KOLKATA, April 23 -- Voting is underway in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday, marking the beginning of a high-stakes electoral battle conducted under unprecedented security arrangements.

Polling began at 7 am across districts ranging from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north to Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly in the south. Voters were seen queuing up outside booths as the process got underway, officials said.

The opening phase covers more than half of the state's 294 assembly seats and is being seen as crucial for both the BJP, which aims for an early breakthrough, and the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ...