A large wild elephant walking through a village street in Jhargram, West Bengal, as local residents watch from a distance during the election period.
A large wild elephant walking through a village street in Jhargram, West Bengal, as local residents watch from a distance during the election period.

2.45pm Update: Bengal Election: PM Modi Foresees Historic Turnout and Commends ECI for Largely Peaceful Polls

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2.30pm Update: West Bengal had a voter turnout of 61.18 per cent, while Tamil Nadu had 56.81 per cent by 1 p.m. as polling for the Assembly elections was ongoing, according to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Agartala/Kolkata April 23: As the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections commenced on Thursday, the excitement among political leaders and commoners across Tripura is obvious. From the power corridors of Agartala to the tea stalls of Unakoti, the high-stakes battle for Bengal has become a focal point of local discourse.

Meantime, while security forces remained on high alert across 152 constituencies, an unexpected visitor in Jhargram stole the spotlight, reminding everyone that nature often ignores political boundaries.

Ramlal’s Unscheduled Visit to the Booth

In a scene that felt more like a movie script than a morning at the polls, a massive wild tusker locally known as ‘Ramlal’ arrived early at the Jitushol Primary School polling station in Jhargram. Before the first official ballot was even cast, the elephant appeared to join the queue.

A large wild elephant walking through a village street in Jhargram, West Bengal, as local residents watch from a distance during the election period.
A large wild elephant walking through a village street in Jhargram, West Bengal, as local residents watch from a distance during the election period.

Naturally, the human voters were not keen on sharing their space with a minivan-sized neighbor. The sudden appearance caused a brief commotion among the assembling crowd. Fortunately, the forest department’s specialized “tusk-force” acted swiftly. They successfully escorted Ramlal back into the forest without any injuries or damage. The incident delayed the start only slightly, ensuring that the only heavyweights at the booth remained the political candidates.

The Tripura Connection: Leaders Camp in Bengal

The Bengal elections have drawn unprecedented attention from Tripura. For months, the state’s political heavyweights have been deeply involved in the Bengal campaign. Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and other Ministers – Ratan Lal Nath, Sushanta Chowdhury were among the star camapigners in Bengal from Tripura.

Despite a recent thumping defeat in the TTAADC polls, Tripura’s BJP leadership has maintained a confident front during the campaign in Bengal.

Ex-Chief Minister and incumbent BJP MP from Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb is currently camping in West Bengal. Tripura Ministers and MLAs who have been working on the ground to bolster the saffron party’s prospects. Their goal is clear: to ensure the BJP’s third attempt to capture power in Bengal succeeds.

Meanwhile, in Agartala, the mood remains upbeat across party lines:

  • BJP: Optimistic that this election cycle will finally see the ousting of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. Fresh from a humiliating loss in the crucial TTAADC polls, saffron supporters are desperately hoping for a victory in Bengal.

  • CPIM: Realistic about not forming a government alone but hopeful of a significant resurgence in their seat count. If the party can improve its position in Bengal, the result is likely to boost morale of the Red party activists in Tripura, local Left leaders commented.

Phase 1 by the Numbers

The first phase is a massive logistical undertaking. It covers 16 districts and 152 constituencies across both North and South Bengal.

  • Voter Turnout: By 11 a.m., the Election Commission of India (ECI) recorded a turnout of 41.11%.

  • Security Blanket: An unprecedented 2,407 companies of central forces are on the ground. This includes the CAPF and the India Reserve Battalion.

  • Grievances: The ECI received 635 complaints by mid-morning, mostly regarding local violence and alleged malpractices. Of these, 375 were filed digitally via the C-Vigil app.

Quick Glance & FAQ

Q: Which districts voted in the first phase? A: A total of 16 districts, including Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Malda in the North, and East/West Midnapore, Jhargram, and Purulia in the South.

Q: When is the next phase of voting? A: The second phase for the remaining 142 seats is scheduled for April 29.

Q: When will the results be announced? A: The counting of votes and official declaration of results will take place on May 4.