Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari reached the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur on Wednesday morning, trading sharp remarks without directly interacting as voting took place in a high-profile contest.

The two leaders were briefly present in the Chakraberia locality of Bhabanipur, where Banerjee had stopped outside a local party office after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of Trinamool Congress workers. Soon after, Adhikari arrived nearby with central security personnel and accused the chief minister of panicking after realising public support had shifted away from her.

Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was attempting to influence the election through central forces, observers and poll officials. She claimed TMC workers were being selectively targeted across the state and said democratic norms were under pressure.

Adhikari dismissed the allegations, saying Banerjee was uneasy because the polling process was no longer under the control of state police. He said if she had complaints, she should approach the Election Commission of India. He also claimed he would win Bhabanipur by a margin of at least 30,000 votes.

Banerjee, who usually votes later in the day at Mitra Institution School, began touring booth areas before 8 am this time, underlining the political importance of the seat. She visited areas including Chetla, Padmapukur and Chakraberia, meeting local leaders and checking on polling arrangements.

The BJP accused Banerjee of creating confusion after sensing anti-incumbency sentiment. Adhikari, after offering prayers at temples in Khidirpur, moved across several booth zones in Bhabanipur and maintained that free and fair polling arrangements had been made.

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Voting was underway in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.