New Delhi: The battle to take over the reigns of West Bengal has heated up, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the dates of the polls on Sunday.
The polling of the votes in Bengal will take place in two phases. In the first phase, polling will take place for 152 seats on April 23, and there will be elections for the remaining 142 seats on April 29. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on May 4. Notably, the Assembly elections in the state in 2021 took place in eight phases. While the ruling TMC government is looking to register its fourth consecutive victory in the Assembly elections, the opposition parties including the BJP and CPM are looking to stop that juggernaut.
Change in Bengal imminent: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday upped the ante of BJP’s campaign in Bengal by slamming the ruling TMC government in the state. He was in a visit to Bengal where the Prime Minister unveiled connectivity projects worth Rs 18,680 crore and said a new chapter of India’s development was being written there. He slammed the state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that a “change in Bengal” is imminent.
PM Modi also attacked the previous governments in Bengal and added, “First the Congress, then the Communists, and now TMC, these parties came one after another, filling up their pockets while development work in Bengal remained stalled. The state will again have the rule of law. TMC leaders accused of atrocities will not be spared.”
Bengal Governor changed ahead of polls
In a notable development this month, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi was appointed as West Bengal’s Governor after former Governor CV Ananda Bose suddenly resigned. His resignation ahead of the upcoming assembly elections has gained significant political attention.
CM Banerjee expressed shock at the statement, and wrote on X, “The Union Home Minister informed me that R.N. Ravi is being appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal. However, no consultation was held with me as per the prevailing practice in this matter.”
I am shocked and deeply concerned by the sudden news of the resignation of Shri C. V. Ananda Bose, the Governor of West Bengal.
The reasons behind his resignation are not known to me at this moment. However, given the prevailing circumstances, I would not be surprised if the…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 5, 2026
She added, “Such actions not only affect the spirit of the Constitution of India but also affect the very foundation of our federal system. The Central Government should respect the principle of federal cooperation and avoid unilateral decisions that will affect the respect and democratic traditions of the states.”