India’s Bharatiya Janata Party has said it is aiming for a decisive victory in West Bengal, as counting begins in a closely watched political contest with the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.
Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP’s state president, said the party was confident of a landslide win and not merely forming a government. “People of the state have already rejected the Trinamool Congress government, and, in a few hours, the overwhelming majority of the seats will confirm that. In the fight between Mamata Banerjee and the people, the people have rejected Mamata Banerjee,” he said outside a counting centre in Kolkata, according to Press Trust of India.
The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office. The BJP, by contrast, is attempting to form its first government in the state.
Ahead of counting, Mamata Banerjee urged party workers and polling agents to remain vigilant. She alleged irregularities, including power outages and suspicious activity near strong rooms where voting machines were stored.
In a post on X, she said reports had come from districts including Hooghly, Nadia, Burdwan and parts of Kolkata. “Be vigilant. Keep watch. Stay awake at night. File complaints. I'm receiving reports from various places that load-shedding is being deliberately imposed. From Hooghly's Serampore, Nadia's Krishnanagar, to Burdwan's Ausgram, and Kolkata's Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra, such incidents have come to light where load-shedding is being done in phases, CCTV is being turned off, and vehicles are moving in and out of strong rooms,” she said.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal and a BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, visited the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Bhabanipur to offer prayers before counting began. “I offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. God is with us. A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming,” he told ANI.
Responding to remarks by Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on the possibility of repolling in the Falta constituency, Adhikari criticised the statement. “This shows his ego. This won't work. Democracy wins every time in the country, ultimately. Similar conditions existed in Uttar Pradesh. Jungle Raj ended there long ago after the BJP came to power. Twenty years ago, Bihar also experienced a massive jungle raj. The people ended that too,” he said.
The outcome of the election is expected to shape the political landscape of West Bengal, with both parties projecting confidence as counting proceeds.
