Assembly Election 2026: Campaigning Ends in Bengal and Tamil Nadu, Mamata Raises EC Allegations
Election Update 2026
Campaigning for the first phase of the 2026 Assembly Elections has officially ended in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
With the silence period now in effect, political attention has shifted toward voting day on April 23, when millions of voters across both states are expected to cast their ballots.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee intensified the political atmosphere by raising serious allegations against the Election Commission of India.
West Bengal Election 2026: Direct Battle on 152 Seats
The first phase of polling in West Bengal will cover 152 assembly seats, where the main contest is being seen between the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
TMC’s Campaign Strategy
Mamata Banerjee addressed major rallies in Haldia and Jorasanko, claiming that her party would return to power for a fourth consecutive term.
The TMC campaign focused heavily on:
- Local development
- Welfare schemes
- Regional identity politics
BJP’s Counter Campaign
Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned aggressively in North Bengal and Siliguri, promoting the slogan of “Parivartan” (change).
The BJP highlighted:
- Law and order issues
- Corruption allegations
- Development and governance
Heavy Security Deployment Across Bengal
The Election Commission has deployed nearly 2,450 companies of central security forces across sensitive regions in West Bengal.
Special monitoring arrangements have been made in areas considered politically vulnerable to ensure peaceful voting.
Mamata Banerjee Accuses Election Commission
Just before campaigning ended, Mamata Banerjee made several serious allegations against the Election Commission.
Key Allegations Include:
Rally Permission Issue
Mamata claimed permission was denied for a rally in Kolkata’s Colin Lane area.
Officer Transfers
She accused authorities of transferring officials under political pressure.
Voter List Concerns
The TMC chief also alleged irregularities in voter lists and claimed that outside names had been added improperly.
These allegations have triggered a fresh political debate over election transparency and neutrality.
Tamil Nadu Election 2026: Single Phase Voting
Unlike Bengal, voting for all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will take place in a single phase on April 23.
The state is witnessing a triangular contest between:
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK Alliance)
- All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
Major Campaign Faces in Tamil Nadu
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay held large roadshows in Chennai, attracting significant crowds and media attention.
Meanwhile, Edappadi K. Palaniswami led AIADMK’s campaign efforts across key constituencies.
Important Election Dates
| Phase | Date | West Bengal Seats | Tamil Nadu Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 23 April 2026 | 152 | 234 |
| Phase 2 | 29 April 2026 | 142 | — |
| Results | 04 May 2026 | All Seats | All Seats |
Election Analysis: Who Has the Momentum?
Political analysts believe West Bengal remains a direct TMC vs BJP contest, where local issues, political allegations, and voter mobilization could play decisive roles.
In Tamil Nadu, the triangular contest has made predictions more difficult, especially with TVK emerging as a new political force.
Experts also suggest that:
- Voter turnout
- Booth-level mobilization
- Last-minute campaigning impact
could significantly influence the final outcome.
Conclusion
The first phase of Assembly Election 2026 has already turned into a high-voltage political battle in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Now, all eyes are on April 23 voting and the final results on May 4, which will determine whether voters choose continuity, change, or a completely new political direction.