Record turnout, rhetorics set stage for phase 2 polls

As polling for the first phase of the two-phase West Bengal assembly elections concluded with a record 92.35% turnout on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are gearing up for the second phase, with the remaining 142 seats set to vote on April 29.

- Tanmay Chatterjee

At campaign rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah asserted that the BJP would secure its first victory in the state with an absolute majority.

Addressing the day's first rally in Nadia district, Modi said, “As far as I know, the polling rate is surpassing all records. Fear is stepping back and confidence is marching ahead. All are saying change is necessary. BJP’s victory is certain.” He made the remark around 1.40 pm, when turnout had crossed 62%.

Hours later, TMC chief and chief minister Mamata Banerjee told voters at Kolkata’s Chowringhee constituency that the high turnout favoured her party.