Voting began on Wednesday in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements and a high-stakes contest that could decide whether the ruling TMC retains its dominance over southern districts or the BJP can force open the gates of power in the state. Pics/PTI

Former Maharashtra Minister and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Vinayakrao Patil has quit the party and joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Pics/Eknath Shinde's office