Slow Vote Counting in Bengal Assembly Elections; BJP Leads in Early Trends, Mamata Trails Behind in Babanipur

Kolkata: Vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections is progressing slowly. Even three hours after counting began, trends have been received for only 130 out of the total 294 constituencies.

According to the latest trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 179 constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, is ahead in 115 seats. In Domkal constituency, CPI(M) candidate Mustafizur Rahman is leading by 618 votes. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is also trailing behind her BJP rival Suvendu Adhikari in Babanipur

The state is witnessing a highly intense triangular contest among the Trinamool Congress, BJP, and the Left Front. While the Trinamool Congress is striving hard to retain power, the BJP is confident of forming the government. Meanwhile, the Left parties are putting up a strong fight with the slogan of “saving Bengal from corruption and communalism.” The large public participation during the campaign period has boosted the Left Front’s hopes.

Just before the counting began, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that CCTV cameras in the strong rooms had stopped functioning and that the power supply had been cut off. Counting is currently underway in 293 out of the 294 seats. Repolling will be held on the 21st of this month in the Falta constituency of South 24 Parganas district, where widespread violence was reported.

The overall voter turnout in the state has been recorded at 92.47%.