<p>Counting of votes in West Bengal is underway since 8 am on Monday (May 4). The elections were held oin two phases on April 23 and April 29. The state is currently governed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. This election has evolved into a two-way contest with BJP putting its entire machinery in Bengal to campaign for a change. Weighing on welfare schemes and Bengaliri origins, Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. Her TMC came to power in the state for the first time in 2011. Trends for all 294 seats are in.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>What is West Bengal election result as per ECI?</strong></h2><p>According to the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) 9.30pm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerges as the leading party with 176 seats won and 32 leading, taking its total to 208 seats, securing a clear dominant position. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) follows as the second-largest party with 59 won and 20 leading (79 total), marking a significant gap from the BJP but still retaining a strong presence. The Indian National Congress (INC) holds 2 seats, while Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) also has 2 seats. The CPI(M) and All India Secular Front (AISF) each secure 1 seat, indicating a very limited footprint.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-election-results-2026-winners-who-won-who-lost-full-list-of-constituency-wise-results-1777871942459"><strong>Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026 Winners: Who won, who lost - Key seats, top faces and FULL LIST of constituency-wise results</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Nandigram: Suvendu Adhikari WON (EC yet to declare)</strong></h2><p>In Nandigram, the spotlight was on BJP's main face in Bengal - Suvendu Adhikari - who is facing Pabitra Kar of the TMC. Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, has since become one of her fiercest rivals. He is contesting again from Nandigram, a seat he famously won in 2021 by defeating Banerjee. Nandigram holds deep political significance for Banerjee, as it was the epicentre of the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement that propelled her and the TMC to power in West Bengal. She was defeated here in 2021.</p><h2><strong>Bhabanipur: Mamata Banerjee LOST</strong></h2><p>In Bhabanipur, the spotlight is firmly on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is locked in a high-stakes contest against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in the 2021 Assembly polls. Banerjee later reclaimed her position through a record win in the Bhabanipur bypoll. Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, is also contesting from Nandigram against TMC's Pabitra Kar. Mamata Banerjee is LEADING</p><h2><strong>Baharampur: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury LOST</strong></h2><p>In Baharampur, a high-profile contest is unfolding between Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Subrata Maitra. A veteran leader of the Indian National Congress, Chowdhury is a five-time MP from Baharampur and has served as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He is now contesting the assembly election after his defeat in the 2024 parliamentary polls. Facing him is Maitra of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the sitting MLA.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tmc-bjp-make-west-bengal-election-campaign-a-fishy-affair-voters-get-taste-of-jhalmuri-in-revri-promises-1776855276091"><strong>TMC, BJP make West Bengal Election campaign a 'fishy' affair: Phase 1 ends with a bit of 'jhalmuri', Phase 2 relies on 'revri'</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Asansol Dakshin: Agnimitra Paul WON</strong></h2><p>Agnimitra Paul, a prominent BJP face in the state, returns to defend her position after her 2021 win. She is challenged by TMC’s Tapas Banerjee, a seasoned politician who previously held the seat for a decade. Agnimitra Paul is LEADING</p><h2><strong>Kharagpur Sadar: Dilip Ghosh WON</strong></h2><p>In Kharagpur Sadar, the contest brings together two strong political figures: Dilip Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Pradip Sarkar of the All India Trinamool Congress.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Mathabhanga: Nisith Pramanik &nbsp;WON</strong></h2><p>In Mathabhanga (SC), the contest features a high-profile face-off between Nisith Pramanik of the BJP and Sablu Barman of the TMC.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Domkal: Former IPS officer Humayun Kabir LOST</strong></h2><p>Former IPS officer Humayun Kabir, once known for his tough policing and crackdown on organised crime, is contesting from Domkal in Murshidabad district.</p><p>Kabir, a 2003-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, had earned a reputation of taking on hardened criminals, including the arrest of notorious gangster “Hathkata Dilip.” Now re-entering the electoral fray, he has been fielded by TMC from Domkal instead of Debra, where he had previously contested. He is up against Mostafijur Rahaman of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).</p><h2>Rejinagar and Nowda: Humayun Kabir WON</h2><p>Humayun Kabir, a former TMC MLA from Bharatpur who was expelled from the party in December 2025 following controversies surrounding the proposed construction of a Babri Masjid replica, is contesting from Rejinagar and Naoda (Nowda) in Murshidabad district. A former TMC minister, now contesting under his own banner, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, after his expulsion from the TMC. He is up against Ataur Rahaman of TMC.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Maldaha (SC): Gopal Chandra Saha WON</strong></h2><p>The Maldaha (SC) seat is witnessing a keen contest between Lipika Barman Ghosh of the TMC and Gopal Chandra Saha of the BJP. The constituency holds strategic importance within the SC/ST belt of Malda district, where electoral dynamics have been evolving rapidly.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Raiganj: Kaushik Choudhury WON</strong></h2><p>TMC's Krishna Kalyani, who had earlier won the seat on a BJP ticket in 2024 before switching sides, is now contesting against BJP’s Kaushik Choudhury.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Kolkata Port: Firhad Hakim WON</strong></h2><p>In Kolkata Port, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim is up against BJP candidate Rakesh Singh. While Hakim had held the seat since 2011, Rakesh Singh is a turncoat who has now switched sides to BJP. A minority-dominated constituency in central Kolkata, the seat is crucial for the TMC to maintain its urban stronghold, while the BJP is aiming to make deeper inroads into the city’s electoral landscape. Firhad Hakim is TRAILING</p><h2>Panihati: Ratna Debnath WON&nbsp;</h2><p>One of the most closely watched seat is Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district where BJP has fielded Ratna Debnath, the mother of trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in 2024. Panihati has long been a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress and this time the party has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, while CPM's candidate Kalatan Dasgupta is also in fray.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Hingalganj: Rekha Patra WON</strong></h2><p>Hingalganj has emerged as a politically sensitive seat with BJP fielding Rekha Patra, who gained prominence as the face of Sandeshkhali protests. She was fielded by the BJP as their candidate for the Basirhat constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but she lost. This time she is up against , Ananda Sarkar of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). TMC's Debes Mondal is the sitting MLA.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Karimpur: Soham Chakraborty LOST</strong></h2><p>Actor-turned-politician Soham Chakraborty is contesting from Karimpur in Nadia district on a TMC ticket. His presence adds star appeal to the contest. He won the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021 from East Midnapore's Chandipur but has shifted his base in this year's polls. BJP's Samarendranath Ghosh in in fray from this constituency.</p><h2><strong>Dum Dum Uttar: Chandrima Bhattacharya LOST</strong></h2><p>In Dum Dum Uttar, senior TMC leader and minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is contesting, making it a key seat for the ruling party. Given its urban voter base, the constituency is expected to reflect broader trends in metropolitan political preferences. Bhattacharya is pitted against Saurav Sikdar, the nephew of senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Tapan Sikdar, and CPM leader Dipsita Dhar. This makes the seat a high-profile one. Chandrima Bhattacharya is TRAILING</p><h2><strong>Bidhannagar: Sujit Bose LOST</strong></h2><p>Sujit Bose is contesting from Bidhannagar, on TMC's ticket and he is pitted against BJP's newbie Sharadwat Mukherjee. He is the sitting MLA and in West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021, he defeated BJP's Sabyasachi Dutta. Sujit Bose is TRAILING</p><h2>Baranagar: Sayantika Banerjee LOST</h2><p>Actress Sayantika Banerjee is contesting from the Baranagar constituency in North 24 Parganas. Banerjee joined All India Trinamool Congress, ahead of Assembly elections 2021 in West Bengal. She contested the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from Bankura constituency, which she lost.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Kamarhati: Madan Mitra WON</strong></h2><p>Veteran TMC leader Madan Mitra is once again in the fray from Kamarhati. Mitra remains a key figure in the constituency, making it a stronghold to watch. Mitra currently serving as the MLA for the Kamarhati constituency. He faces strong competition from Arup Choudhury Pulak from BJP, Manash Mukherjee from CPM and Kallol Mukherjee from Congress. Madan Mitra is LEADING</p><h2><strong>Barrackpore: Raj Chakraborty LOST</strong></h2><p>In Barrackpore, filmmaker-turned-politician Raj Chakraborty is contesting on a TMC ticket and is facing advocate and BJP candidate Kaustav Bagchi in North 24 Parganas' Barrackpore. Bagchi has publicly challenged Chakraborty to win by a margin of 50,000 votes. In the 2021 election, Chakraborty defeated BJP's Chandramani Shukla. &nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Sonarpur Dakshin: Roopa Ganguly WON</strong></h2><p>Veteran actress and BJP leader Roopa Ganguly is contesting from Shonarpur Dakshin against Congress candidate Lovely Maitra in a high-profile contest. Best known for her portrayal of Draupadi in the TV series Mahabharat, Ganguly brings name recognition to the BJP’s campaign, while Maitra is well-known Bengali television actress.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Uluberia Purba: Ritabrata Banerjee WON</strong></h2><p>TMC candidate Ritabrata Banerjee is contesting from Uluberia Purba. Banerjee,aprominentstudent leaderwasexpelled from CPMin 2017.He joined the Trinamool in 2018 and in 2024, the Trinamool sent Banerjee to Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p><h2>Maniktala: Shreya Pandey LOST</h2><p>Television actress Shreya Pandey is the candidate from the Maniktala constituency in Kolkata. Pandey is contesting on a TMC ticket. Shreya's parents, Supti Pandey and the late Sadhan Pande were also prominent TMC leaders. Sadhan Pande also served as a state minister for the West Bengal Government in 2011.&nbsp;</p><h2>Rajarhat Gopalpur: Aditi Munshi LOST</h2><p>TMC has also tapped popular musicians. Renowned kirtan artist Aditi Munshi has filed for a Trinamool ticket from the Gopalpur constituency in Rajarhat adjacent to Salt Lake. BJP’s Tarunjyoti Tewari is up against Munshi.&nbsp;</p><h2>Chandannagar: Indranil Sen TRAILING</h2><p>Singer Indranil Sen is contesting on a TMC ticket from Chandannagar. Deepanjan Kumar Guha is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.&nbsp;</p><h2>Shyampur: Hiran Chatterjee WON</h2><p>Controversial actor turned politician Hiran Chatterjee has been given a BJP ticket for Shyampur in Howrah. Chatterjee, a sitting MLA, had to vacate the Kharagpur Sadar seat for BJP heavyweight Dilip Ghosh earlier. Chatterjee was recently in the news for marrying model Ritika Giri in a ceremony held in Varanasi. Chatterjee's first wife, Anindita Chatterjee, publicly questioned the second marriage, stating that they were neither divorced nor legally separated and calling the union “illegal.”&nbsp;</p><h3>BJP Wins (119 seats listed)</h3><p>Mekliganj(1) — Dadhiram Ray<br>Mathabhanga(2) — Nishith Pramanik<br>Dinhata(7) — Ajay Ray<br>Dhupguri(15) — Naresh Roy<br>Rajganj(18) — Dinesh Sarkar<br>Dabgram-Fulbari(19) — Sikha Chatterjee<br>Kalimpong(22) — Bharat Kumar Chetri<br>Darjeeling(23) — Noman Rai<br>Kurseong(24) — Sonam Lama<br>Matigara-Naxalbari(25) — Anandamay Barman<br>Phansidewa(27) — Durga Murmu<br>Karandighi(32) — Biraj Biswas<br>Hematabad(33) — Haripada Barman<br>Kaliaganj(34) — Utpal Brahmacharo<br>Raiganj(35) — Koushik Chowdhury<br>Balurghat(39) — Bidyut Kumar Roy<br>Tapan(40) — Budhrai Tudu<br>Gangarampur(41) — Satyendra Nath Roy<br>Habibpur(43) — Joyel Murmu<br>Manikchak(49) — Gaur Chandra Mandal<br>Malda(50) — Gopal Chandra Saha<br>Murshidabad(64) — Gouri Sankar Ghosh<br>Nabagram(65) — Dilip Saha<br>Burwan(67) — Sukhen Kumar Bagdi<br>Kandi(68) — Gargi Das Ghosh<br>Beldanga(71) — Bharat Kumar Jhawar<br>Baharampur(72) — Subrata Maitra (Kanchan)<br>Nakashipara(81) — Santanu Dey<br>Krishnanagar Uttar(83) — Tarak Nath Chatterjee<br>Krishnanagar Dakshin(85) — Sadhan Ghosh<br>Krishnaganj(88) — Sukanta Biswas<br>Ranaghat Dakshin(90) — Ashim Kumar Biswas<br>Gaighata(97) — Subrata Thakur<br>Habra(100) — Debdas Mondal<br>Ashoknagar(101) — Dr. Sumay Hira<br>Bijpur(103) — Sudipta Das<br>Naihati(104) — Sumitro Chatterjee<br>Bhatpara(105) — Pawan Kumar Singh<br>Khardaha(109) — Kalyan Chakraborti<br>Baranagar(113) — Sajal Ghosh<br>Sandeshkhali(123) — Sanat Sardar<br>Hingalganj(126) — Rekha Patra<br>Gosaba(127) — Bikarna Naskar<br>Kakdwip(131) — Dipankar Jana<br>Sagar(132) — Sumanta Mandal<br>Behala Purba(153) — Sankar Sikder<br>Jorasanko(165) — Vijay Ojha<br>Shyampukur(166) — Purnima Chakraborty<br>Maniktala(167) — Tapas Roy<br>Kashipur-Belgachhia(168) — Ritesh Tiwari<br>Howrah Uttar(170) — Umesh Rai<br>Shibpur(172) — Rudranil Ghosh<br>Shyampur(179) — Dr. Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay<br>Jagatballavpur(183) — Anupam Ghosh<br>Sreerampur(186) — Bhaskar Bhattacharya<br>Balagarh(191) — Sumana Sarkar<br>Saptagram(193) — Swaraj Ghosh<br>Arambag(200) — Bag Hemanta<br>Goghat(201) — Prasanta Digar<br>Panskura Purba(204) — Subrata Maity (Rana)<br>Nandakumar(207) — Khanra Nirmal<br>Egra(218) — Adhikari Dibyendu<br>Dantan(219) — Ajit Kumar Jana<br>Nayagram(220) — Amiya Kisku<br>Gopiballavpur(221) — Rajesh Mahata<br>Jhargram(222) — Lakshmi Kanta Sau<br>Keshiary(223) — Bhadra Hemram<br>Sabang(226) — Amal Kumar Panda<br>Debra(229) — Subhashis Om<br>Daspur(230) — Tapan Kumar Dutta<br>Ghatal(231) — Sital Kapat<br>Chandrakona(232) — Sukanta Dolui<br>Garbeta(233) — Pradip Lodha<br>Salboni(234) — Biman Mahata<br>Medinipur(236) — Sankar Kumar Guchhait<br>Binpur(237) — Dr. Pranat Tudu<br>Bandwan(238) — Labsen Baskey<br>Balarampur(239) — Jaladhar Mahato<br>Baghmundi(240) — Rahidas Mahato<br>Joypur(241) — Biswajit Mahato<br>Purulia(242) — Sudip Kumar Mukherjee<br>Kashipur(244) — Kamala Kanta Hansda<br>Para(245) — Nadiar Chand Bouri<br>Raghunathpur(246) — Mamoni Bauri<br>Saltora(247) — Chandana Bauri<br>Chhatna(248) — Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay<br>Ranibandh(249) — Khudiram Tudu<br>Raipur(250) — Kshetramohan Hansda<br>Taldangra(251) — Souvik Patra<br>Bankura(252) — Niladri Sekhar Dana<br>Barjora(253) — Billeswar Sinha<br>Onda(254) — Amarnath Shakha<br>Bishnupur(255) — Shukla Chatterjee<br>Indus(257) — Nirmal Kumar Dhara<br>Sonamukhi(258) — Dibakar Gharami<br>Bardhaman Dakshin(260) — Moumita Biswas Misra<br>Raina(261) — Subhash Patra<br>Jamalpur(262) — Arun Halder<br>Monteswar(263) — Saikat Panja<br>Kalna(264) — Siddhartha Majumdar<br>Memari(265) — Manab Guha<br>Bhatar(267) — Karfa Soumen<br>Purbasthali Dakshin(268) — Pran Krishna Tapadar<br>Purbasthali Uttar(269) — Gopal Chattopadhyay<br>Katwa(270) — Krishna Ghosh<br>Ketugram(271) — Anadi Ghosh<br>Ausgram(273) — Kalita Maji<br>Galsi(274) — Raju Patra<br>Pandabeswar(275) — Jitendra Kumar Tewari<br>Durgapur Purba(276) — Chandra Sekhar Banerjee<br>Durgapur Paschim(277) — Lakshman Chandra Ghorui<br>Raniganj(278) — Partha Ghosh<br>Jamuria(279) — Dr. Bijan Mukherjee<br>Asansol Dakshin(280) — Agnimitra Paul<br>Asansol Uttar(281) — Krishnendu Mukherjee<br>Kulti(282) — Ajay Kumar Poddar<br>Barabani(283) — Arijit Roy<br>Dubrajpur(284) — Anup Kumar Saha<br>Mayureswar(290) — Dudh Kumar Mondal</p><h2>TMC wins&nbsp;</h2><p>SITAI — SANGITA ROY<br>CHOPRA — HAMIDUL RAHAMAN<br>ISLAMPUR — AGARWAL KANAIA LAL<br>GOALPOKHAR — MD GHULAM RABBANI<br>CHAKULIA — AZAD MINHAJUL ARFIN<br>ITAHAR — MOSARAF HUSSEN<br>CHANCHAL — PRASUN BANERJEE<br>MALATIPUR — ABDUR RAHIM BOXI<br>MOTHABARI — ISLAM MD NAJRUL<br>SUJAPUR — SABINA YEASMIN<br>SAMSERGANJ — MOHAMMED NOOR ALAM<br>SUTI — EMANI BISWAS<br>RAGHUNATHGANJ — AKHRUZZAMAN<br>SAGARDIGHI — BAYRON BISWAS<br>LALGOLA — ABDUL AZIZ DOCTOR<br>BHAGAWANGOLA — REYAT HOSSAIN SARKAR<br>BHARATPUR — MUSTAFIJUR RAHAMAN (SUMAN)<br>HARIHARPARA — NIAMOT SHEIKH<br>JALANGI — BABAR ALI<br>KALIGANJ — ALIFA AHMED<br>CHAPRA — JEBER SEKH<br>BADURIA — BURHANUL MUKADDIM (LITON)<br>KAMARHATI — MADAN MITRA<br>DEGANGA — ANISUR RAHAMAN BIDESH<br>HAROA — ABDUL MATIN MUHAMMAD<br>MINAKHAN — USHA RANI MONDAL<br>BASIRHAT UTTAR — MD. TAUSEFFUR RAHMAN<br>BASANTI — NILIMA MISTRY BISHAL<br>KULTALI — GANESH CHANDRA MONDAL<br>KULPI — BARNALI DHARA<br>CANNING PURBA — MD BAHARUL ISLAM<br>MAGRAHAT PURBA — SARMISTHA PURKAIT<br>BISHNUPUR — DILIP MONDAL<br>KASBA — AHMED JAVED KHAN<br>METIABURUZ — ABDUL KHALEQUE MOLLA<br>BALLYGUNGE — SOBHANDEB CHATTOPADHYAY<br>CHOWRANGEE — BANDYOPADHYAY NAYNA<br>ENTALLY — SANDIPAN SAHA<br>HOWRAH DAKSHIN — NANDITA CHOWDHURY<br>SANKRAIL — PRIYA PAUL<br>PANCHLA — GULSAN MULLICK<br>ULUBERIA PURBA — RITABRATA BANERJEE<br>DOMJUR — TAPAS MAITY<br>CHANDITALA — SWATI KHANDOKER<br>DHANEKHALI — ASIMA PATRA<br>KHARAGPUR — DINEN ROY<br>KESHPUR — SEULI SAHA<br>KHANDAGHOSH — NABIN CHANDRA BAG</p><h3>CPI(M) — Wins</h3><p>Domkal(—) — Md. Mostafijur Rahaman</p><h3>All India Secular Front (AISF) — Wins</h3><p>Bhangar(148) — Md. Nawsad Siddique</p><h3>Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) — Wins</h3><p>Rejinagar(70) — Humayun Kabir<br>Nowda(74) — Humayun Kabir</p><h3>Indian National Congress (INC) — Wins</h3><p>Farakka(55) — Motab Shaikh<br>Raninagar(63) — Julfikar Ali</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Counting of votes in West Bengal is underway across 294 seats, with early ECI trends showing a close contest between BJP and TMC. BJP leads in multiple constituencies, while Mamata Banerjee’s TMC remains strong in key urban and rural belts as results unfold.

Counting of votes in West Bengal is underway since 8 am on Monday (May 4). The elections were held oin two phases on April 23 and April 29. The state is currently governed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. This election has evolved into a two-way contest with BJP putting its entire machinery in Bengal to campaign for a change. Weighing on welfare schemes and Bengaliri origins, Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. Her TMC came to power in the state for the first time in 2011. Trends for all 294 seats are in. What is West Bengal election result as per ECI? According to the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) 9.30pm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerges as the leading party with 176 seats won and 32 leading, taking its total to 208 seats, securing a clear dominant position. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) follows as the second-largest party with 59 won and 20 leading (79 total), marking a significant gap from the BJP but still retaining a strong presence. The Indian National Congress (INC) holds 2 seats, while Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) also has 2 seats. The CPI(M) and All India Secular Front (AISF) each secure 1 seat, indicating a very limited footprint. Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026 Winners: Who won, who lost - Key seats, top faces and FULL LIST of constituency-wise results Nandigram: Suvendu Adhikari WON (EC yet to declare) In Nandigram, the spotlight was on BJP's main face in Bengal - Suvendu Adhikari - who is facing Pabitra Kar of the TMC. Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, has since become one of her fiercest rivals. He is contesting again from Nandigram, a seat he famously won in 2021 by defeating Banerjee. Nandigram holds deep political significance for Banerjee, as it was the epicentre of the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement that propelled her and the TMC to power in West Bengal. She was defeated here in 2021. Bhabanipur: Mamata Banerjee LOST In Bhabanipur, the spotlight is firmly on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is locked in a high-stakes contest against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in the 2021 Assembly polls. Banerjee later reclaimed her position through a record win in the Bhabanipur bypoll. Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, is also contesting from Nandigram against TMC's Pabitra Kar. Mamata Banerjee is LEADING Baharampur: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury LOST In Baharampur, a high-profile contest is unfolding between Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Subrata Maitra. A veteran leader of the Indian National Congress, Chowdhury is a five-time MP from Baharampur and has served as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He is now contesting the assembly election after his defeat in the 2024 parliamentary polls. Facing him is Maitra of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the sitting MLA. TMC, BJP make West Bengal Election campaign a 'fishy' affair: Phase 1 ends with a bit of 'jhalmuri', Phase 2 relies on 'revri' Asansol Dakshin: Agnimitra Paul WON Agnimitra Paul, a prominent BJP face in the state, returns to defend her position after her 2021 win. She is challenged by TMC’s Tapas Banerjee, a seasoned politician who previously held the seat for a decade. Agnimitra Paul is LEADING Kharagpur Sadar: Dilip Ghosh WON In Kharagpur Sadar, the contest brings together two strong political figures: Dilip Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Pradip Sarkar of the All India Trinamool Congress. Mathabhanga: Nisith Pramanik WON In Mathabhanga (SC), the contest features a high-profile face-off between Nisith Pramanik of the BJP and Sablu Barman of the TMC. Domkal: Former IPS officer Humayun Kabir LOST Former IPS officer Humayun Kabir, once known for his tough policing and crackdown on organised crime, is contesting from Domkal in Murshidabad district. Kabir, a 2003-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, had earned a reputation of taking on hardened criminals, including the arrest of notorious gangster “Hathkata Dilip.” Now re-entering the electoral fray, he has been fielded by TMC from Domkal instead of Debra, where he had previously contested. He is up against Mostafijur Rahaman of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Rejinagar and Nowda: Humayun Kabir WON Humayun Kabir, a former TMC MLA from Bharatpur who was expelled from the party in December 2025 following controversies surrounding the proposed construction of a Babri Masjid replica, is contesting from Rejinagar and Naoda (Nowda) in Murshidabad district. A former TMC minister, now contesting under his own banner, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, after his expulsion from the TMC. He is up against Ataur Rahaman of TMC. Maldaha (SC): Gopal Chandra Saha WON The Maldaha (SC) seat is witnessing a keen contest between Lipika Barman Ghosh of the TMC and Gopal Chandra Saha of the BJP. The constituency holds strategic importance within the SC/ST belt of Malda district, where electoral dynamics have been evolving rapidly. Raiganj: Kaushik Choudhury WON TMC's Krishna Kalyani, who had earlier won the seat on a BJP ticket in 2024 before switching sides, is now contesting against BJP’s Kaushik Choudhury. Kolkata Port: Firhad Hakim WON In Kolkata Port, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim is up against BJP candidate Rakesh Singh. While Hakim had held the seat since 2011, Rakesh Singh is a turncoat who has now switched sides to BJP. A minority-dominated constituency in central Kolkata, the seat is crucial for the TMC to maintain its urban stronghold, while the BJP is aiming to make deeper inroads into the city’s electoral landscape. Firhad Hakim is TRAILING Panihati: Ratna Debnath WON One of the most closely watched seat is Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district where BJP has fielded Ratna Debnath, the mother of trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in 2024. Panihati has long been a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress and this time the party has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, while CPM's candidate Kalatan Dasgupta is also in fray. Hingalganj: Rekha Patra WON Hingalganj has emerged as a politically sensitive seat with BJP fielding Rekha Patra, who gained prominence as the face of Sandeshkhali protests. She was fielded by the BJP as their candidate for the Basirhat constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but she lost. This time she is up against , Ananda Sarkar of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). TMC's Debes Mondal is the sitting MLA. Karimpur: Soham Chakraborty LOST Actor-turned-politician Soham Chakraborty is contesting from Karimpur in Nadia district on a TMC ticket. His presence adds star appeal to the contest. He won the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021 from East Midnapore's Chandipur but has shifted his base in this year's polls. BJP's Samarendranath Ghosh in in fray from this constituency. Dum Dum Uttar: Chandrima Bhattacharya LOST In Dum Dum Uttar, senior TMC leader and minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is contesting, making it a key seat for the ruling party. Given its urban voter base, the constituency is expected to reflect broader trends in metropolitan political preferences. Bhattacharya is pitted against Saurav Sikdar, the nephew of senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Tapan Sikdar, and CPM leader Dipsita Dhar. This makes the seat a high-profile one. Chandrima Bhattacharya is TRAILING Bidhannagar: Sujit Bose LOST Sujit Bose is contesting from Bidhannagar, on TMC's ticket and he is pitted against BJP's newbie Sharadwat Mukherjee. He is the sitting MLA and in West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021, he defeated BJP's Sabyasachi Dutta. Sujit Bose is TRAILING Baranagar: Sayantika Banerjee LOST Actress Sayantika Banerjee is contesting from the Baranagar constituency in North 24 Parganas. Banerjee joined All India Trinamool Congress, ahead of Assembly elections 2021 in West Bengal. She contested the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from Bankura constituency, which she lost. Kamarhati: Madan Mitra WON Veteran TMC leader Madan Mitra is once again in the fray from Kamarhati. Mitra remains a key figure in the constituency, making it a stronghold to watch. Mitra currently serving as the MLA for the Kamarhati constituency. He faces strong competition from Arup Choudhury Pulak from BJP, Manash Mukherjee from CPM and Kallol Mukherjee from Congress. Madan Mitra is LEADING Barrackpore: Raj Chakraborty LOST In Barrackpore, filmmaker-turned-politician Raj Chakraborty is contesting on a TMC ticket and is facing advocate and BJP candidate Kaustav Bagchi in North 24 Parganas' Barrackpore. Bagchi has publicly challenged Chakraborty to win by a margin of 50,000 votes. In the 2021 election, Chakraborty defeated BJP's Chandramani Shukla. Sonarpur Dakshin: Roopa Ganguly WON Veteran actress and BJP leader Roopa Ganguly is contesting from Shonarpur Dakshin against Congress candidate Lovely Maitra in a high-profile contest. Best known for her portrayal of Draupadi in the TV series Mahabharat, Ganguly brings name recognition to the BJP’s campaign, while Maitra is well-known Bengali television actress. Uluberia Purba: Ritabrata Banerjee WON TMC candidate Ritabrata Banerjee is contesting from Uluberia Purba. Banerjee,aprominentstudent leaderwasexpelled from CPMin 2017.He joined the Trinamool in 2018 and in 2024, the Trinamool sent Banerjee to Rajya Sabha. Maniktala: Shreya Pandey LOST Television actress Shreya Pandey is the candidate from the Maniktala constituency in Kolkata. Pandey is contesting on a TMC ticket. Shreya's parents, Supti Pandey and the late Sadhan Pande were also prominent TMC leaders. Sadhan Pande also served as a state minister for the West Bengal Government in 2011. Rajarhat Gopalpur: Aditi Munshi LOST TMC has also tapped popular musicians. Renowned kirtan artist Aditi Munshi has filed for a Trinamool ticket from the Gopalpur constituency in Rajarhat adjacent to Salt Lake. BJP’s Tarunjyoti Tewari is up against Munshi. Chandannagar: Indranil Sen TRAILING Singer Indranil Sen is contesting on a TMC ticket from Chandannagar. Deepanjan Kumar Guha is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. Shyampur: Hiran Chatterjee WON Controversial actor turned politician Hiran Chatterjee has been given a BJP ticket for Shyampur in Howrah. Chatterjee, a sitting MLA, had to vacate the Kharagpur Sadar seat for BJP heavyweight Dilip Ghosh earlier. Chatterjee was recently in the news for marrying model Ritika Giri in a ceremony held in Varanasi. Chatterjee's first wife, Anindita Chatterjee, publicly questioned the second marriage, stating that they were neither divorced nor legally separated and calling the union “illegal.” BJP Wins (119 seats listed) Mekliganj(1) — Dadhiram Ray Mathabhanga(2) — Nishith Pramanik Dinhata(7) — Ajay Ray Dhupguri(15) — Naresh Roy Rajganj(18) — Dinesh Sarkar Dabgram-Fulbari(19) — Sikha Chatterjee Kalimpong(22) — Bharat Kumar Chetri Darjeeling(23) — Noman Rai Kurseong(24) — Sonam Lama Matigara-Naxalbari(25) — Anandamay Barman Phansidewa(27) — Durga Murmu Karandighi(32) — Biraj Biswas Hematabad(33) — Haripada Barman Kaliaganj(34) — Utpal Brahmacharo Raiganj(35) — Koushik Chowdhury Balurghat(39) — Bidyut Kumar Roy Tapan(40) — Budhrai Tudu Gangarampur(41) — Satyendra Nath Roy Habibpur(43) — Joyel Murmu Manikchak(49) — Gaur Chandra Mandal Malda(50) — Gopal Chandra Saha Murshidabad(64) — Gouri Sankar Ghosh Nabagram(65) — Dilip Saha Burwan(67) — Sukhen Kumar Bagdi Kandi(68) — Gargi Das Ghosh Beldanga(71) — Bharat Kumar Jhawar Baharampur(72) — Subrata Maitra (Kanchan) Nakashipara(81) — Santanu Dey Krishnanagar Uttar(83) — Tarak Nath Chatterjee Krishnanagar Dakshin(85) — Sadhan Ghosh Krishnaganj(88) — Sukanta Biswas Ranaghat Dakshin(90) — Ashim Kumar Biswas Gaighata(97) — Subrata Thakur Habra(100) — Debdas Mondal Ashoknagar(101) — Dr. Sumay Hira Bijpur(103) — Sudipta Das Naihati(104) — Sumitro Chatterjee Bhatpara(105) — Pawan Kumar Singh Khardaha(109) — Kalyan Chakraborti Baranagar(113) — Sajal Ghosh Sandeshkhali(123) — Sanat Sardar Hingalganj(126) — Rekha Patra Gosaba(127) — Bikarna Naskar Kakdwip(131) — Dipankar Jana Sagar(132) — Sumanta Mandal Behala Purba(153) — Sankar Sikder Jorasanko(165) — Vijay Ojha Shyampukur(166) — Purnima Chakraborty Maniktala(167) — Tapas Roy Kashipur-Belgachhia(168) — Ritesh Tiwari Howrah Uttar(170) — Umesh Rai Shibpur(172) — Rudranil Ghosh Shyampur(179) — Dr. Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay Jagatballavpur(183) — Anupam Ghosh Sreerampur(186) — Bhaskar Bhattacharya Balagarh(191) — Sumana Sarkar Saptagram(193) — Swaraj Ghosh Arambag(200) — Bag Hemanta Goghat(201) — Prasanta Digar Panskura Purba(204) — Subrata Maity (Rana) Nandakumar(207) — Khanra Nirmal Egra(218) — Adhikari Dibyendu Dantan(219) — Ajit Kumar Jana Nayagram(220) — Amiya Kisku Gopiballavpur(221) — Rajesh Mahata Jhargram(222) — Lakshmi Kanta Sau Keshiary(223) — Bhadra Hemram Sabang(226) — Amal Kumar Panda Debra(229) — Subhashis Om Daspur(230) — Tapan Kumar Dutta Ghatal(231) — Sital Kapat Chandrakona(232) — Sukanta Dolui Garbeta(233) — Pradip Lodha Salboni(234) — Biman Mahata Medinipur(236) — Sankar Kumar Guchhait Binpur(237) — Dr. Pranat Tudu Bandwan(238) — Labsen Baskey Balarampur(239) — Jaladhar Mahato Baghmundi(240) — Rahidas Mahato Joypur(241) — Biswajit Mahato Purulia(242) — Sudip Kumar Mukherjee Kashipur(244) — Kamala Kanta Hansda Para(245) — Nadiar Chand Bouri Raghunathpur(246) — Mamoni Bauri Saltora(247) — Chandana Bauri Chhatna(248) — Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay Ranibandh(249) — Khudiram Tudu Raipur(250) — Kshetramohan Hansda Taldangra(251) — Souvik Patra Bankura(252) — Niladri Sekhar Dana Barjora(253) — Billeswar Sinha Onda(254) — Amarnath Shakha Bishnupur(255) — Shukla Chatterjee Indus(257) — Nirmal Kumar Dhara Sonamukhi(258) — Dibakar Gharami Bardhaman Dakshin(260) — Moumita Biswas Misra Raina(261) — Subhash Patra Jamalpur(262) — Arun Halder Monteswar(263) — Saikat Panja Kalna(264) — Siddhartha Majumdar Memari(265) — Manab Guha Bhatar(267) — Karfa Soumen Purbasthali Dakshin(268) — Pran Krishna Tapadar Purbasthali Uttar(269) — Gopal Chattopadhyay Katwa(270) — Krishna Ghosh Ketugram(271) — Anadi Ghosh Ausgram(273) — Kalita Maji Galsi(274) — Raju Patra Pandabeswar(275) — Jitendra Kumar Tewari Durgapur Purba(276) — Chandra Sekhar Banerjee Durgapur Paschim(277) — Lakshman Chandra Ghorui Raniganj(278) — Partha Ghosh Jamuria(279) — Dr. Bijan Mukherjee Asansol Dakshin(280) — Agnimitra Paul Asansol Uttar(281) — Krishnendu Mukherjee Kulti(282) — Ajay Kumar Poddar Barabani(283) — Arijit Roy Dubrajpur(284) — Anup Kumar Saha Mayureswar(290) — Dudh Kumar Mondal TMC wins SITAI — SANGITA ROY CHOPRA — HAMIDUL RAHAMAN ISLAMPUR — AGARWAL KANAIA LAL GOALPOKHAR — MD GHULAM RABBANI CHAKULIA — AZAD MINHAJUL ARFIN ITAHAR — MOSARAF HUSSEN CHANCHAL — PRASUN BANERJEE MALATIPUR — ABDUR RAHIM BOXI MOTHABARI — ISLAM MD NAJRUL SUJAPUR — SABINA YEASMIN SAMSERGANJ — MOHAMMED NOOR ALAM SUTI — EMANI BISWAS RAGHUNATHGANJ — AKHRUZZAMAN SAGARDIGHI — BAYRON BISWAS LALGOLA — ABDUL AZIZ DOCTOR BHAGAWANGOLA — REYAT HOSSAIN SARKAR BHARATPUR — MUSTAFIJUR RAHAMAN (SUMAN) HARIHARPARA — NIAMOT SHEIKH JALANGI — BABAR ALI KALIGANJ — ALIFA AHMED CHAPRA — JEBER SEKH BADURIA — BURHANUL MUKADDIM (LITON) KAMARHATI — MADAN MITRA DEGANGA — ANISUR RAHAMAN BIDESH HAROA — ABDUL MATIN MUHAMMAD MINAKHAN — USHA RANI MONDAL BASIRHAT UTTAR — MD. TAUSEFFUR RAHMAN BASANTI — NILIMA MISTRY BISHAL KULTALI — GANESH CHANDRA MONDAL KULPI — BARNALI DHARA CANNING PURBA — MD BAHARUL ISLAM MAGRAHAT PURBA — SARMISTHA PURKAIT BISHNUPUR — DILIP MONDAL KASBA — AHMED JAVED KHAN METIABURUZ — ABDUL KHALEQUE MOLLA BALLYGUNGE — SOBHANDEB CHATTOPADHYAY CHOWRANGEE — BANDYOPADHYAY NAYNA ENTALLY — SANDIPAN SAHA HOWRAH DAKSHIN — NANDITA CHOWDHURY SANKRAIL — PRIYA PAUL PANCHLA — GULSAN MULLICK ULUBERIA PURBA — RITABRATA BANERJEE DOMJUR — TAPAS MAITY CHANDITALA — SWATI KHANDOKER DHANEKHALI — ASIMA PATRA KHARAGPUR — DINEN ROY KESHPUR — SEULI SAHA KHANDAGHOSH — NABIN CHANDRA BAG CPI(M) — Wins Domkal(—) — Md. Mostafijur Rahaman All India Secular Front (AISF) — Wins Bhangar(148) — Md. Nawsad Siddique Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) — Wins Rejinagar(70) — Humayun Kabir Nowda(74) — Humayun Kabir Indian National Congress (INC) — Wins Farakka(55) — Motab Shaikh Raninagar(63) — Julfikar Ali

<p>Counting of votes in West Bengal is underway across 294 seats, with early ECI trends showing a close contest between BJP and TMC. BJP leads in multiple constituencies, while Mamata Banerjee’s TMC remains strong in key urban and rural belts as results unfold.</p>

West Bengal Election Results 2026 Winners: Who won, who lost - Key seats, top faces and FULL LIST of constituency-wise results

A regime change in West Bengal could add 50 basis points to India's GDP, according to market experts. Analysts predict a BJP victory would align state and central policies, triggering industrial growth and boosting stock markets.


<p>A regime change in West Bengal could add 50 basis points to India's GDP, according to market experts. Analysts predict a BJP victory would align state and central policies, triggering industrial growth and boosting stock markets.</p>

BJP in Bengal? What it could mean for stock markets

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s current lead in the 2026 West Bengal elections signals the possibility of a major economic pivot for the state. If the party secures a final victory, it could mark a historic political shift and unlock a ‘double engine’ advantage.

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party’s current lead in the 2026 West Bengal elections signals the possibility of a major economic pivot for the state. If the party secures a final victory, it could mark a historic political shift and unlock a ‘double engine’ advantage.</p>

A new era for Bengal? What a BJP government means for West Bengal’s economic future

<p>Ratna Debnath, the mother of the doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and BJP candidate for West Bengal's Panihari, is leading in her race by over 8,000 votes after three rounds of counting on Monday (May 4). Panihari has become one of the most closely watched contests of the West Bengal assembly election, with significance that goes well beyond the seat itself. Debnath entered the election as a grieving mother who lost her daughter on August 9, 2024, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered in a seminar room at the Kolkata hospital. The case ignited mass protests across India and became a defining issue for critics of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government, which holds the health portfolio and faced sustained accusations over its initial handling of the investigation.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-why-didn-t-she-save-my-daughter-mother-of-rg-kar-rape-murder-victim-enters-west-bengal-election-fray-vows-to-defeat-mamata-banerjee-1775707531406"><strong>'Why didn't she save my daughter?': Mother of RG Kar rape-murder victim enters West Bengal election fray, vows to defeat Mamata Banerjee</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Who's winning in West Bengal's Panihari?</strong></h2><p>Debnath is running against Trinamool Congress candidate Tirthankar Ghosh, who trailed her by over 8,000 votes after three counting rounds. The CPI(M) candidate Kalatan Dasgupta was in a distant third position.</p><p>West Bengal's 294-seat assembly went to the polls in two phases, April 23 and April 29, with counting underway on May 4.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260504/image-1777881553546.png"></figure><h2><strong>Ratna Debnath's 'main enemy'</strong></h2><p>Earlier, as she entered the election fray, Debnath had announced, "My main enemy is Mamata Banerjee because she's the Health Minister, and my daughter worked for the Health Department". She questioned, "Why didn't Mamata Banerjee save my daughter?".</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-winners-kerala-assam-west-bengal-tamil-nadu-puducherry-assembly-elections-2026-congress-udf-bjp-nda-cpi-m-cpi-ind-inc-admk-tvk-dmk-aitc-1777867484994"><strong>BIG WINNERS Assembly Elections 2026: Who won, who lost in Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry</strong></a></p><p>Recently, on April 29, Debnath reiterated her earlier statement, once again naming Banerjee as her primary target throughout the campaign. Voicing appreciation for the high voter turnout in the state, she</p><p>"Our only regret is that when such an incident happens, our female Chief Minister herself insults women," she said before polling concluded. "Those who say that girls should not go out after 8 PM, when my daughter was murdered, they said girls should not do night duty. This time Bengal will fight against this."</p><p>Her husband Shankaran Debnath pointed to the broader pattern of the election, describing record voter turnout as evidence that the public had made up its mind. West Bengal saw a staggering 91.62 per cent turnout across the second phase of polling.<br>&nbsp;</p>

In one of West Bengal’s most emotionally charged contests in Panihari, RG Kar victim’s mother Ratna Debnath is leading by over 8,000 votes as she turns personal tragedy into a powerful political challenge against Mamata Banerjee’s government. Scroll down.

Ratna Debnath, the mother of the doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and BJP candidate for West Bengal's Panihari, is leading in her race by over 8,000 votes after three rounds of counting on Monday (May 4). Panihari has become one of the most closely watched contests of the West Bengal assembly election, with significance that goes well beyond the seat itself. Debnath entered the election as a grieving mother who lost her daughter on August 9, 2024, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered in a seminar room at the Kolkata hospital. The case ignited mass protests across India and became a defining issue for critics of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government, which holds the health portfolio and faced sustained accusations over its initial handling of the investigation. Also read | 'Why didn't she save my daughter?': Mother of RG Kar rape-murder victim enters West Bengal election fray, vows to defeat Mamata Banerjee Who's winning in West Bengal's Panihari? Debnath is running against Trinamool Congress candidate Tirthankar Ghosh, who trailed her by over 8,000 votes after three counting rounds. The CPI(M) candidate Kalatan Dasgupta was in a distant third position. West Bengal's 294-seat assembly went to the polls in two phases, April 23 and April 29, with counting underway on May 4. Ratna Debnath's 'main enemy' Earlier, as she entered the election fray, Debnath had announced, "My main enemy is Mamata Banerjee because she's the Health Minister, and my daughter worked for the Health Department". She questioned, "Why didn't Mamata Banerjee save my daughter?". Also read | BIG WINNERS Assembly Elections 2026: Who won, who lost in Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Recently, on April 29, Debnath reiterated her earlier statement, once again naming Banerjee as her primary target throughout the campaign. Voicing appreciation for the high voter turnout in the state, she "Our only regret is that when such an incident happens, our female Chief Minister herself insults women," she said before polling concluded. "Those who say that girls should not go out after 8 PM, when my daughter was murdered, they said girls should not do night duty. This time Bengal will fight against this." Her husband Shankaran Debnath pointed to the broader pattern of the election, describing record voter turnout as evidence that the public had made up its mind. West Bengal saw a staggering 91.62 per cent turnout across the second phase of polling.

<p>In one of West Bengal’s most emotionally charged contests in Panihati, RG Kar victim’s mother Ratna Debnath is leading by over 8,000 votes as she turns personal tragedy into a powerful political challenge against Mamata Banerjee’s government. Scroll down.</p>

Ratna Debnath, mother of RG Kar rape-murder victim, dominates early rounds in West Bengal's Panihati

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday (May 4) raised serious allegations amid ongoing counting of votes, claiming irregularities and delays at multiple counting centres. Speaking from her Bhabanipur constituency, she urged party agents and candidates to remain present throughout the counting process, alleging that early trends were being manipulated in favour of the BJP. She also claimed that the process was not being reported accurately. Banerjee expressed confidence that her party was leading by a significant margin and would ultimately secure victory once all rounds of counting were completed.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. Her TMC came to power in the state for the first time in 2011.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-results-2026-who-s-leading-who-s-trailing-in-west-bengal-and-tamil-nadu-mamata-banerjee-stalin-vijay-suvendu-adhikari-1777868325673"><strong>Assembly Elections Results 2026: Who's leading, who's trailing in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Banerjee said in a video shared on Facebook, "Counting agents and candidates should not leave the counting centre. This is the BJP's plan, I have been saying this since yesterday that they will be shown ahead first. They have stopped counting at many places. Such machines have been found in Kalyani, where there is no match; atrocities are being committed against TMC from all sides through central forces. Through SIR, they tried to steal votes, and even now, we are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being reported. Everything is being reported wrong. The Election Commission is working entirely as per its own will, and central forces are also with them. The police are also working with the central forces. I tell party workers that there is no need to feel disheartened; you will win after sunset. The counting of 2-4 rounds has taken place, the counting goes up to 14-18 rounds, and we will win. There is no need for anyone to be afraid."&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kolkata: TMC candidate from Bhabanipur and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, &quot;Counting agents and candidates should not leave the counting centre. This is the BJP&#39;s plan, I have been saying this since yesterday that they will be shown ahead first. They have stopped… <a href="https://t.co/jdU9OqxWEJ">pic.twitter.com/jdU9OqxWEJ</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2051200889063653550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-election-results-2026-winners-who-won-who-lost-full-list-of-constituency-wise-results-1777871942459"><strong>Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026 Winners: Who won, who lost - Key seats, top faces and FULL LIST of constituency-wise</strong></a></p><h2>What are the trends suggesting?</h2><p>As per Election Commission of India (ECI) leads at 1 pm, BJP is ahead in 183 seats, followed by TMC in 91 seats. The CPI(M) is leading in 1 seat, while smaller parties such as Aam Janata Unnayan Party and All India Secular Front are leading in 2 seats each. The total leads stand at 279 seats.</p>

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged irregularities during counting as All India Trinamool Congress raised concerns over delays and reporting of early trends. Amid tight West Bengal and Tamil Nadu election results 2026 race, parties await final outcome.

West Bengal Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday (May 4) raised serious allegations amid ongoing counting of votes, claiming irregularities and delays at multiple counting centres. Speaking from her Bhabanipur constituency, she urged party agents and candidates to remain present throughout the counting process, alleging that early trends were being manipulated in favour of the BJP. She also claimed that the process was not being reported accurately. Banerjee expressed confidence that her party was leading by a significant margin and would ultimately secure victory once all rounds of counting were completed. Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. Her TMC came to power in the state for the first time in 2011. Also Read: Assembly Elections Results 2026: Who's leading, who's trailing in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Banerjee said in a video shared on Facebook, "Counting agents and candidates should not leave the counting centre. This is the BJP's plan, I have been saying this since yesterday that they will be shown ahead first. They have stopped counting at many places. Such machines have been found in Kalyani, where there is no match; atrocities are being committed against TMC from all sides through central forces. Through SIR, they tried to steal votes, and even now, we are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being reported. Everything is being reported wrong. The Election Commission is working entirely as per its own will, and central forces are also with them. The police are also working with the central forces. I tell party workers that there is no need to feel disheartened; you will win after sunset. The counting of 2-4 rounds has taken place, the counting goes up to 14-18 rounds, and we will win. There is no need for anyone to be afraid."

<p>West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged irregularities during counting as All India Trinamool Congress raised concerns over delays and reporting of early trends. Amid tight West Bengal and Tamil Nadu election results 2026 race, parties await final outcome.</p>

'After sunset, you will win': Mamata Banerjee breaks silence amid BJP's massive leads in West Bengal Election results

<p>Following a record-breaking turnout in the opening round, West Bengal is preparing for the second and final phase of the 2026 Assembly Elections this Wednesday (April 29), &nbsp;under a blanket of tight security and rigorous monitoring. Polling will be held across 142 constituencies in seven key districts, including the capital city of Kolkata. This high-stakes round is highlighted by a defining battle in Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking re-election against a fierce challenge from BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Voting is scheduled to take place from 7 am to 6 pm., with over 3.22 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 1,448 candidates in the fray. This diverse candidate pool includes 1,228 men and 220 women. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the electorate includes approximately 1.64 crore men, 1.57 crore women, and 792 third-gender voters, alongside nearly 40,000 service voters.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To ensure smooth polling, authorities have set up 41,001 polling stations, including 1,700 auxiliary centres. In a push for inclusivity, 8,845 booths will be managed entirely by women, while several others will be operated by persons with disabilities.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-announces-exit-from-opec-and-opec-effective-may-1-1777380156470"><strong>UAE announces exit from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The final phase features three key contests that have drawn major attention. Along with the high-profile battle in Bhabanipur, Dum Dum Uttar is witnessing a face-off between Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and youth leader Dipsita Dhar.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In Panihati, the contest has taken an emotional turn, with Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Hospital victim, contesting against TMC’s Tirthankar Ghosh.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The first phase of the elections, held on April 23, set a significant benchmark with a record voter turnout of 91.78 per cent. As the intense campaigning period officially concluded on Monday, all eyes are now on whether the urban and suburban districts of this final phase will maintain that momentum. Once the polling ends on Wednesday, the fate of the candidates will remain sealed until May 4, when the counting of votes takes place alongside assembly results in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.</p>

Voting is scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with over 3.22 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 1,448 candidates in the fray. 

Following a record-breaking turnout in the opening round, West Bengal is preparing for the second and final phase of the 2026 Assembly Elections this Wednesday (April 29), under a blanket of tight security and rigorous monitoring. Polling will be held across 142 constituencies in seven key districts, including the capital city of Kolkata. This high-stakes round is highlighted by a defining battle in Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking re-election against a fierce challenge from BJP's Suvendu Adhikari. Voting is scheduled to take place from 7 am to 6 pm., with over 3.22 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 1,448 candidates in the fray. This diverse candidate pool includes 1,228 men and 220 women. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the electorate includes approximately 1.64 crore men, 1.57 crore women, and 792 third-gender voters, alongside nearly 40,000 service voters. To ensure smooth polling, authorities have set up 41,001 polling stations, including 1,700 auxiliary centres. In a push for inclusivity, 8,845 booths will be managed entirely by women, while several others will be operated by persons with disabilities. Also Read: UAE announces exit from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1 The final phase features three key contests that have drawn major attention. Along with the high-profile battle in Bhabanipur, Dum Dum Uttar is witnessing a face-off between Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and youth leader Dipsita Dhar. In Panihati, the contest has taken an emotional turn, with Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Hospital victim, contesting against TMC’s Tirthankar Ghosh. The first phase of the elections, held on April 23, set a significant benchmark with a record voter turnout of 91.78 per cent. As the intense campaigning period officially concluded on Monday, all eyes are now on whether the urban and suburban districts of this final phase will maintain that momentum. Once the polling ends on Wednesday, the fate of the candidates will remain sealed until May 4, when the counting of votes takes place alongside assembly results in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

<p>Voting is scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with over 3.22 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 1,448 candidates in the fray.&nbsp;</p>

West Bengal heads into final phase of high-stakes assembly polls; Mamata Banerjee among over 1,000 candidates in fray

<p><strong>West Bengal &nbsp;Assembly Elections 2026: </strong>Tension flared in Nowda, in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, during polling on Thursday (Apr 23) after a crude bomb was allegedly thrown near a voting area, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred in the middle of voting hours, triggering panic among voters and residents in the locality. Eyewitness accounts suggested a sudden blast disrupted the otherwise steady polling process, with people scrambling to move to safety.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-mamata-banerjee-narendra-modi-tmc-bjp-what-to-expect-phase-1-polls-1776905040581"><strong>West Bengal votes today: Mamata Banerjee faces her toughest test yet</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What happened in Nowda?</strong></h2><p>Initial reports indicate that multiple individuals sustained injuries in the explosion. They have been taken to nearby medical facilities, though officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties or the severity of injuries.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">VIDEO | West Bengal Election 2026: Several people injured as unidentified people hurled crude bomb in Nowda, Murshidabad district. More details are awaited.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssemblyPollsWithPTI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AssemblyPollsWithPTI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalPollsWithPTI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengalPollsWithPTI</a><br><br>(Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvrpG7">https://t.co/n147TvrpG7</a>) <a href="https://t.co/W7G5A9OqR6">pic.twitter.com/W7G5A9OqR6</a></p>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047164192692826170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Security forces reached the spot shortly after the incident and have since launched search operations in the area. Police are attempting to identify those responsible and determine whether the attack was linked to the ongoing election process.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-why-didn-t-she-save-my-daughter-mother-of-rg-kar-rape-murder-victim-enters-west-bengal-election-fray-vows-to-defeat-mamata-banerjee-1775707531406"><strong>'Why didn't she save my daughter?': Mother of RG Kar rape-murder victim enters West Bengal election fray, vows to defeat Mamata Banerjee</strong></a></p><p>Talking to the press later, Murshidabad ASP Majid Khan said, “The situation is peaceful. Nothing has happened anywhere...”</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Murshidabad, West Bengal: ASP Majid Khan, says, &quot;The situation is peaceful. Nothing has happened anywhere...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EnfCtiAmLd">https://t.co/EnfCtiAmLd</a> <a href="https://t.co/8tA8M18anU">pic.twitter.com/8tA8M18anU</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047179682697859406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>152 constituencies, 3.22 crore voters</strong></h2><p>West Bengal went to the polls today (Thursday Apr 23) with 152 constituencies across the state voting in Phase 1. Over 3.22 crore voters will cast their ballots in Phase 1, the opening act of a two-phase contest that will ultimately determine whether Mamata Banerjee secures an unprecedented fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister, or whether the BJP finally comes to power in a state it has been chasing for years.</p><p>Polling, which began at 7:00 am across the state for Phase 1 of the Assembly elections, has largely continued under heightened security, even as isolated incidents like this raise concerns. Authorities have not issued a detailed statement so far. The incident comes amid an already tense electoral atmosphere in parts of West Bengal, where polling has historically seen sporadic violence.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-blog-west-bengal-tamil-nadu-assembly-elections-2026-live-updates-voting-day-election-commission-of-india-aiadmk-dmk-bjp-congress-tmc-1776907499083"><strong>You can check LIVE updates on West Bengal Assembly elections 206 HERE</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Crude bomb disrupts voting in West Bengal: Tension erupted in Murshidabad after a crude bomb was thrown near a polling area during Phase 1, injuring several people.

Scroll down to read more.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Tension flared in Nowda, in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, during polling on Thursday (Apr 23) after a crude bomb was allegedly thrown near a voting area, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred in the middle of voting hours, triggering panic among voters and residents in the locality. Eyewitness accounts suggested a sudden blast disrupted the otherwise steady polling process, with people scrambling to move to safety. Also read | West Bengal votes today: Mamata Banerjee faces her toughest test yet What happened in Nowda? Initial reports indicate that multiple individuals sustained injuries in the explosion. They have been taken to nearby medical facilities, though officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties or the severity of injuries.

<p>Crude bomb disrupts voting in West Bengal: Tension erupted in Murshidabad after a crude bomb was thrown near a polling area during Phase 1, injuring several people.</p><p>Scroll down to read more.</p>

West Bengal poll violence: Crude bomb hurled in Murshidabad’s Nowda, several injured | WATCH

<p>West Bengal goes to the polls today (Thursday Apr 23) with 152 constituencies across the state voting in Phase 1. Over 3.22 crore voters will cast their ballots in Phase 1, the opening act of a two-phase contest that will ultimately determine whether Mamata Banerjee secures an unprecedented fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister, or whether the BJP finally comes to power in a state it has been chasing for years. The Thursday polls are slated to be a decisive contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-put-democracy-in-jeopardy-sc-raps-cm-mamata-banerjee-for-interfering-in-ed-raid-at-i-pac-premises-1776866314032"><strong>‘Put democracy in jeopardy’: SC raps Mamata for interfering in ED’s I-PAC raid</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What the final 48 hours of campaigning looked like</strong></h2><p>The final days of campaigning have been exactly as bruising as expected, with personal attacks, landmark manifestos and a record-breaking enforcement drive by the Election Commission.</p><p>Amit Shah led the BJP's closing push with a blizzard of rallies and roadshows, hitting Mamata on law and order, corruption, infiltration and what he called "syndicate raj." He promised Rs 9,000 for farmers, Rs 3,000 monthly for women and unemployed youth, and one crore jobs, a manifesto his party calls "Sonar Bangla."</p><p>TMC dismissed it as "a recycled catalogue of jumlas," with Mamata calling it a "report card of failed assurances." The outsider narrative remains TMC's sharpest weapon. When Shah allegedly mispronounced the name of Bengali poet Satyendranath Dutta at a rally, the party pounced. "How illiterate can one be about the land they seek to govern? Those who cannot name Bengal's icons correctly have no business claiming to be Bengal's guardians," the TMC said in a statement, slamming BJP as Bangla-Birodhi Bohiragotos (outsider). The party also filed a complaint accusing the BJP of running special trains from Surat to Bengal to move voters, calling it electoral bribery. BJP denied it.</p><h2><strong>Most watched contests</strong></h2><p>Among the most watched contests tomorrow is Bhabanipur, where Mamata herself faces Suvendu Adhikari, the man who defeated her in Nandigram in 2021 by fewer than 2,000 votes. Both seats carry enormous symbolic weight. Other critical matchups include Kharagpur Sadar, where Dilip Ghosh makes his return, and Murshidabad, decided by just 2,400 votes last time.</p><p>The Election Commission has seized over Rs 1,000 crore in cash, liquor and goods, deploying more than 5,000 Flying Squad teams across the state.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-elections-2026-from-suvendu-adhikari-to-humayun-kabir-a-look-at-key-faces-and-seats-in-phase-1-1776668622628"><strong>West Bengal Elections 2026:A look at key faces and seats in Phase 1</strong></a></p><h2><strong>SIR issue</strong></h2><p>The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls remains a divisive issue. The SIR exercise has resulted in the deletion of anywhere between 60 and 90 lakh names, shrinking the voter base from roughly 7.66 crore to 7.04 crore. TMC calls it voter suppression. The BJP calls it long-overdue housecleaning.</p><p>In 2021, TMC won over 200 seats with nearly 48.5 per cent of the vote. The BJP's 77 seats represented a significant breakthrough for a party that had previously struggled in Bengal. The question tomorrow is whether that breakthrough was a ceiling or a floor. Phase 2 is set to happen on April 29, and counting is on May 4.&nbsp;</p>

Is West Bengal heading for a political shake-up or continuity? Voting begins across 152 seats as Mamata Banerjee faces a strong challenge from Amit Shah’s BJP.

Will it be a fourth term or a breakthrough moment?

Scroll down to read more.

West Bengal goes to the polls today (Thursday Apr 23) with 152 constituencies across the state voting in Phase 1. Over 3.22 crore voters will cast their ballots in Phase 1, the opening act of a two-phase contest that will ultimately determine whether Mamata Banerjee secures an unprecedented fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister, or whether the BJP finally comes to power in a state it has been chasing for years. The Thursday polls are slated to be a decisive contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Also read | ‘Put democracy in jeopardy’: SC raps Mamata for interfering in ED’s I-PAC raid What the final 48 hours of campaigning looked like The final days of campaigning have been exactly as bruising as expected, with personal attacks, landmark manifestos and a record-breaking enforcement drive by the Election Commission. Amit Shah led the BJP's closing push with a blizzard of rallies and roadshows, hitting Mamata on law and order, corruption, infiltration and what he called "syndicate raj." He promised Rs 9,000 for farmers, Rs 3,000 monthly for women and unemployed youth, and one crore jobs, a manifesto his party calls "Sonar Bangla." TMC dismissed it as "a recycled catalogue of jumlas," with Mamata calling it a "report card of failed assurances." The outsider narrative remains TMC's sharpest weapon. When Shah allegedly mispronounced the name of Bengali poet Satyendranath Dutta at a rally, the party pounced. "How illiterate can one be about the land they seek to govern? Those who cannot name Bengal's icons correctly have no business claiming to be Bengal's guardians," the TMC said in a statement, slamming BJP as Bangla-Birodhi Bohiragotos (outsider). The party also filed a complaint accusing the BJP of running special trains from Surat to Bengal to move voters, calling it electoral bribery. BJP denied it. Most watched contests Among the most watched contests tomorrow is Bhabanipur, where Mamata herself faces Suvendu Adhikari, the man who defeated her in Nandigram in 2021 by fewer than 2,000 votes. Both seats carry enormous symbolic weight. Other critical matchups include Kharagpur Sadar, where Dilip Ghosh makes his return, and Murshidabad, decided by just 2,400 votes last time. The Election Commission has seized over Rs 1,000 crore in cash, liquor and goods, deploying more than 5,000 Flying Squad teams across the state. Also read | West Bengal Elections 2026:A look at key faces and seats in Phase 1 SIR issue The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls remains a divisive issue. The SIR exercise has resulted in the deletion of anywhere between 60 and 90 lakh names, shrinking the voter base from roughly 7.66 crore to 7.04 crore. TMC calls it voter suppression. The BJP calls it long-overdue housecleaning. In 2021, TMC won over 200 seats with nearly 48.5 per cent of the vote. The BJP's 77 seats represented a significant breakthrough for a party that had previously struggled in Bengal. The question tomorrow is whether that breakthrough was a ceiling or a floor. Phase 2 is set to happen on April 29, and counting is on May 4.

<p>Is West Bengal heading for a political shake-up or continuity? Voting begins across 152 seats as Mamata Banerjee faces a strong challenge from Amit Shah’s BJP.</p><p>Will it be a fourth term or a breakthrough moment?</p><p>Scroll down to read more.</p>

West Bengal votes today: Everything at stake as Mamata Banerjee faces her toughest test yet

<p>After wrapping up a power-packed schedule of four back-to-back rallies in Purulia, Jhargram, Medinipur and Bishnupur, ahead of the high-stake West Bengal Assembly Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen engaging in a light-hearted moment as he relished Bengal's popular street snack ‘jhalmuri.’ The video of the moment was shared by PM Modi on his official Instagram handle. He is seen outside a local shop engaging in a brief interaction with the vendor. The Prime Minister was also seen distributing the puffed rice-based mixture to locals gathered at the spot. The shop witnessed an unexpected surge of visitors after the Prime Minister's stopover.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>PM Modi, dressed in his signature attire: a white kurta, a dark blue pinstriped waistcoat, and a bright red scarf with a white BJP lotus symbol embroidered on it, can be heard saying: "Kitne ka hota hai jhalmuri?" (How much is it for?) Surrounding him was an enthusiastic crowd of people, mostly women in the foreground. They were holding up their smartphones to take photos or videos of the moment. Prime Minister Modi was seen reaching into the pocket of his Nehru jacket to pay as the shopkeeper prepared the jhalmuri. The vendor then asked, “Aap pyaaz khaate hain? (Do you eat onions)”, to which the PM replied, “Haan, pyaaz khaate hain. Dimag nhi khaate bass. (Yes, I do eat onions, but I don't eat anybody's head).” Sharing glimpses of the moment on the social media, PM Modi wrote: "In between four rallies across West Bengal on a packed Sunday, had some delicious Jhalmuri in Jhargram."&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-issues-last-chance-warning-to-tmc-goons-promises-welfare-push-ahead-of-bengal-polls-1776606649697/amp"><strong>PM Modi issues ‘last chance’ warning to TMC ‘goons’, promises welfare push ahead of Bengal polls</strong></a></p>

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXUC3YjMw0I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<h3>PM Modi issues ‘last chance’ warning to TMC ‘goons’</h3><p>Prime Minister Modi addressed a massive Vijay Sankalp Sabha in four regions in Bengal, where he launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of institutionalising corruption and "Maha Jungle Raj." He warned its alleged “goons and syndicates” to surrender. He issued what he termed a “last chance” and asked them to surrender ahead of the 2026 West Bengal elections. PM Modi also lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee-led party over the issue of women's reservation. "We want to caution the sisters of Bengal about the misdeeds of the TMC. The TMC came to power talking about 'Ma, Mati, Manush' but the TMC has betrayed the mothers. In the recent past, you also saw in Parliament that the BJP tried to ensure that reservation for women in elections starting from 2029 begins, but the anti-women TMC opposed it in Parliament," he said.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-of-india-rejects-relief-for-deleted-voters-in-west-bengal-sir-process-1776089269403"><strong>Supreme Court of India rejects relief for deleted voters in West Bengal SIR process</strong></a></p><h2>Which day will decide the fate of West Bengal Assembly?</h2><p>The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that polling for all 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes is set for May 4, with the entire election process expected to conclude by May 6. The state has a total electorate of over 6.45 crore voters. According to the ECI, the first phase will cover 152 constituencies. The second phase will include 142 constituencies. In the last West Bengal Assembly election held in 2021, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, won a decisive landslide victory.</p>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a brief break during his West Bengal rally tour to enjoy Jhalmuri in Jhargram, interacting with locals. Earlier, he addressed multiple rallies, strongly criticizing the TMC सरकार over corruption and women’s rights ahead of the 2026 elections.

After wrapping up a power-packed schedule of four back-to-back rallies in Purulia, Jhargram, Medinipur and Bishnupur, ahead of the high-stake West Bengal Assembly Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen engaging in a light-hearted moment as he relished Bengal's popular street snack ‘jhalmuri.’ The video of the moment was shared by PM Modi on his official Instagram handle. He is seen outside a local shop engaging in a brief interaction with the vendor. The Prime Minister was also seen distributing the puffed rice-based mixture to locals gathered at the spot. The shop witnessed an unexpected surge of visitors after the Prime Minister's stopover. PM Modi, dressed in his signature attire: a white kurta, a dark blue pinstriped waistcoat, and a bright red scarf with a white BJP lotus symbol embroidered on it, can be heard saying: "Kitne ka hota hai jhalmuri?" (How much is it for?) Surrounding him was an enthusiastic crowd of people, mostly women in the foreground. They were holding up their smartphones to take photos or videos of the moment. Prime Minister Modi was seen reaching into the pocket of his Nehru jacket to pay as the shopkeeper prepared the jhalmuri. The vendor then asked, “Aap pyaaz khaate hain? (Do you eat onions)”, to which the PM replied, “Haan, pyaaz khaate hain. Dimag nhi khaate bass. (Yes, I do eat onions, but I don't eat anybody's head).” Sharing glimpses of the moment on the social media, PM Modi wrote: "In between four rallies across West Bengal on a packed Sunday, had some delicious Jhalmuri in Jhargram." Also Read: PM Modi issues ‘last chance’ warning to TMC ‘goons’, promises welfare push ahead of Bengal polls

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a brief break during his West Bengal rally tour to enjoy Jhalmuri in Jhargram, interacting with locals. Earlier, he addressed multiple rallies, strongly criticizing the TMC सरकार over corruption and women’s rights ahead of the 2026 elections.</p>

'I eat onions..': PM Modi's 'jhalmuri' break amid West Bengal Assembly election campaign goes viral - VIDEO

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal on Sunday, alleging that it had earmarked around Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas in the state while neglecting funding for North Bengal’s development. The PM said that the TMC was “busy appeasing its vote bank” and neglected the needs of the region during crisis situations.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Addressing a rally in Siliguri, PM Modi said, “The budget of the ruthless TMC government is also an example of discrimination against North Bengal. This ruthless government allocated a budget of approximately Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas. But the Bengal government does not allocate enough budget for the development of such a vast part of North Bengal. The TMC is busy day and night appeasing its own special vote bank. When heavy rains wreaked havoc in many districts of North Bengal, there was chaos everywhere. At that time, the ruthless TMC government was celebrating in Kolkata. TMC is an anti-North Bengal party.”&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-restore-most-of-its-damaged-refinery-facilities-within-two-months-deputy-oil-minister-1775994877040"><strong>Iran to restore most of its damaged refinery facilities within two months: Deputy oil minister</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>PM Modi asserted that West Bengal is “determined for change,” claiming that TMC will be voted out in the upcoming assembly elections.&nbsp;</p><p>“Yesterday I visited different parts of Bengal. What I saw there was the enthusiasm, energy, and excitement among the youth, mothers, sisters, and elderly people, as well as villagers, which was remarkable. People had come after facing great difficulties and had walked for miles. Bengal is now determined for change. This time, it is certain that the TMC will go,” PM Modi said.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pahalgam-massacre-enhanced-pak-s-image-globally-lashkar-commander-exposes-islamabad-s-role-in-killings-1775932347779"><strong>‘Pahalgam massacre enhanced Pak’s image globally’: Lashkar commander exposes Islamabad’s role in killings</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"TMC people, listen carefully. After May 4th, the BJP government will be formed, and they will have to give an account of every moment of the past fifteen years. They will have to give an account of every penny,” he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said the massive turnout at his rally reflects growing public anger against the ruling party in West Bengal.&nbsp;</p><p>“This sight today gives me full confidence that it is going to shake the sleep of TMC. This rally in Siliguri has decided the farewell of TMC’s so-called jungle raj. Across Bengal, only one slogan is echoing, only one slogan is being heard. The cruel TMC government has completed 15 years. In these 15 years, you have seen destruction. Today, one by one, I will place before you the entire list of TMC’s sins and its dark deeds,” he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-clearing-hormuz-of-mines-iran-says-us-warship-made-u-turn-after-warning-1775922887251"><strong>Trump says ‘clearing’ Hormuz of mines, CENTCOM confirms; Iran claims US warship made U-turn after warning</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“For the BJP, the Siliguri Corridor is a corridor of nation, security, and prosperity. This project will greatly boost connectivity, trade, and tourism in Bengal and Sikkim... TMC obstructs every project of the central government,” PM Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

Addressing a rally in Siliguri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the TMC government allocated a budget of approximately Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas, but does not allocate enough budget for the development of a vast part of North Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal on Sunday, alleging that it had earmarked around Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas in the state while neglecting funding for North Bengal’s development. The PM said that the TMC was “busy appeasing its vote bank” and neglected the needs of the region during crisis situations. Addressing a rally in Siliguri, PM Modi said, “The budget of the ruthless TMC government is also an example of discrimination against North Bengal. This ruthless government allocated a budget of approximately Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas. But the Bengal government does not allocate enough budget for the development of such a vast part of North Bengal. The TMC is busy day and night appeasing its own special vote bank. When heavy rains wreaked havoc in many districts of North Bengal, there was chaos everywhere. At that time, the ruthless TMC government was celebrating in Kolkata. TMC is an anti-North Bengal party.” Also Read: Iran to restore most of its damaged refinery facilities within two months: Deputy oil minister PM Modi asserted that West Bengal is “determined for change,” claiming that TMC will be voted out in the upcoming assembly elections. “Yesterday I visited different parts of Bengal. What I saw there was the enthusiasm, energy, and excitement among the youth, mothers, sisters, and elderly people, as well as villagers, which was remarkable. People had come after facing great difficulties and had walked for miles. Bengal is now determined for change. This time, it is certain that the TMC will go,” PM Modi said. Also Read: ‘Pahalgam massacre enhanced Pak’s image globally’: Lashkar commander exposes Islamabad’s role in killings "TMC people, listen carefully. After May 4th, the BJP government will be formed, and they will have to give an account of every moment of the past fifteen years. They will have to give an account of every penny,” he said. He said the massive turnout at his rally reflects growing public anger against the ruling party in West Bengal. “This sight today gives me full confidence that it is going to shake the sleep of TMC. This rally in Siliguri has decided the farewell of TMC’s so-called jungle raj. Across Bengal, only one slogan is echoing, only one slogan is being heard. The cruel TMC government has completed 15 years. In these 15 years, you have seen destruction. Today, one by one, I will place before you the entire list of TMC’s sins and its dark deeds,” he said. Also Read: Trump says ‘clearing’ Hormuz of mines, CENTCOM confirms; Iran claims US warship made U-turn after warning “For the BJP, the Siliguri Corridor is a corridor of nation, security, and prosperity. This project will greatly boost connectivity, trade, and tourism in Bengal and Sikkim... TMC obstructs every project of the central government,” PM Modi said.

<p>Addressing a rally in Siliguri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the TMC government allocated a budget of approximately Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas, but does not allocate enough budget for the development of a vast part of North Bengal.</p>

‘TMC govt allocated Rs 6,000 crore for madrasas, neglected funding for North Bengal’: PM Modi

<p>Nearly 5.18 crore names have been removed from electoral rolls across 12 states and union territories after the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ended. Election Commission data indicated that around 60 lakh dead names have been omitted.</p><p><br>Following the second phase of the exercise, the voter lists contain 45.81 crore names, representing a 10.2 per cent reduction. Based on the EC's data, a total of 66,88,636 deceased voters were removed from electoral rolls, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, as many as 25.47 lakh. In addition, nearly 24.16 lakh names of deceased individuals were also removed from the voter lists of West Bengal, as per the PTI report.</p><p><br>With the final electoral rolls for Uttar Pradesh released on Friday, the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has now concluded. This phase was conducted across multiple regions, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa.</p><h3>40 crore voters in third phase</h3><p>In the third phase, around 40 crore voters will be covered across 17 states and five Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand.</p><p><br>The third and final phase is expected to begin once elections conclude in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. Polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry took place on April 9 and saw record voter turnout, while Tamil Nadu is scheduled for a single-phase election on April 23.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, West Bengal is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and the vote counting for all five assemblies will be held on May 4.<br>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read</strong>: ‘<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-tmc-s-lies-and-loot-shop-will-close-soon-pm-modi-targets-mamata-in-bengal-rally-1775920802160">TMC’s lies and loot shop will close soon’: PM Modi targets Mamata in Bengal rally</a></p>

The voter lists contain 45.81 crore names, which accounts for a 10.2 per cent reduction. Based on the EC's data, a total of 66,88,636 deceased voters were removed from electoral rolls, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, as many as 25.47 lakh.

Nearly 5.18 crore names have been removed from electoral rolls across 12 states and union territories after the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ended. Election Commission data indicated that around 60 lakh dead names have been omitted. Following the second phase of the exercise, the voter lists contain 45.81 crore names, representing a 10.2 per cent reduction. Based on the EC's data, a total of 66,88,636 deceased voters were removed from electoral rolls, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, as many as 25.47 lakh. In addition, nearly 24.16 lakh names of deceased individuals were also removed from the voter lists of West Bengal, as per the PTI report. With the final electoral rolls for Uttar Pradesh released on Friday, the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has now concluded. This phase was conducted across multiple regions, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. 40 crore voters in third phase In the third phase, around 40 crore voters will be covered across 17 states and five Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand. The third and final phase is expected to begin once elections conclude in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. Polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry took place on April 9 and saw record voter turnout, while Tamil Nadu is scheduled for a single-phase election on April 23. Meanwhile, West Bengal is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and the vote counting for all five assemblies will be held on May 4. Also read: ‘TMC’s lies and loot shop will close soon’: PM Modi targets Mamata in Bengal rally

<p>The voter lists contain 45.81 crore names, which accounts for a 10.2 per cent reduction. Based on the EC's data, a total of 66,88,636 deceased voters were removed from electoral rolls, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, as many as 25.47 lakh.</p>

Over 5 crore names cut from voter rolls across 12 states after SIR phase 2

<p>Reports of massive political violence have emerged from India’s eastern state of West Bengal, where crucial local elections are taking place ahead of the general election slated to be held next year. Zee News reported at least 14&nbsp;people dead as rural West Bengal voted for the&nbsp;three-tier panchayat elections. Among the dead were six workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress, one worker each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Left, Congress and ISF, and another person whose political identity could not be known. Although, the BJP claimed that the death toll had reached 15, but there was no such confirmation from the state authorities till the filing of this report.</p>

<p>The state has been reeling under political violence since the elections were announced on June 8.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ruling and opposition parties trade barbs</strong></h2>

<p>West Bengal, which is ruled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress (TMC), has had a long history of political violence taking place during election season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which sits in opposition in the state, has long accused the TMC of harbouring political ‘goons’.</p>

<p>As reports of violence surfaced in the state on Saturday, BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar accused a TMC candidate of murdering an independent Muslim candidate.<br />
<br />
Majumdar tweeted, “Bloodshed in West Bengal in Panchayat Election. TMC candidate killed an independent Muslim candidate in North 24, Parganas dist. TMC knows only language of violence, murder and booth capturing. CM @MamataOfficial along with @CEOWestBengal is responsible for these murders."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reports of mass booth capturing, violence, hurling bombs and murders are being reported from West Bengal on Panchayat election day.<br />
<br />
This is deeply concerning. This is one of darkest chapter in electoral history of WB. The situation is highly volatile. <a href="https://twitter.com/CEOWestBengal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CEOWestBengal</a> must ACT. <a href="https://t.co/ZuZL88vpvf">pic.twitter.com/ZuZL88vpvf</a></p>
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VanathiBJP/status/1677555141292204032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>BJP West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari said that what was happening in the state was not an election but "death."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | West Bengal panchayat election | West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "This is not an election, this is death. There is a fire of violence across the state. Central forces have not been deployed. CCTVs are not operating. This is not voting but… <a href="https://t.co/7XOAiG4V1S">pic.twitter.com/7XOAiG4V1S</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1677568846990049282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A TMC goon is sitting inside the polling booth and directing the voters where to caste the vote…<br />
<br />
Is this free and fair election CM <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MamataOfficial</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/CEOWestBengal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CEOWestBengal</a> ?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://t.co/HQpzI979vO">pic.twitter.com/HQpzI979vO</a></p>
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSukantaBJP/status/1677530899964108800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, state minister Shashi Panja blamed the violence on the ‘incompetence’ of central forces, which are deployed by the union government, currently led by BJP, to maintain law and order, especially during elections.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India received $50 billion in new investment in 2022 - Third highest in the world</strong></p>

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<p>Panja said, “TMC workers have been murdered, two have been shot at. Those who were asking for deployment, saying that these central forces are the guardians of peace — the guardians have failed, faltered to protect the rights of citizens."</p>

<h2><strong>‘Ballots, not bullets’</strong></h2>

<p>State Governor CV Ananda Bose also condemned the violence, saying that an election day should be considered “most sacred for democracy” and that elections should take place through ballots and not bullets.</p>

<p>"I have been in the field right from the morning...People requested me and stopped my motorcade on the way. They told me about the murders happening around them, told me about the goons not allowing them to go to the polling booths...It should cause concern to all of us. This is the most sacred day for democracy...The election must be through ballots and not bullets," he was quoted as saying by local media.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-says-indian-govt-wrong-about-going-soft-on-khalistan-612685"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;India blasts Canada for its soft response on terror in name of freedom of expression</strong></a></p>

<p>While political violence in the world’s largest democracy has reduced over the past two decades, it still remains rampant in West Bengal. In previous local polls held in 2018, TMC won uncontested 34 per cent of the total seats after a series of deadly political violence against opponents.</p>

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Reports of massive political violence have emerged from India’s eastern state of West Bengal, where crucial local elections are taking place ahead of the general election slated to be held next year.

Reports of massive political violence have emerged from India’s eastern state of West Bengal, where crucial local elections are taking place ahead of the general election slated to be held next year. Zee News reported at least 14 people dead as rural West Bengal voted for the three-tier panchayat elections. Among the dead were six workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress, one worker each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Left, Congress and ISF, and another person whose political identity could not be known. Although, the BJP claimed that the death toll had reached 15, but there was no such confirmation from the state authorities till the filing of this report. The state has been reeling under political violence since the elections were announced on June 8. Ruling and opposition parties trade barbs West Bengal, which is ruled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress (TMC), has had a long history of political violence taking place during election season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which sits in opposition in the state, has long accused the TMC of harbouring political ‘goons’. As reports of violence surfaced in the state on Saturday, BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar accused a TMC candidate of murdering an independent Muslim candidate. Majumdar tweeted, “Bloodshed in West Bengal in Panchayat Election. TMC candidate killed an independent Muslim candidate in North 24, Parganas dist. TMC knows only language of violence, murder and booth capturing. CM @MamataOfficial along with @CEOWestBengal is responsible for these murders." Reports of mass booth capturing, violence, hurling bombs and murders are being reported from West Bengal on Panchayat election day. This is deeply concerning. This is one of darkest chapter in electoral history of WB. The situation is highly volatile. @CEOWestBengal must ACT. pic.twitter.com/ZuZL88vpvf — Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) July 8, 2023 × BJP West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari said that what was happening in the state was not an election but "death." #WATCH | West Bengal panchayat election | West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "This is not an election, this is death. There is a fire of violence across the state. Central forces have not been deployed. CCTVs are not operating. This is not voting but… pic.twitter.com/7XOAiG4V1S — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2023 × A TMC goon is sitting inside the polling booth and directing the voters where to caste the vote… Is this free and fair election CM @MamataOfficial / @CEOWestBengal ? pic.twitter.com/HQpzI979vO — Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) July 8, 2023 × Meanwhile, state minister Shashi Panja blamed the violence on the ‘incompetence’ of central forces, which are deployed by the union government, currently led by BJP, to maintain law and order, especially during elections. Watch: India received $50 billion in new investment in 2022 - Third highest in the world × Panja said, “TMC workers have been murdered, two have been shot at. Those who were asking for deployment, saying that these central forces are the guardians of peace — the guardians have failed, faltered to protect the rights of citizens." ‘Ballots, not bullets’ State Governor CV Ananda Bose also condemned the violence, saying that an election day should be considered “most sacred for democracy” and that elections should take place through ballots and not bullets. "I have been in the field right from the morning...People requested me and stopped my motorcade on the way. They told me about the murders happening around them, told me about the goons not allowing them to go to the polling booths...It should cause concern to all of us. This is the most sacred day for democracy...The election must be through ballots and not bullets," he was quoted as saying by local media. Also read: India blasts Canada for its soft response on terror in name of freedom of expression While political violence in the world’s largest democracy has reduced over the past two decades, it still remains rampant in West Bengal. In previous local polls held in 2018, TMC won uncontested 34 per cent of the total seats after a series of deadly political violence against opponents. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India: Bullets defeat ballots? 14 killed in West Bengal on local elections day

<p>After the ban imposed on her by the Election Commission (EC) ended on Tuesday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that she is a street fighter and fights from the battleground.</p>

<p>Speaking at a public rally in Barasat after her 24-hour campaigning ban ended, Banerjee said: "They have crores of money and have come to elections. You have money, you have mediators, you have hotels, you have all agencies of India. But even then do you know why you will lose? Because I am a street fighter, I fight from the battleground. I do not fight by giving instructions from above."</p>

<p>She also questioned why the BJP was rigorously trying to stop her with the help of all central institutions and agencies.</p>

<p>"From Delhi to entire India, BJP is taking all institutions to ensure I am stopped, Bengal is being humiliated and captured. I say clearly, we will not allow Bengal to become Gujarat; Bengal can't become Gujarat. There is no benefit in stopping me. If I am attacked, I can attack in reply as well," she added.</p>

<p>"During the last 24 hours, I could not campaign for elections and cannot campaign for 72 hours before the fifth phase. This means for four days, on one side, BJP will campaign, and I won't be able to do the same for Trinamool Congress (TMC). I leave the thinking to the public."</p>

<p>Challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that he is claiming that she has not done anything for the Matua community.</p>

<p>"I accept the challenge. If I have not done anything, I will resign from politics and if you are spewing lies without doing anything then you will do situps by holding your ears," she mentioned.</p>

<p>"Mamata Banerjee has talked about everyone. Mamata Banerjee is not BJP. Even if my party worker dies, I feel as much sad if a person from another party dies. I do not do politics with lies," she further said.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Mamata, who arrived at the Mayo road venue in the morning and began her sit-in next to a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Kolkata, turned to paints and canvases and produced at least two paintings while sitting on her wheelchair as she protested</p>

<p>The Election Commission had on Monday banned Mamata from campaigning in the ongoing state elections for 24 hours and said she had made "highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with the serious potential of the breakdown of law and order and thereby affecting the election process".</p>

<p>The fifth phase of the eight-phased assembly elections will take place on Saturday.</p>


After the ban imposed on her by the Election Commission (EC) ended on Tuesday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that she is a street fighter and fights from the battleground.

After the ban imposed on her by the Election Commission (EC) ended on Tuesday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that she is a street fighter and fights from the battleground. Speaking at a public rally in Barasat after her 24-hour campaigning ban ended, Banerjee said: "They have crores of money and have come to elections. You have money, you have mediators, you have hotels, you have all agencies of India. But even then do you know why you will lose? Because I am a street fighter, I fight from the battleground. I do not fight by giving instructions from above." She also questioned why the BJP was rigorously trying to stop her with the help of all central institutions and agencies. "From Delhi to entire India, BJP is taking all institutions to ensure I am stopped, Bengal is being humiliated and captured. I say clearly, we will not allow Bengal to become Gujarat; Bengal can't become Gujarat. There is no benefit in stopping me. If I am attacked, I can attack in reply as well," she added. "During the last 24 hours, I could not campaign for elections and cannot campaign for 72 hours before the fifth phase. This means for four days, on one side, BJP will campaign, and I won't be able to do the same for Trinamool Congress (TMC). I leave the thinking to the public." Challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that he is claiming that she has not done anything for the Matua community. "I accept the challenge. If I have not done anything, I will resign from politics and if you are spewing lies without doing anything then you will do situps by holding your ears," she mentioned. "Mamata Banerjee has talked about everyone. Mamata Banerjee is not BJP. Even if my party worker dies, I feel as much sad if a person from another party dies. I do not do politics with lies," she further said. Earlier in the day, Mamata, who arrived at the Mayo road venue in the morning and began her sit-in next to a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Kolkata, turned to paints and canvases and produced at least two paintings while sitting on her wheelchair as she protested The Election Commission had on Monday banned Mamata from campaigning in the ongoing state elections for 24 hours and said she had made "highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with the serious potential of the breakdown of law and order and thereby affecting the election process". The fifth phase of the eight-phased assembly elections will take place on Saturday.

India polls: 'I am a street fighter, I fight from battleground', Mamata to BJP after EC ban

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the people of West Bengal have cleaned bowled TMC and hit so many fours and sixes that BJP has already scored a century of seats in the last four phases of the Assembly polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing a public meeting in Bardhaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am surprised from where she gets so much bitterness. Didi`s anger, bitterness, and frustration have been increasing. This is because people have cleaned the TMC in the last four phases. The people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in these phases that BJP has already scored a century."</p>

<p>"Those who wanted to play 'khela' with you, people have now played `khela` with them. Didi has been cleaned bowled by the people of Nandigram and Bengal. The people of Bengal failed the plan of Didi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was preparing to hand over the captaincy of the party to Bhaipo (nephew), but the public caught her `khela` in time," said Prime Minister Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the Congress and the Left regime in West Bengal, the Prime Minister said, "Didi`s entire team has been asked to go out of the field by the people of Bengal. She knows once Congress and Left went out of Bengal, they never came back. Didi once you go, will never come back again. TMC is going to lose."Polling for the first four phases has been concluded in West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fifth and sixth phases of the ongoing elections will take place on April 17 and April 22. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the people of West Bengal have cleaned bowled TMC and hit so many fours and sixes that BJP has already scored a century of seats in the last four phases of the Assembly polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the people of West Bengal have cleaned bowled TMC and hit so many fours and sixes that BJP has already scored a century of seats in the last four phases of the Assembly polls. Addressing a public meeting in Bardhaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am surprised from where she gets so much bitterness. Didi`s anger, bitterness, and frustration have been increasing. This is because people have cleaned the TMC in the last four phases. The people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in these phases that BJP has already scored a century." "Those who wanted to play 'khela' with you, people have now played `khela` with them. Didi has been cleaned bowled by the people of Nandigram and Bengal. The people of Bengal failed the plan of Didi. She was preparing to hand over the captaincy of the party to Bhaipo (nephew), but the public caught her `khela` in time," said Prime Minister Modi. Referring to the Congress and the Left regime in West Bengal, the Prime Minister said, "Didi`s entire team has been asked to go out of the field by the people of Bengal. She knows once Congress and Left went out of Bengal, they never came back. Didi once you go, will never come back again. TMC is going to lose."Polling for the first four phases has been concluded in West Bengal. The fifth and sixth phases of the ongoing elections will take place on April 17 and April 22. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

India polls: Didi clean-bowled, BJP has scored century in Bengal, says PM Modi

<p>A three-cornered battle is on the cards in 31 assembly seats that are set to go to polls on Tuesday in the <strong>third phase</strong> of Bengal elections, with the BJP seeking to breach TMC fortresses, and the<strong> Left Front-ISF-Congress</strong> alliance hoping to make a mark in areas, where identity politics has gained ground.</p>

<p>More than 78.5 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise and decide the fate of 205 candidates -- prominent among them being BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, TMC minister Ashima Patra and CPM leader Kanti Ganguly in three districts - <strong>Howrah, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas</strong>.</p>

<p>Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful voting, with 618 companies of CAPF deployed to guard 10,871 polling stations, all of which have been marked "sensitive" by the Election Commission. State police forces will also be deputed at strategic locations to aid the CAPF.</p>

<p>With the COVID-19 situation in the state taking a turn for the worse, polling will be held amid strict adherence to health protocols across all 31 constituencies -- 16 in South 24 Parganas (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I).</p>

<p>The TMC had won all but one seat of these 31 segments in the 2016 assembly elections. The Congress had managed to bag Amta constituency in Howrah district.</p>

<p>The<strong> Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha</strong> constituency, held by political heavyweight and TMC <strong>MP Abhishek Banerjee</strong>, will be closely watched, as four of its seven assembly segments will go to polls in the third phase, and the rest will follow suit in the fourth phase on April 10.</p>

<p>The Indian Secular Front (ISF), floated by Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui, has turned out to be a cause of concern for the TMC, as the outfit holds sway in several parts of South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts.</p>

<p>TMC supremo <strong>Mamata Banerjee</strong>, having sensed the ISF's potential to eat into her party's minority vote base, had been hitting out at Siddiqui, alleging that he has been propped up by the BJP, a charge vehemently denied by the cleric, who is taking on the ruling party with gusto.</p>

<p>Clashes between the ISF and TMC supporters have been reported from Bhangar and Canning East in South 24 Parganas, as the Siddiqui-led party gears up to give the ruling dispensation a tough fight in association with the Left Front and the Congress.</p>

<p>Adding to the ruling camp's woes, the BJP has fielded sitting MLA and TMC turncoat Dipak Halder, who wields considerable influence in the area.</p>

<p>Sharpening its attack on the TMC over issues ranging from corruption to political violence, the BJP held power-packed campaigns across the three districts over the past few days, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who addressed several public meetings.</p>

<p>Besides, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP <strong>Nadda</strong>, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <strong>Yogi Adityanath</strong> and Union minister<strong> Smriti Irani</strong> held a slew of rallies in these areas.</p>

<p>The TMC chief, who is still recuperating from her injuries, traversed the length and breadth of the three districts on her wheelchair, highlighting her government's development schemes, and hurling barbs at the BJP over price rise, and other central government policies.</p>


A three-cornered battle is on the cards in 31 assembly seats that are set to go to polls on Tuesday in the third phase of Bengal elections, with the BJP seeking to breach TMC fortresses, and the Left Front-ISF-Congress alliance hoping to make a mark in areas, where identity politics has gained ground.

A three-cornered battle is on the cards in 31 assembly seats that are set to go to polls on Tuesday in the third phase of Bengal elections, with the BJP seeking to breach TMC fortresses, and the Left Front-ISF-Congress alliance hoping to make a mark in areas, where identity politics has gained ground. More than 78.5 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise and decide the fate of 205 candidates -- prominent among them being BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, TMC minister Ashima Patra and CPM leader Kanti Ganguly in three districts - Howrah, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas. Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful voting, with 618 companies of CAPF deployed to guard 10,871 polling stations, all of which have been marked "sensitive" by the Election Commission. State police forces will also be deputed at strategic locations to aid the CAPF. With the COVID-19 situation in the state taking a turn for the worse, polling will be held amid strict adherence to health protocols across all 31 constituencies -- 16 in South 24 Parganas (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I). The TMC had won all but one seat of these 31 segments in the 2016 assembly elections. The Congress had managed to bag Amta constituency in Howrah district. The Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, held by political heavyweight and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, will be closely watched, as four of its seven assembly segments will go to polls in the third phase, and the rest will follow suit in the fourth phase on April 10. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), floated by Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui, has turned out to be a cause of concern for the TMC, as the outfit holds sway in several parts of South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts. TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, having sensed the ISF's potential to eat into her party's minority vote base, had been hitting out at Siddiqui, alleging that he has been propped up by the BJP, a charge vehemently denied by the cleric, who is taking on the ruling party with gusto. Clashes between the ISF and TMC supporters have been reported from Bhangar and Canning East in South 24 Parganas, as the Siddiqui-led party gears up to give the ruling dispensation a tough fight in association with the Left Front and the Congress. Adding to the ruling camp's woes, the BJP has fielded sitting MLA and TMC turncoat Dipak Halder, who wields considerable influence in the area. Sharpening its attack on the TMC over issues ranging from corruption to political violence, the BJP held power-packed campaigns across the three districts over the past few days, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who addressed several public meetings. Besides, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Smriti Irani held a slew of rallies in these areas. The TMC chief, who is still recuperating from her injuries, traversed the length and breadth of the three districts on her wheelchair, highlighting her government's development schemes, and hurling barbs at the BJP over price rise, and other central government policies.

India polls: Bengal gets ready for third phase as BJP seeks to dislodge TMC

<p>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced.</p>

<p>The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month.</p>

<p>The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal.</p>

<p>An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said.</p>

<p>Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member.</p>

<p>In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings.</p>

<p>The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.</p>


The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the killings of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced. The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month. The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal. An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said. Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member. In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the killings. The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment seeks report from Bengal govt on Dalit killings

<p>The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am.</p>

<p>State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress.</p>

<p>The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said.</p>

<p>According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said.</p>

<p>The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats.</p>

<p>A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it.</p>

<p>The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file.</p>

<p>The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said.</p>

<p>The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said.</p>

<p>The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state.</p>

<p>The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each.</p>

<p>In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said.</p>

<p>In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account.</p>

<p>In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats.</p>

<p>The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said.</p>

<p>In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats.</p>

<p>In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats</p>

<p>In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats</p>

<p>In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34.</p>

<p>TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area.</p>

<p>Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes.</p>

<p>"We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official.</p>

<p>The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14.</p>

<p>Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats.</p>

<p>"Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said.</p>

<p>Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce".</p>

<p>The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>"People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.&nbsp</p>

<p>The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.&nbsp</p>


The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am

The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am. State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress. The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said. According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state. The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said. The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats. A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it. The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file. The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22. The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said. The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said. The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state. The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each. In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said. In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account. In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats. The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said. In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats. In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34. TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area. Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes. "We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official. The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14. Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats. "Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said. Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce". The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said. The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.

West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival