New Delhi: As the second phase of the West Bengal polls is underway, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to all voters to ‘liberate’ Bengal from the rule of fear, syndicates, and corruption. He further urged people to cast a record number of votes for a ‘Sonar Bangla’.
HM Shah took to social media ‘X’ and said, “To liberate Bengal from the rule of fear, syndicates, and corruption, I appeal to all voters in the second and final phase – especially mothers, sisters, and the youth – to cast your votes in the greatest possible numbers.”
“Your single vote will serve as the means to restore Bengal’s glory, while simultaneously ensuring the safety and security of women. The dreams of Bengal’s youth can only be fulfilled by a government that possesses both a vision for development and the resolute will to systematically root out infiltrators. Cast a record number of votes for a ‘Sonar Bangla,” he said.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy also took to X and said, “Dear people of West Bengal, Step out and vote. Choose progress. Choose a Viksit Bengal for a Viksit Bharat. I urge the young and first-time voters to turn up. Let’s strengthen our democracy and shape the future together. Every vote counts.”
Meanwhile, polling began at 7 a.m. for 142 constituencies across six districts in West Bengal, including its capital, Kolkata, in the second phase of the Assembly polls.
The polling process started with mild tension in certain pockets from the very first hour.
In the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata, which is witnessing a battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, the Chief Minister’s brother, Kartik Banerjee, was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with companions in excess of the permitted number. The central forces cautioned him not to assemble near a polling station with more than four persons at a time.
At Bhawanipur-adjacent Rashbehari constituency, also in South Kolkata, mild tension broke out following allegations that the ruling Trinamool Congress activists were not allowing Congress booth agents to enter a particular polling booth. Congress alleged ‘hooliganism’ in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency by the ruling party activists.
(IANS)
