West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to remain at counting centres until the final result is declared, as early trends showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking a lead in the state assembly elections.
Mamata's Appeal to Party Workers
In a statement issued from the state secretariat, Banerjee said, 'No candidate and counting agent should leave the centre. Stay vigilant and ensure every vote is counted properly.' She also instructed party representatives to verify each round of counting and report any discrepancies immediately.
The Chief Minister's remarks came as trends indicated that the BJP had crossed the majority mark of 148 in the 294-member assembly, pointing towards a possible shift in power in the state. The BJP was leading in over 150 seats, while the TMC was ahead in around 120 seats, as per the Election Commission's early trends.
Political Implications
If the BJP manages to secure a majority, it would be a historic victory in West Bengal, a state that has been under TMC rule since 2011. The BJP's campaign focused on issues of corruption, law and order, and development, while the TMC highlighted its welfare schemes and grassroots connect.
Banerjee, who has been the Chief Minister for three consecutive terms, expressed confidence that the TMC would emerge victorious once again. 'The people of Bengal know who has worked for them. We respect the mandate of the people, but we must ensure a fair counting process,' she added.
Counting of votes for all 294 assembly constituencies began at 8 AM on Tuesday, with over 75% voter turnout recorded in the elections held in multiple phases. The final results are expected later in the day.
