The fiercely contested West Bengal election began on April 23, but the central question is not who will be voted to power, but who will be allowed to vote

In West Bengal, the fiercest contest unfolded on April 23, 2026, when voting took place in 152 of 294 seats across 16 districts in the first phase, as the fate of 1,478 candidates in the fray was locked in EVMs. The day was marked by sporadic violence but largely went as per plan. The second phase of polling is scheduled for next week. The West Bengal contest is less a referendum on governance and more a test of identity, documents, and political mobilisation. There are two key things to observe in this election — who gets to vote, and how many votes and seats the BJP secures, as it has finally emerged as the main challenger to the entrenched TMC, relegating the Left and........

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