Kolkata, 23 April (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reacted to the massive voter turnout in the first phase of the 2026 Assembly elections, linking the high participation to what she described as a struggle to protect people’s rights, identity and future.

With polling touching nearly 90 percent by 5 PM, Banerjee said the people of Bengal had come out in large numbers because they understood that the election was not merely a political contest, but a battle to safeguard democratic and constitutional rights.

Addressing a campaign rally in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Nayana Bandyopadhyay in the Chowringhee area, the Chief Minister claimed that a large number of voter names had earlier been removed from electoral rolls and that lakhs of those names were restored only after a legal fight.

She said people were aware that failure to defend their rights could put their property, identity, address and livelihoods at risk. According to Banerjee, this was the key reason behind the enthusiastic turnout witnessed across the state.

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, she alleged that attempts could be made in the future to alter political equations through measures such as the National Register of Citizens and delimitation. She said voters in Bengal were conscious of these issues and had responded through strong electoral participation.

Banerjee also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign remarks, saying no political party should claim victory on polling day, as the final mandate belongs to the people. She asserted that election results are determined by voters, not by political declarations.

The Chief Minister said the people of Bengal were alert and were using the ballot to resist any attempt to weaken democracy. She described the record turnout as proof of the state's political awareness and democratic commitment.

The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections witnessed heavy polling, with political parties now interpreting the high turnout in different ways as the state moves toward the next phases of voting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh