NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged voters to take part in the “sacred duty of democracy” as voting began for the high-stakes electoral battle in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.In social media posts on X, the Prime Minister asked young voters and women to vote 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 the women of Tamil Nadu in particular to come out and vote in record numbers,” PM Modi said. “Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections takes place today. 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,” PM Modi said in another post. Voting began for high-stakes polls in Tamil Nadu for all 234 seats, while West Bengal is voting for 152 seats in this phase.Both poll-bound states, governed by regional heavyweights, have witnessed an intense, high-decibel campaign.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brigade, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has pushed hard to challenge Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin, while Rahul Gandhi and other leaders added to the campaign blitz. Amit Shah struck an aggressive note, saying, “In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Congress will not even cross double digits.”Even as political rhetoric peaked, the Election Commission tightened its vigil. Cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements worth over Rs 1,000 crore have been seized across both states, with total recoveries touching Rs 1,072.13 crore since February 26.Over 5.73 crore voters are set to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 23, with tight security in place and a sweeping crackdown on inducements by the Election Commission of India.In West Bengal, parties are contesting for 294 Assembly seats. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. There are a total of 1,478 candidates in the fray in this phase.The state is set to witness a high-voltage contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, which is aiming to form the government after a strong showing in the previous elections.
