West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed confidence that her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will emerge victorious in the assembly elections by securing more than 200 seats in the state. Addressing counting agents via video conferencing, she dismissed exit poll projections and described them as an attempt to manipulate the stock market.
Banerjee Rejects Exit Polls
We are winning and winning by 200+ seats. Exit polls are nothing but an attempt to manipulate the stock market. They did it in 2021, 2024, and now, Banerjee said during her address.
She further accused the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of committing brutality against TMC workers and affirmed that those affected would be rewarded by the party. The party will reward those who faced the brutality of the CAPF in the coming days, she added.
Repolling Underway
Her remarks come amid ongoing repolling across two constituencies in South 24 Parganas district. This follows allegations by BJP leader Amit Malviya that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the assembly elections in the state.
The repolling, conducted under tight security arrangements, has witnessed significant voter participation. According to officials, turnout across 11 polling booths in Magrahat Paschim Assembly reached 72.5 per cent, while four booths in Diamond Harbour recorded 72.36 per cent, taking the combined turnout to 72.43 per cent until 3 PM on Saturday.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed near polling booths to prevent any disruptions, while micro-observers are maintaining close surveillance. Monitoring of the process is also being carried out from the Kolkata Election Commission office to ensure transparency and adherence to guidelines.
Electoral Contest
Meanwhile, exit poll projections have suggested an intense electoral contest in West Bengal, with several agencies projecting an advantage for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), even as others indicate a tighter race. The West Bengal assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The results of the high-stakes election will be declared on May 4.
