Dhaka, April 23 -- After weeks of campaigning, the first phase of voting is under way in the assembly elections in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Voting began at 7am local time on Thursday for 152 seats in 16 districts. Polls will close at 6pm.

The major contenders in the state are the Trinamool Congress, the incumbent party in the state, and the BJP, which is India's ruling party.

Indian media have referred to it as a "desperate fight in the midst of a political storm" over the revision of the voter list.

The Election Commission has taken strict security measures for the elections. Many are calling the intensity of the measures "war preparations".

Assembly elections are also being held in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ...