Congress MP Rajeev Shukla has praised the historic voter turnout of 91.91 per cent in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections, stating that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is claiming victory with a “vast majority.”
Voting for the Bengal Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher turnout compared to Tamil Nadu’s 84.80 per cent in the same phase.
Speaking on Thursday, Shukla said, “It’s surprising and a very good thing that so many people have participated in the voting. Mamata Banerjee is claiming that she is winning with a vast majority. Everyone has their own claims. But such high voter turnout is very important.”
The high turnout reflects a robust democratic process, as polling ended amid stringent security measures across constituencies in the state.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar commended the voters of both states, saying, “Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence, ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.”
Several districts in West Bengal recorded turnout figures above 90 per cent. Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54 per cent, Birbhum at 93.70 per cent, Jalpaiguri at 93.23 per cent and Murshidabad at 92.93 per cent. The figures indicate consistently high participation across regions.
In comparison, the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections recorded an 85.2 per cent turnout, while Tamil Nadu saw 76.6 per cent. These numbers highlight overwhelming voter engagement across districts.
Regarding the Election Commission of India’s notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his “terrorist” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shukla stated, “The Election Commission has crossed all the limits… If Mallikarjun Kharge says anything, he is sent a notice immediately… Election Commission is completely with the BJP…”
Meanwhile, voting for 152 constituencies in West Bengal concluded peacefully on Thursday under tight security. Polling for the remaining 142 constituencies is scheduled for May 29, with vote counting set for May 4.
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