.

Acting on EC directives to ensure peaceful voting, police have arrested 1,543 people across the state. Among them is TMC councillor Naru Gopal Bhakta from Purba Bardhaman, accused of attacking a BJP leader’s house. Authorities have also seized illegal items worth over ₹510 crore, including ₹30 crore in cash and a significant quantity of liquor and drugs.

Rijiju sees ‘wave’, TMC cries bias

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that a strong wave is building for the BJP, asserting that voters see his party as the only credible alternative. “The state has been destroyed under TMC rule,” he said, adding that the BJP aims to make West Bengal a growth engine again.

The TMC, meanwhile, questioned the neutrality of a police observer deployed in South 24 Parganas, calling the move politically biased. Party candidate Jahangir Khan was seen in a viral video being warned by UP IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma over alleged voter intimidation. Khan responded with a threatening tone: “You may have started the game, but we will finish it.”

Border movement restricted, CCTV in place

Movement through the Petrapole land port and other Bangladesh border routes has been restricted ahead of tomorrow’s voting. Officials confirmed that robust security measures, including live CCTV monitoring and central force deployment, are in place, especially in sensitive zones like Sandeshkhali, which witnessed alleged atrocities in 2024.

With the TMC fighting to retain its dominance in its South Bengal stronghold and the BJP banking on Matua and refugee votes in North 24 Parganas, tomorrow’s polling is expected to be a test of which party can turn out its base under the shadow of central forces.