Bengal Assembly Election 2026: An interesting trend is emerging in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026. A large number of migrant laborers are returning to their home districts to cast their votes. According to ground reports, workers working outside different parts of the state are now returning to take part in the voting.
Migrant laborers returning to Bengal to vote
A large number of people from districts like Malda, Murshidabad, North and South Dinajpur of West Bengal go to other states for employment. Their return at the time of elections is not new, but this time their numbers and organized return have attracted the attention of political parties. Just before the first phase of voting, a large number of migrants are returning home ahead of voting on 152 seats in 16 districts. Trains from many states including Delhi, Bihar, Sikkim are reaching Siliguri. From there people are going to different districts of North Bengal by buses.
Political rhetoric on this issue has also intensified. BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya said, “71 trains are coming. Migrant laborers are reaching Kolkata by boarding them… everyone is coming.”
Are they migrant laborers or voters from other states?
While BJP is excited about this comeback, senior Trinamool Congress leader Arup Roy raised questions on it. He said, ‘Are these migrant laborers or voters from other states?’
The same picture was seen a few months ago during the Bihar Assembly elections. Migrant workers working in different parts of the country were returning in trains full of laborers. As soon as the voting was over, he again left for work. Now the same pattern is visible in West Bengal also.
Railway sources claim that the central government has arranged for special trains to bring migrant laborers home before the elections. These trains are being run as ‘Summer Special’. Most of the people returning say that they have come only to vote and after casting their vote they will return to their work.
Workers’ resentment for employment opportunities
However, many migrant laborers have also expressed their displeasure over the lack of employment opportunities in the state. They say that due to lack of work they have to go out, but at the time of voting they definitely return to exercise their right.
West Bengal Assembly elections are being conducted in two phases. The first phase will be held on April 23, in which voting will be held on 152 seats in 16 districts. The second phase is scheduled for April 29, when voting will be held on 142 seats in the remaining 7 districts.
There are a total of 294 assembly seats in the state and the counting of votes will take place on May 4. The Election Commission has made extensive deployment of central forces across the state to ensure free and fair voting. Along with this, strict code of conduct and security related rules have been implemented, so that the election process can be completed in a peaceful and transparent manner.
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