NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on citizens to fulfil their “sacred duty of democracy” as voting began in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for high-stakes assembly elections.
In posts on X, the Prime Minister appealed especially to young voters and women to participate in large numbers. “As Tamil Nadu votes in the Assembly elections, I call upon all voters to take part enthusiastically in this sacred duty of democracy… I urge the youth and women in particular to come out and vote in record numbers,” he said.
In a separate message on West Bengal’s polling phase, he added, “I urge all citizens to participate in this festival of democracy with full strength. I especially appeal to my young friends and to the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers.”
Polling is underway for all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, while 152 seats are being contested in this phase in West Bengal. Both states have witnessed intense campaigning led by national and regional leaders.
The BJP campaign, spearheaded by Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has taken on regional heavyweights such as Mamata Banerjee and M. K. Stalin. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the campaign push.
Amit Shah struck an aggressive tone, claiming that in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Congress would “not even cross double digits.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has stepped up surveillance to curb electoral malpractices. Authorities have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements worth over ₹1,000 crore, with total recoveries reaching ₹1,072.13 crore since February 26.
More than 5.73 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Tamil Nadu, deciding the fate of over 4,000 candidates amid tight security arrangements.
In West Bengal, where elections are being held for 294 assembly seats in phases, 1,478 candidates are in the fray in the current phase. The contest is expected to be fierce, with the incumbent All India Trinamool Congress aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP seeks to convert its previous electoral gains into government formation.
