BJP Calls for Three-Phase Bengal Polls, Raises Concerns Over Security

Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, a BJP delegation on Monday (March 9) met the full bench of the Election Commission of India and urged that the polling be completed in a maximum of three phases. The party also asked the Commission to ensure a peaceful and intimidation-free election in the state. During the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the BJP submitted a 16-point list outlining its concerns about the election environment.

Party representatives expressed dissatisfaction over the deployment of around 400 companies of central forces in the state, alleging that their movement and operations are being controlled by the state police in a way that does not reassure voters. BJP leaders Jagannath Chattopadhyay and Shishir Bajoria claimed that route marches were being organised mostly in calm areas rather than sensitive locations. The party also asked the Commission to shorten the overall election process and suggested that polling booths recording more than 85% turnout or those with a past record of violence should automatically be treated as sensitive and given stronger security arrangements.