High decibel campaign ends in West Bengal

Emotional appeals, spiritual undertones, sharp rhetoric define final day as leaders seek to secure last-mile voter support

Campaigning for the second and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls ended on Monday amid a fierce political battle dominated by exchanges over SIR, infiltration, corruption and unemployment, with both the BJP and the TMC making a slew of promises to voters across 142 constituencies. With this almost a month-long election campaign in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, where polling have concluded also came to an end and all eyes are on the May 4 counting and result declaration. 

Leading from the front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday went all out in the high-stakes West Bengal assembly polls, holding poll rallies there, and writing a letter and an audio message to the electorate urging them to vote for the BJP. In his open letter, he described his outreach in the State as both spiritually uplifting and politically significant.

The PM exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next Government in the State, saying he would “celebrate the oath-taking ceremony together with the people”. Addressing “brothers and sisters of West Bengal,” PM Modi said every election is a sacred festival of democracy and that he felt privileged to participate in it.

Drawing a parallel with his spiritual experience before the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024, Modi said he felt the same divine energy during the West Bengal campaign. “Today, canvassing ends. My last rally of this election campaign has also just concluded. Through this letter, I want to express my gratitude to every family member of West Bengal and also share my emotions,” he said. The prime minister said the affection shown by people across age groups during rallies and road shows was the “real wealth” of his life.

During the high-octane campaign, the BJP leadership accused the ruling TMC of turning West Bengal into a haven for infiltrators, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP was indulging in divisive politics, attempting to bifurcate the State while demonising the consumption of fish and eggs. The ECI has put in place extensive security arrangements, deploying 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts.

Officials said drones fitted with cameras are also being used to monitor the poll process. Kolkata has the highest deployment with 273 companies of central forces. Among the constituencies going to the polls in this phase, Bhangar has the highest number of candidates at 19, while Goghat has the lowest with five, reflecting a varied electoral contest across districts. Key candidates in this phase include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking re-election from Bhabanipur. She is pitted against BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari in one of the most high-profile contests of the phase.

Modi described his outreach in the State as both spiritually uplifting and politically significant and expressed gratitude to the residents and Several BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers of Uttarakhand and Assam campaigned in the state, attacking the TMC over alleged deterioration in law and order, rising crimes against women, political unrest, infiltration and corruption.

Mamata undertook a roadshow in south Kolkata spanning over six kilometres, accompanied by party Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose and candidates Aroop Biswas and Debasish Kumar from Tollygunge and Rashbehari, respectively. TMC flags, festoons, cutouts of Banerjee and banners with slogans in favour of the candidates adorned the roadsides through which the road show passed and culminated at around 5.30 pm. While TMC Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the BJP is distributing money in Assembly constituencies to mobilise support, and asked TMC cadres to accept it but work for his party.

On the last day in Hooghly district, Arambagh Lok Sabha MP Mitali Bag alleged that BJP workers vandalised her vehicle at Goghat while she was on her way to attend a rally of party leader Abhishek Banerjee. Bag claimed that she came under attack near a BJP office and suffered injuries from the shattered windowpane of her vehicle.

In another incident, a CISF jawan was injured in a firing outside the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Singh in the Bhatpara area of North 24 Parganas district late on Sunday night. The injured personnel, identified as Yogesh Sharma, sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was hospitalised. The poll panel has sought a report on the incident. Police said four people, including a TMC councillor, were arrested in connection with the incident.

Armed and opened fire outside the venue but did not breach the secured event area.

Trump noted that one security officer was fired upon but escaped injury due to wearing a bulletproof vest. “They really got him,” Trump said, praising the response of security personnel.

A reporter from CNN who was outside the ballroom said he witnessed the gunman firing nearby before law enforcement quickly intervened.

The incident also unfolded amid protests outside the hotel, where demonstrators voiced opposition to the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Addressing the broader implications, Trump acknowledged the risks of his role but remained resolute. “It’s a dangerous job, but I handle it as well as it can be handled,” he said.

The president also referenced past threats to his safety, including two assassination attempts in 2024-one during a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania and another in Palm Beach Florida.

Calling for unity, Trump concluded his remarks by urging Americans to resolve differences peacefully. “We had people from across the political spectrum in that room… in light of tonight’s events, I ask all Americans to recommit to resolving our differences peacefully,” he said.