India, April 24 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated the people of West Bengal for their massive turnout in the ongoing first phase of assembly elections, and called the vote figures so far indicative of an "overwhelming mandate for change".

Addressing a poll rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, Modi also congratulated the Election Commission for keeping "violence during the assembly polls in the State at a minimum".

"This is the first time in the last 50 years of poll history in Bengal that incidents of violence were kept at a minimum. The information I have received so far about the record-breaking turnout makes me certain that this is going to be an overwhelming mandate in favour of a change which Bengal's vo...