Kolkata, April 23 -- As polling for the first phase of the two-phased West Bengal elections concluded with a record 92.35% turnout on Thursday, the arch rivals - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) - are now gearing up for the next phase of voting for the remaining 142 seats, which will go to polls on April 29.

During their rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah echoed that the BJP would secure its first victory in the eastern state with an absolute majority.

Addressing the day's first rally in Nadia district, PM Modi said, "As far as I know, the polling rate is surpassing all records. Fear (among voters) is stepping back and confidence is marching ahead. All are saying chan...