NEW DELHI: The high-stakes contest in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency culminated in a historic mandate favoring Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of 15,105 votes. This outcome marks a significant shift in West Bengal's political landscape, reflecting the broader trend where the BJP has dismantled the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after 15 years of governance.
Electoral Trends and Key Moments
In what was the second electoral battle between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari, the vote counting process witnessed dramatic fluctuations. Initially, Adhikari held a slender lead, which Banerjee overtook after the eighth round, establishing a margin of 15,000 votes. However, as counting progressed, the gap narrowed considerably. By the 16th round, Adhikari had regained the lead with a margin of approximately 500 votes. The turning point came after the 16th round when Adhikari's lead expanded to over 6,000 votes, and by the 18th round, it crossed the 10,000-vote mark. In the final 20th round, Adhikari emerged victorious, defeating Banerjee decisively.
Tense Atmosphere at Counting Center
The Bhabanipur constituency remained on edge throughout the day, with both leaders arriving at the counting center amid palpable tension. Banerjee reached the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School on Lord Sinha Road in the afternoon, accompanied by allegations from the TMC that one of their counting agents had been forcibly removed from the venue. Adhikari was already present inside the counting center, adding to the charged atmosphere as the margin tightened.
Mamata Banerjee's Reaction and Allegations
Emerging from the counting center, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the electoral process, questioning its credibility. She alleged, “Do you think this is a victory? It is an immoral victory. More than 100 seats have been looted. The Election Commission is the BJP’s commission.” Claiming widespread irregularities, she stated, “It is loot, loot, loot. We will bounce back.” Banerjee further alleged that she was “pushed and berated” inside the counting center and that her complaints to officials, including the Chief Electoral Officer, had been ignored.
The tension escalated as Banerjee exited the venue, where she was met by crowds of BJP supporters chanting “Ghotalabaaz Mamata dur hato” (Corrupt Mamata, go away), signaling strong anti-incumbency sentiment after 15 years of TMC rule.
Historical Context of Bhabanipur
Bhabanipur has long been considered a stronghold for Mamata Banerjee. She has represented the seat as an MLA since 2011 and had never lost an election there. After becoming chief minister in 2011, she secured a decisive bypoll victory from Bhabanipur by 54,213 votes. In 2016, her margin narrowed to 25,301 votes against Congress candidate Deepa Dasmunshi, backed by the Left, while the BJP secured 26,299 votes. In 2021, TMC retained Bhabanipur with Sovandeb Chattopadhyay defeating BJP’s Rudranil Ghosh by 28,719 votes, though the BJP’s vote share rose to 35.2%, signaling a growing presence. Banerjee later returned to contest the Bhabanipur bypoll, winning by 58,835 votes and securing her third term as CM.
Round Two: Suvendu vs Mamata
This election marked the second direct confrontation between Banerjee and Adhikari. In 2021, Banerjee had contested against Adhikari in his home turf, Nandigram, where she lost by 1,956 votes. This time, Adhikari took on Banerjee in her own constituency, Bhabanipur, and emerged victorious, solidifying his position as a key BJP leader in the state.
Broader Implications for West Bengal
The defeat of Mamata Banerjee in her home constituency resonates with the larger West Bengal verdict, where the BJP has successfully ended the TMC’s 15-year rule. The BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 293 out of 294 seats, with a majority of 148. In contrast, the TMC failed to open its account, while the Congress, CPI(M), and other parties also drew blanks. This outcome reflects a significant political realignment in the state, with the BJP emerging as the dominant force.
State-Wise Results Overview
In Tamil Nadu, Vijay’s TVK party emerged as a formidable force, pushing the DMK and AIADMK to the margins. In Kerala, the UDF won all 140 seats, with the Congress leading the alliance. In Assam, the BJP retained power, winning all 126 seats. In Puducherry, the AINRC led with 16 seats out of 30.
