New Delhi, 21 April (H.S.):

Campaigning for West Bengal's first phase (152 seats) and Tamil Nadu's single-phase (234 seats) Assembly elections concluded Tuesday at 5 PM, ushering in the mandatory 48-hour 'silence period' ahead of April 23 voting.

Election Commission rules prohibit rallies, TV ads, print campaigns, and social media promotion during this phase, ensuring voters decide freely without pressure. Violations invite strict penalties.

Tamil Nadu: DMK vs AIADMK, TVK Triangle Emerges

4,023 candidates contest Tamil Nadu's 234 seats, pitting DMK-led alliance against AIADMK-led bloc. Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) creates triangular contests across multiple seats.

West Bengal Phase 1: 152 Seats, 3.6 Crore Voters

West Bengal's first phase covers 16 districts: Murshidabad (22), Cooch Behar (9), Jalpaiguri (7), Alipurduars (5), Kalimpong (1), Darjeeling (5), Uttar Dinajpur (9), Dakshin Dinajpur (6), Malda (12), Birbhum (11), Paschim Bardhaman (9), Purba Medinipur (16), Paschim Medinipur (15), Jhargram (4), Purulia (9), Bankura (12).

1,478 candidates face 3.60 crore voters (1.85 crore men, 1.76 crore women, 465 transgenders). CM Mamata Banerjee contests Bhabanipur against BJP.

West Bengal's 294-seat Assembly polls span two phases (April 23: 152 seats; April 29: 142 seats). Tamil Nadu votes all seats April 23. Counting: May 4.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar