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West Bengal Exit Polls highlights: Close contest likely, 3 pollsters give edge to BJP; People's Pulse predicts TMC win

West Bengal Exit Poll Results highlights: A voter turnout of 91.47% was recorded in Bengal on Wednesday, as per ECI data. Meanwhile, a close fight is expected in Bengal, according to exit poll predictions. Three projections predicted a BJP win, while People's Pulse projected a clear TMC sweep.

Key Events
  • 8:49 PM IST, April 29All about election day and exit poll projections today
  • 8:34 PM IST, April 29Highest-ever Bengal voter turnout since Independence
  • 8:15 PM IST, April 29A summary of exit poll predictions so far
  • 7:51 PM IST, April 29JVC exit poll suggests tight contest, gives edge to BJP
  • 7:39 PM IST, April 29Poll Diary predicts BJP win
  • 7:32 PM IST, April 29TMC's first reaction to exit poll predictions
  • 7:27 PM IST, April 29CEC hails Bengal voter turnout
  • 7:25 PM IST, April 29Phase 2 voter turnout rises to over 90%
  • 7:14 PM IST, April 293 pollsters release Bengal exit polls, read analysis
  • 6:58 PM IST, April 29P-Marq exit poll predicts BJP victory in Bengal
  • 6:39 PM IST, April 29People's Pulse predicts TMC sweep in West Bengal
  • 6:36 PM IST, April 29TMC will touch its highest tally ever, say TMC sources
  • 6:34 PM IST, April 29Matrize projections for West Bengal
  • 6:30 PM IST, April 29Exit poll predictions to be released soon
  • 6:23 PM IST, April 29Mamata alleges slow voting but claims TMC victory in Bengal
  • 6:19 PM IST, April 29Which districts have recorded high voter turnouts till 5 pm?
  • 6:10 PM IST, April 29When and where to watch exit poll predictions?
  • 6:07 PM IST, April 29Phase 2 polls close in Bengal
  • 5:59 PM IST, April 29Bhabanipur records 85.51% voter turnout so far
  • 5:55 PM IST, April 29TMC's Mitali Bag reaches poll booth on wheelchair after ‘attack’
  • 5:47 PM IST, April 29District-wise voter turnout till 5 pm
  • 5:41 PM IST, April 29Nearly 90% voter turnout recorded in Bengal so far
  • 5:33 PM IST, April 29Huge cheers greet Mamata Banerjee as she visits Ekbalpur in Kolkata
  • 5:22 PM IST, April 29‘Not at all free and fair polls’, says TMC chief Mamata Banerjee
  • 5:12 PM IST, April 29TMC alleges CRPF personnel dragged polling agent outside booth
  • 5:03 PM IST, April 29‘Repolling likely in booths if EVMs found tampered’: Bengal CEO
  • 4:54 PM IST, April 29Which districts have recorded high voter turnouts so far?
  • 4:41 PM IST, April 29‘Target is double century’, says Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya
  • 4:38 PM IST, April 29‘Central forces working for a particular party’, alleges Mamata
  • 4:26 PM IST, April 29‘Never seen this type of democracy’, says Mamata before casting vote
  • 4:16 PM IST, April 29Mamata arrives to cast vote in Bhabanipur
  • 4:11 PM IST, April 29RG Kar victim's mother faces TMC protests for 'influencing voters'
  • 4:01 PM IST, April 29Farooq Abdullah slams EC's handling of WB polls
  • 3:51 PM IST, April 29District-wise voter turnout in Bengal so far
  • 3:44 PM IST, April 2978.68% voter turnout in Bengal till 3 pm
  • 3:33 PM IST, April 29TMC alleges assault by central forces in Bagda
  • 3:27 PM IST, April 29Mamata, Suvendu land in same booth area in Bhabanipur
  • 3:17 PM IST, April 29Kolkata mayor and TMC candidate Firhad Hakim casts vote
  • 3:09 PM IST, April 29Repolling likely in Falta
  • 2:54 PM IST, April 29‘Hooligans attacked me,' claims Mamata's opponent Suvendu Adhikari
  • 2:43 PM IST, April 29Voter turnout may surpass first phase, says Bengal Chief Electoral Officer
  • 2:36 PM IST, April 29RG Kar victim's mother claims attack in Panihati
  • 2:29 PM IST, April 29What is the voter demographic in Bengal?
  • 2:21 PM IST, April 29Blot of ink of BJP symbol at Panihati booth, removed using sanitiser
  • 2:14 PM IST, April 29BJP leader says 85% voting has been completed
  • 2:07 PM IST, April 29PM Modi lauds massive turnout seen in elections
  • 1:58 PM IST, April 29BJP claims tape used to cover its poll symbol at some booths
  • 1:47 PM IST, April 2961.11% voting percentage recorded till 1 pm
  • 1:39 PM IST, April 29Person carrying sharp object ‘threatened’ people to vote for BJP, claims Trinamool leader
  • 1:29 PM IST, April 29IPS Ajay Pal Sharma seen amid row over his deployment as observer
  • 1:20 PM IST, April 29Several detained in Chapra after tensions between ISF and Trinamool supporters
  • 1:08 PM IST, April 29CRPF DG visits booth in Bhabanipur, from where Mamata Banerjee is contesting
  • 12:59 PM IST, April 29RG Kar victim's father says ‘TMC goons’ raised slogans
  • 12:51 PM IST, April 29What is the voting percentage in second phase so far?
  • 12:48 PM IST, April 29Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly, wife cast votes
  • 12:35 PM IST, April 29BJP's Basanti candidate claims attack by TMC 'goons'
  • 12:30 PM IST, April 2939.97% polling by 11 am
  • 12:08 PM IST, April 29Trinamool leader alleges Central forces threatened leaders against voting
  • 11:57 AM IST, April 29Over 37% voting so far in seat where Mamata Banerjee is contesting
  • 11:46 AM IST, April 29‘NIA team has come here to scare us’, says Trinamool candidate in Bhangar
  • 11:42 AM IST, April 29Nearly 40% turnout in second phase so far
  • 11:31 AM IST, April 29NIA officials deployed in Kasba, Bhangar, five other seats today
  • 11:23 AM IST, April 29When will exit poll data come out
  • 11:19 AM IST, April 29Was voting delayed at some booths?
  • 11:06 AM IST, April 29BJP polling agent claims attack by TMC ‘goons’, says they brought guns
  • 11:00 AM IST, April 29External observers are ‘BJP’s personal musclemen’, claims Mamata Banerjee
  • 10:52 AM IST, April 29BJP candidate claims false EVM placed outside booth in Noapara
  • 10:46 AM IST, April 29Central forces patrolling to keep ‘Trinamool goons’ out, says BJP
  • 10:37 AM IST, April 29Angry voters in Baranagar claim machine issue delayed voting by 2.5 hours
  • 10:25 AM IST, April 29Trinamool and ISF supporters clash in Hooghly
  • 10:15 AM IST, April 29BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, takes dig at Mamata Banerjee
  • 10:12 AM IST, April 29‘One officer caused trouble across Bengal’, says Mamata
  • 9:57 AM IST, April 29Trinamool MP's big challenge to PM Modi if Mamata wins in West Bengal
  • 9:50 AM IST, April 29NIA team, cops, central forces keep watch in Bhangar
  • 9:45 AM IST, April 2918.39% voting in final phase so far; highest in Purba Bardhaman
  • 9:34 AM IST, April 29Mamata Banerjee flashes clip of ‘worker being beaten up’
  • 9:29 AM IST, April 29‘They are picking up all our boys,’ says Mamata Banerjee in big attack on central forces
  • 9:21 AM IST, April 29Was voting delayed in Bengal?
  • 9:16 AM IST, April 29Chaos outside Howrah polling booth after ‘failed’ voting attempts
  • 9:08 AM IST, April 29Where was violence reported?
  • 9:00 AM IST, April 29Report claims BJP agent assaulted at polling booth in Nadia
  • 8:54 AM IST, April 29EVM glitch sparks clash in Bengal's Bally; 2 detained by CRPF
  • 8:47 AM IST, April 29Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee casts vote in Kolkata
  • 8:40 AM IST, April 29BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal gets into verbal alteraction at Kolkata booth
  • 8:36 AM IST, April 29BJP candidate calls TMC ‘private limited company of aunt, nephew’
  • 8:29 AM IST, April 29Rain warning in parts of Bengal as state votes in final phase, check forecast
  • 8:21 AM IST, April 29Mahua Moitra arrives in e-rickshaw to cast vote
  • 8:09 AM IST, April 29How BJP vs Trinamool unfolded during campaign for polls
  • 8:03 AM IST, April 29‘Some problem with EVM press button’, says BJP candidate in Panihati
  • 7:59 AM IST, April 29RG Kar victim's mother and BJP candidate casts vote in Panihati
  • 7:57 AM IST, April 29Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra casts her vote at Nadia
  • 7:45 AM IST, April 29BJP's Roopa Ganguly claims ‘slight problem’ with machine after casting vote
  • 7:41 AM IST, April 29BJP candidates in Bhatpara, Sonarpur Dakshin, Pursurah cast votes
  • 7:37 AM IST, April 29When will exit polls come out?
  • 7:33 AM IST, April 29‘Voted for change’, says BJP candidate in Noapara, Arjun Singh
  • 7:30 AM IST, April 29India envoy to Bangladesh casts vote in Kolkata
  • 7:24 AM IST, April 29RG Kar victim's father turns emotional as he steps out to vote
  • 7:20 AM IST, April 29What did poll predictions say last time?
  • 7:11 AM IST, April 29Which as some key seats in fray for the last phase?
  • 7:07 AM IST, April 29PM Modi urges record turnout as voting begins, appeals to women and youth
  • 7:01 AM IST, April 29Voting for final phase begins amid tight security
  • 6:57 AM IST, April 29Record voter turnout in first phase, will history repeat in final phase?
  • 6:54 AM IST, April 29ISF President says viral video shows people being threatened to not vote
  • 6:48 AM IST, April 29When will voting begin for final phase?
  • 6:46 AM IST, April 29Presiding officer in Purba Burdwan says mock polls are going well
  • 6:40 AM IST, April 29Plea seeks ‘urgent’ removal of IPS Ajay Pal Sharma as controversy heats up
  • 6:37 AM IST, April 29Mock polls conducted in South 24 Parganas, Durgapur, Purba Burdwan
  • 6:34 AM IST, April 29Queues form outside poll centres in Kolkata, South 24 Parganas
  • 6:21 AM IST, April 29Second and final phase polling today, Mamata Banerjee among candidates in fray
West Bengal Election 2026 highlights: A voter turnout of 89.99% was recorded in Bengal till 5 pm on Wednesday, as per ECI data.
West Bengal Election 2026 highlights: A voter turnout of 89.99% was recorded in Bengal till 5 pm on Wednesday, as per ECI data.

West Bengal Exit Poll Results highlights: A voter turnout of 91.47% was recorded in Bengal on Wednesday, as per ECI data. Meanwhile, a close fight is expected in Bengal, according to exit poll predictions. Three projections predicted a win for the BJP in West Bengal, while People's Pulse projected a clear TMC sweep.

Violence and vandalism reportedly took place in parts of West Bengal shortly after voting for the final phase of Assembly elections began this morning. Claims of an EVM glitch and failed and delayed voting were made in Hooghly and the CRPF personnel reportedly detained two people in Bally after a clash erupted over similar allegations.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee levelled big allegations against central forces deployed in West Bengal for the elections and said they were working “as per the BJP’s directions”. Flashing a clip towards the media, Banerjee claimed that a Trinamool worker was beaten up and questioned if this is how voting should take place.

Mamata Banerjee is among the 1,448 candidates in fray across 142 constituencies that are seeing voting in the final phase today. She is tied in an intense fight with the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.

The BJP looks to secure a mandate this time around after an improved tally of 77 seats in the last elections held in 2021.

Here are top developments since the final phase of voting began:

EVM tampering allegations: As candidates stepped out of their homes and took part in casting their votes this morning, some of them reported issues with the EVMs. BJP candidates in Sonarpur Dakshin and Panihati said there were some issues with the EVM buttons or machine at the booths. Later, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a clip, alleging attempts to cover the button to vote for the BJP with tape.

Voting delayed at some booths? Some booths in Bengal's Howrah and Baranagar saw chaos as voters alleged that the poll process began very late. The timing of the voting to begin was 7 am this morning. Angry voters claimed that there were “failed” attempts of voting due to a glitch with the EVMs.

RG Kar victim's mother alleges attack: The mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim has been fielded as a BJP candidate in Panihati. On Wednesday, she alleged being attacked by Trinamool workers. “TMC workers intensely targeted me earlier today. They sent goons who attacked me while shouting 'go back' slogans," she said.

Trinamool MP's big challenge to PM Modi: As voting began, Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien issued a challenge to PM Modi, asking he would “dare” to resign if the Mamata Banerjee-led party was reelected in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee's allegations against central forces: Banerjee, who is also in the fray in the final phase from Bhabanipur, visited the constituency this morning and levelled big allegations against the central forces. She accused central forces and election observers of acting at the BJP's behest and claimed TMC workers and leaders were being selectively targeted across districts.

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Violence and vandalism reportedly took place in parts of West Bengal shortly after voting for the final phase of Assembly elections began this morning. Claims of an EVM glitch and failed and delayed voting were made in Hooghly and the CRPF personnel reportedly detained two people in Bally after a clash erupted over similar allegations.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee levelled big allegations against central forces deployed in West Bengal for the elections and said they were working “as per the BJP’s directions”. Flashing a clip towards the media, Banerjee claimed that a Trinamool worker was beaten up and questioned if this is how voting should take place.

Mamata Banerjee is among the 1,448 candidates in fray across 142 constituencies that are seeing voting in the final phase today. She is tied in an intense fight with the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.

The BJP looks to secure a mandate this time around after an improved tally of 77 seats in the last elections held in 2021.

Here are top developments since the final phase of voting began:

EVM tampering allegations: As candidates stepped out of their homes and took part in casting their votes this morning, some of them reported issues with the EVMs. BJP candidates in Sonarpur Dakshin and Panihati said there were some issues with the EVM buttons or machine at the booths. Later, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a clip, alleging attempts to cover the button to vote for the BJP with tape.

Voting delayed at some booths? Some booths in Bengal's Howrah and Baranagar saw chaos as voters alleged that the poll process began very late. The timing of the voting to begin was 7 am this morning. Angry voters claimed that there were “failed” attempts of voting due to a glitch with the EVMs.

RG Kar victim's mother alleges attack: The mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim has been fielded as a BJP candidate in Panihati. On Wednesday, she alleged being attacked by Trinamool workers. “TMC workers intensely targeted me earlier today. They sent goons who attacked me while shouting 'go back' slogans," she said.

Trinamool MP's big challenge to PM Modi: As voting began, Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien issued a challenge to PM Modi, asking he would “dare” to resign if the Mamata Banerjee-led party was reelected in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee's allegations against central forces: Banerjee, who is also in the fray in the final phase from Bhabanipur, visited the constituency this morning and levelled big allegations against the central forces. She accused central forces and election observers of acting at the BJP's behest and claimed TMC workers and leaders were being selectively targeted across districts.

Follow all the updates here:
Apr 29, 2026, 07:07:12 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: PM Modi urges record turnout as voting begins, appeals to women and youth

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged a record voter turnout appeal for Bengal right after voting for the remaining 142 seats began in the final phase.

“I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory. In particular, it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

Apr 29, 2026, 07:01:07 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Voting for final phase begins amid tight security

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Voting for the final phase has begun in West Bengal. Polling stations have been set up in Kolkata, Nandigram, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Burdwan, Nadia and others.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:57:45 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Record voter turnout in first phase, will history repeat in final phase?

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Over 92% voter turnout was seen in the first phase of elections on April 23, when 152 of the state’s 294 assembly constituencies went to polls in Bengal. It remains to be seen if a similar turnout will be registered in the second and final phase too.

“This (voter turnout) should be like the first phase. This is the Election Commission's duty, if they don't do it then it is their failure...,” said Noapara BJP candidate Arjun Singh on Wednesday.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:54:08 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: ISF President says viral video shows people in Bhangar being threatened to not vote

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: With the second phase of polling just minutes away from beginning, ISF President Nawsad Siddique alleged that a video is going viral, showing that in Bhangar, the Gram Panchayat chief has been threatening people not to vote.

“They won't be able to achieve anything by intimidating the people of Bhangar... Shaukat will defeat the TMC candidate and send him back home…,” the leader told ANI.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:48:11 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: When will voting begin for final phase?

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Voting for the second and final phase in West Bengal will begin shortly, at 7 am. The remaining 142 constituencies will go to polls today and chief minister Mamata Banerjee is among the candidates. Across eight districts, voting will be held in 41,001 polling stations.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:46:19 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Presiding officer in Purba Burdwan says mock polls are going well

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: A presiding officer at a polling station in Purba Burdwan said that mock polls were going well.

“Mock polls began on time and are going well... Nobody is facing any issues. Good security arrangements have been made...,” Presiding Officer Pratima Kaibarta told news agency ANI.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:40:17 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Plea seeks ‘urgent’ removal of IPS Ajay Pal Sharma as controversy heats up

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: A political controversy over the deployment of IPS Ajay Pal Sharma in Bengal took a legal turn on Tuesday as a plea filed in the Supreme Court sought his “urgent removal” as the election observer.

The petition, seen by HT, alleged that Sharma upon assuming his charge as the police observer “engaged in acts of intimidation, undue influence, and partisan conduct, including threats directed at political candidates”. Read full story here.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:37:44 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Mock polls conducted in South 24 Parganas, Durgapur, Purba Burdwan

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Ahead of voting for the final phase set to begin at 7 am, mock polls were conducted in Bengal's Purba Burdwan, Durgapur, Nadia, Ballygunge and South 24 Parganas, among others.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:34:25 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Queues form outside poll centres in Kolkata, South 24 Parganas

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: People of begun queuing up at polling stations in parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, ahead of voting for the final phase that is scheduled to begin at 7 am.

Apr 29, 2026, 06:21:45 IST

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Second and final phase polling today, Mamata Banerjee among candidates in fray

Bengal election 2026 LIVE: West Bengal votes in the second and final phase today, April 29, and chief minister Mamata Banerjee is among the 1,448 candidates in fray.

She is contesting the elections from the Bhabanipur seat, against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who is also contesting from Nandigram. Results for elections will be announced on May 4.

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