Bengal Election: Torture of heat in the first phase, voting on 152 seats amid heat wave, will Muslim voters turn the tables?

News India Live, Digital Desk: The first phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 started today amid heavy commotion and scorching heat. Long queues of voters were seen in 152 assembly seats from North Bengal to Jangalmahal since 7 am. However, fire raining from the sky and mercury reaching 42-44 degrees has increased the concern of the Election Commission and political parties. Meanwhile, there are reports of heavy voting in Muslim dominated areas, due to which a round of speculations has started in the political circles. Fire from the sky, queues at the booth: Heat increased the test. The Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave alert in many districts of Bengal. Despite this, there was no lack of enthusiasm among the voters. Around 41.11% voting was recorded till 11 am. In view of the scorching heat, the Election Commission has made special arrangements for water, ORS and shade at the polling stations. The Health Department has advised the elderly and children not to leave the house between 12 noon and 4 pm, which may affect the voting percentage in the afternoon. Muslim Voters’ Trend: TMC or Congress-Left Alliance? In the first phase, districts like Malda and Murshidabad have a large population of Muslim voters. According to ground reports, record breaking voting is taking place in minority areas since morning. Political analysts believe that if there is dispersion of Muslim votes, BJP can directly benefit from it. At the same time, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) hopes that women and minority voters will stand strongly with them on the basis of ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ and other welfare schemes. ‘Raar’ over deletion of names from voter list, SIR increases tension. The biggest issue in this election remains SIR (Special Intensive Revision), under which names of lakhs of voters have been removed from the list. Opposition parties, especially TMC, have alleged that minority and Dalit voters have been targeted as part of a special strategy. A lot of anger is being seen regarding this in districts like Murshidabad and Malda, which can directly affect the election results. Shah vs Mamata: Battle of credibility. Out of these 152 seats in the first phase, in 2021, BJP had won 59 and TMC had won 93 seats. This time, BJP is trying to save its stronghold of North Bengal as well as to make a dent in South Bengal. At the same time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is making full efforts for her fourth innings. After this voting which will be held till 6 pm, it will be decided whether the people of Bengal have chosen ‘hat-trick’ or ‘change’.