CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim criticised CM Mamata Banerjee, calling her a ‘rocket cracker’ that has fizzled out. He added her political rise was manufactured as he cast his vote in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
‘Rocket cracker has fizzled out’: CPI(M)’s Salim slams Mamata
CPI(M) West Bengal Secretary Mohammad Salim on Wednesday lambasted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her visits to polling booths during the ongoing elections and said that those who “keep flying also need to hit the ground”, adding that the TMC chief was “never a star in the sky”. After casting a vote in Kolkata along with his wife Rosina Khatun, Salim remarked that Mamata Banerjee’s political rise was manufactured and not natural. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Salim said leaders must remain connected to the ground reality. “You need to hit the ground. Those who keep flying also need to hit the ground. When the rocket cracker has gunpowder inside, it goes up in the sky when you ignite it. But when it runs out of gunpowder, it fizzles out and drops to the ground. It is too late now, Mamata, to hit the ground, too little too late. She was never a star in the sky; she was made one. Voting was held very peacefully in the first phase as well and even now it is the same,” Salim told ANI.
He also dedicated his vote to those allegedly deprived of their voting rights and said CPI(M) continues to fight for democratic rights and against communalism in the state. “I dedicate my vote to those people who have been deprived of voting rights and disenfranchised with a design. This is very unfortunate, but we will continue to fight for their rights. In Bengal, we are fighting for democratic rights and against communalism. The fight will continue,” he added.
Salim, along with his wife Rosina Khatun, cast their votes in Kolkata on Wednesday and showed their inked fingers after voting in the West Bengal Elections 2026.
Phase 2 Polling Underway Amid Tight Security
Further, in Bhangar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, state police and central forces are keeping a close watch on various sensitive areas. The administration is on high alert to ensure peaceful and fair voting.
Polling in the state is underway amid tight security arrangements, with leaders across parties making their presence felt at various booths. West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 39.97 per cent until 11 am on Wednesday, as polling for the 142 seats in the second phase of Assembly elections is underway.
Voter Turnout Crosses 40% in Several Districts
According to the Election Commission of India, Purba Bardhaman stood at the top, with a voting percentage of 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly, which has witnessed 43.12 per cent polling until 11 am. Kolkata North and Kolkata South recorded a voter turnout of 38.39 per cent and 36.78 per cent, respectively. Nadia also recorded a sizeable turnout of 40.34 per cent.
The main fight in West Bengal in the 2026 elections is between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Earlier in the day, West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari inspected the polling booths in Bhabanipur constituency. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at the Mitra Institute polling booth in Bhabanipur.
Key Phase for Trinamool Congress
The second phase of the polling is widely seen as the ‘litmus test’ for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), as voting moves into the party’s traditional fortresses in South Bengal and Kolkata. The second phase covers 142 out of 294 seats in West Bengal. The total electorate is around 3.21 crore, with 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 transgender voters.1,448 candidates are in the fray, including 220 women at 41,001 polling stations, with over 8,000 managed entirely by women.
The results of West Bengal polls will be declared on May 4, along with the outcome of polls in Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)