The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 29 exuded confidence in winning the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal, stating that the long queues of women voters at polling booths highlights a “vote for change.”
Voting is underway at 142 seats in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements. Polling began at 7 a.m. as voters were seen lined up outside booths across multiple regions like Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s national IT cell, shared a video on X featuring a large number of women voters standing in queues to cast their vote at a polling booth.
“These long queues of women are a vote for change,” he wrote.
These long queues of women are a vote for change. pic.twitter.com/7IrLjomGOm
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 29, 2026
Another clip was shared on the official X handle of West Bengal BJP that showed women voters at a polling booth.
“This seems like Tsunami of women voters queuing to vote for Nari Surokkha,” the party stated.
This seems like Tsunami of women voters queuing to vote for Nari Surokkha. pic.twitter.com/4rn0usZoWJ
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 29, 2026
During the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 on April 23, the BJP BJP defended its north Bengal gains. In the second phase, the battle shifts squarely to the TMC’s strongest belt. In 2021, the ruling party secured 123 of these 142 seats, leaving just 18 for the BJP and one for the ISF.
#WATCH | West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya says, "Our batsmen have scored a century in the first phase of the elections, now the target is a double century." https://t.co/vCFxhZYEqc pic.twitter.com/D7WAyskkZY
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters in the state to exercise their franchise.
“I appeal to all voters of the second and final phase to come out in large numbers to vote, especially mothers, sisters, and youth, to free Bengal from the reign of fear, syndicates, and corruption. Your one vote will not only restore Bengal’s pride but also become a means to ensure the safety of women. Only a government that has both a vision for development and the resolve to identify and expel infiltrators can fulfill the dreams of Bengal’s youth. Vote in record numbers for ‘Sonar Bangla’,” he wrote on X.
बंगाल को भय, सिंडिकेट और भ्रष्टाचार के शासन से मुक्त करने के लिए दूसरे और अंतिम चरण के सभी मतदाताओं, विशेषकर माताओं, बहनों और युवाओं से अपील करता हूँ कि आप अधिक से अधिक संख्या में मतदान करें।
आपका एक वोट बंगाल के गौरव को पुनर्स्थापित करने के साथ-साथ महिलाओं को सुरक्षा देने का…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 29, 2026
A total of 3.21 crore electors, including 1.57 crore women and 792 third-gender voters, are eligible to cast their votes in the second phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal. Polling is being conducted across 41,001 stations, all of which are under webcasting surveillance.
Also, the Election Commission has deployed 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts, with Kolkata receiving the highest deployment of 273 companies. During the first phase on April 23, a 93.19% voter turnout was registered.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4.