Voters in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal head to polling booths on Thursday (April 23) in one of the most closely watched electoral battles of the season, marked by intense campaigning, heightened security, and large-scale enforcement actions against electoral inducements.

Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase across all 234 Assembly seats, while West Bengal begins its multi-phase election with 152 constituencies voting in the first round, followed by the second phase on April 29.

The Election Commission has intensified surveillance across both states, with strict monitoring of cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements.

Large-scale movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and polling personnel under heavy security has been reported in Tamil Nadu, while West Bengal has seen a significant deployment of central forces.

The security presence has triggered political debate. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the deployment, saying, “are they trying to intimidate?” She also raised concerns over CRPF armoured vehicles being used during polling arrangements.

West Bengal

The West Bengal contest remains sharply polarised, with key attention on Nandigram, where BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari previously defeated Mamata Banerjee in a symbolic political setback.

Banerjee has since shifted her political base to Bhabanipur, while Adhikari continues to remain a central challenger in the state’s power struggle.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also facing criticism from within the INDIA bloc, with the Congress and Left parties taking opposing positions despite shared opposition space.

West Bengal Election – Key Facts

  • Total Assembly Seats in state: 294
  • Seats voting in Phase 1: 152
  • Remaining seats (Phase 2): 142 (April 29)
  • Total eligible voters (Phase 1): Over 3.22 crore

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, the election is primarily a direct contest between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led front.

Chief Minister MK Stalin is seeking a second term, while Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) aims to bring AIADMK back to power after five years in opposition.

The BJP is aligned with AIADMK, while Congress is supporting the DMK.

A major wildcard this election is actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has drawn large crowds across rallies.

However, TVK is contesting independently, and the key question remains whether his massive public appeal will translate into actual votes, an outcome that has historically challenged celebrity-led political movements in Tamil Nadu.

A tragic stampede during one of his public meetings in Karur has also added scrutiny to his campaign momentum.

Tamil Nadu Election – Key Facts

  • Total Assembly Seats: 234
  • Candidates in fray: 4,023
  • Total voters: Over 5.73 crore