Bengal polls: Narendra Modi urges people to vote in large numbers

He urged people to be a part of this festival of democracy.

"Requesting all voters voting in the 5th phase of West Bengal polls today to vote in large numbers & be a part of this festival of democracy," Modi tweeted.
Amid tight security, polling began in the fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls on Saturday.

Voting began at 7 am across 53 constituencies of South 24 Parganas, Kolkata south and Hooghly districts.

Over 1.2 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise  at  more than 14,500 booths in the three districts of the state.

The total number of voters in 31 constituencies of South 24 Parganas district is approximately 72 lakhs, while that in 18 constituencies of Hoogly district is about 43 lakhs. The total number of voters in 4 constituencies of Kolkata Dakshin is 9 lakhs approximately.

Forty-three women out of 349 candidates are in the fray for phase 5 election to 53 Assembly Constituencies in three districts of West Bengal which witnessed a massive change in the political scenario last time in 2011 when Mamata Banerjee and her TMC came to power by removing the Left Front government. The Left-Front ruled the state for 34 years.

They are contesting from 29 constituencies.

There are 26 female candidates in South 24 Parganas, 9 in Kolkata Dakshin and 8 in Hoogly district.

The main contest in the three districts are between the ruling  Trinamool Congress, Left-Front- Congress alliance and the BJP.

Fates of several important candidates, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will be decided by voters across three districts of the politically crucial state.