GUWAHATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged further ahead in the West Bengal Assembly election counting on Monday, May 4, with trends as of 12:51 pm showing the party leading in 182 constituencies out of 278. The BJP has decisively crossed the majority mark of 148, placing it firmly on course for a historic electoral victory in the State.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is trailing with leads in 91 seats, indicating a significant shift in the State’s political landscape if current trends continue. Smaller parties remain marginal, with the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and All India Secular Front (AISF) leading in two seats each, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is ahead in one seat.
Party-wise trends show BJP leading in 182 seats, TMC in 91, AJUP in 2, AISF in 2, and CPI(M) in 1, out of a total of 278 constituencies.
In the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency (Assembly Constituency 159), counting has reached Round 6 of 20, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee maintaining a commanding lead. Banerjee has secured 30,548 votes, leading by a margin of 19,393 votes over BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari, who has polled 11,155 votes. CPI(M) candidate Shrijeeb Biswas is trailing with 411 votes.
Banerjee, who has been Chief Minister since May 2011, is the founder and president of the Trinamool Congress and remains central to the party’s campaign.
Counting is underway for 293 constituencies following polling held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with repolling conducted in select booths. The Election Commission of India has deployed additional observers to ensure a smooth, transparent and secure counting process.
Separately, the poll panel has ordered fresh voting in the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district. Repolling will be conducted across all polling stations on May 21, with counting scheduled for May 24.
The election outcome will determine whether Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth consecutive term or whether the BJP succeeds in forming its first government in West Bengal.