The eighth and final phase of polling in West Bengal is underway. The fate of 283 candidates will be sealed as 35 assembly constituencies go to the polls in the final phase.
Security measures have been tightened up in view of the violence in the earlier phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling
Both Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting on all 35 seats. The BJP is targeting the incumbent TMC over extortion, syndicate raj, and appeasement politics. Plus, anti-incumbency can also be felt against the ruling TMC government in the state.
However, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is depending upon its welfare schemes like “Duare Sarkar”, “Swastho Sathi” and “Kanyashree”.
The first round of polling in the state had taken place on March 27, followed by subsequent phases on April 1, 6, 10, 12, 22 and 26 respectively. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.