New Delhi, April 23 -- Voting in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections began on Thursday.

More than 3.22 crore voters are eligible to participate, marking the start of a crucial face-off between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a reinvigorated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised voters to cast their votes early, ideally before 11 a.m., to avoid peak heat between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth straight term in office, while the BJP, after winning 77 seats in the last election, is making another strong bid to form the state government.

The first phase assumes political significance because it includes all 5...