First phase voting in West Bengal today, polling on 152 seats; Will the ‘M Factor’ decide the key to power in Bengal?

West Bengal Assembly First Phase Elections 2026 Candidates: Today, April 23, voting will take place on 152 seats in the first phase of West Bengal. The Election Commission has made full preparations for this. Security forces have been deployed everywhere in the state. A total of 1,478 candidates are contesting in the first phase. Meanwhile, 3.60 crore voters have also decided on which issues they will base their valuable vote and which candidate they will crown with victory.

Election Commission’s Decision on Bike Riding

Before the first phase of voting, in our special offering M Factor, we are revealing what the public’s issues are. Additionally, we report what the people of Bengal are saying about the Election Commission’s strict orders on bike riding and pillion riding.

In the first phase of elections in West Bengal today, the Commission has implemented several things for the first time. Among these, the most discussed is the bike ban. Under this order, bike movement was prohibited from 6 PM to 6 AM. However, exemptions were given for emergencies and family needs.

There were many in Bengal who questioned this decision and expressed their displeasure. On the other hand, several appeared to support it.

Displeasure Over SIR Should Not Prove Heavy

When the team reached North Dinajpur, the ground reality there was different. Police and security forces were checking every incoming and outgoing car. But bikers were passing through easily. This raised the question of why the Election Commission’s rule on bike riding was not implemented. Was this being done deliberately, or had the Election Commission’s order actually not reached these people?

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee made this decision a major issue in her rallies. Her question was, if they don’t ride bikes, how will they get home? In today’s election, SIR was also a major issue for people. They showed displeasure regarding SIR.

In Hariharpara, West Bengal, women and young voters also play a decisive role. It is believed that in today’s voting, these same voters will decide the fate of electoral candidates. But here too, people are unhappy about SIR.

The Key to Victory Lies in the M Factor

The most special M Factor in West Bengal’s election is the female voter. Whether of any religion or caste, all political parties are trying to win over female voters because about 50 percent of voters in this assembly are women. They decide who will be crowned with victory.

Speaking about the first phase of voting in Bengal, there were about 4.9 crore voters on 152 seats before SIR. After SIR, now more than 3.60 crore voters will vote in this phase. This includes about 1.84 crore men, 1.75 crore women, and 465 third-gender voters.

‘Do or Die’ Situation for BJP

In the state assembly elections this time, it is a ‘do or die’ situation for the BJP. Party leaders feel that if the party does not come to power this time, it will never be able to. Therefore, from ordinary workers to top leaders remained engaged in campaigning. Meanwhile, TMC does not want to lose power in the state at any cost. So it is also putting up a strong fight.

Among the big leaders whose prestige is at stake in today’s first phase election are BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh from Kharagpur Sadar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur, Gautam Deb from Siliguri, BJP candidate Nishith Pramanik from Mathabhanga seat in Cooch Behar, and TMC leader Udayan Guha from Dinhata seat.

Voting on Mamata’s Seat on April 29

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is contesting from the Bhowanipore seat, where voting will take place on April 29. After both phases

North Dinajpur

North Dinajpur, a district in the Indian state of West Bengal, was historically part of the ancient kingdom of Pundravardhana and later the Mughal and British empires. It was created in 1992 after the partition of the larger Dinajpur district, with the northern portion going to Bangladesh. The area is known for its rich cultural heritage, including historical sites like the Kantajew Temple and the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hariharpara

Hariharpara is a historic town located in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India. It is renowned for its significant role in the indigo trade during the British colonial period, when it was a major center for indigo plantations and processing. The area also features a famous mosque, the Hariharpara Jami Masjid, which stands as a testament to its rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Nandigram

Nandigram is a historic town in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, known for its deep roots in the Bhakti movement and its association with the revered Hindu saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The area holds significant religious importance as it is believed to be the site where Lord Krishna spent his childhood as a cowherd, and it features several temples and sacred ponds linked to his pastimes. In modern times, Nandigram gained international attention in 2007 for large-scale protests against a proposed Special Economic Zone, which sparked a major political controversy in the state.

Kharagpur Sadar

Kharagpur Sadar is a subdivisional area in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, known primarily for its administrative and historical significance. The region’s development is closely tied to the expansion of the Indian Railways, as Kharagpur is home to one of the largest railway junctions in India, which played a crucial role during the British colonial era. Today, it serves as a key hub for education and industry, notably housing the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.

Baharampur

Baharampur is a historic city in the Indian state of West Bengal, located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Founded in the mid-18th century by the British East India Company, it served as a key military cantonment and the site of the 1857 Barrackpore mutiny’s early stirrings. Today, it is known for its colonial-era architecture, including the Hazarduari Palace, and remains a cultural and administrative center.

Siliguri

Siliguri is a major city in the Indian state of West Bengal, serving as a crucial gateway to the northeastern states, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its development as a key commercial and transportation hub began in the 19th century under British colonial rule, particularly after the construction of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the expansion of tea plantations in the surrounding Dooars region. Strategically located in the narrow “Chicken’s Neck” corridor, Siliguri has grown rapidly since India’s independence, playing a vital role in regional trade and connectivity.

Mathabhanga

Mathabhanga is a town and a municipality in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India. Historically, it was part of the princely state of Cooch Behar and served as an important administrative and commercial center. The area is known for its cultural heritage, including the nearby Mathabhanga Rajbari (palace), which reflects the region’s royal history.

Bhowanipore

Bhowanipore is a historic neighborhood in South Kolkata, India, known for its blend of colonial-era architecture and Bengali cultural heritage. It gained prominence during the British Raj as a residential area for the Bengali elite and educated middle class, and it was a key hub in India’s independence movement, with figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the revolutionary group Anushilan Samiti having strong ties to the area. Today, it remains a vibrant locality, famous for its traditional markets, old mansions, and the Kalighat Kali Temple nearby.