Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two public rallies in West Bengal on Friday as the Bharatiya Janata Party steps up campaigning ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections.

According to the schedule, Modi will hold meetings in Dum Dum in the northern part of Kolkata and in Jadavpur in the southern part of the city.

The rallies are seen as significant for the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its position in south Bengal.

The first phase of the West Bengal elections, held on Thursday, recorded nearly 92 per cent voter turnout among 3.60 crore electors, one of the highest participation rates in the state’s recent electoral history. Polling, however, also saw allegations over voter name deletions, sporadic violence and attacks on candidates.

READ MORE: Assam-born Fazlur Rahman finds cancer's link with environment

The second phase of voting is scheduled for April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.