The clock is ticking for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, which faces a crushing defeat to the BJP in the West Bengal elections as trends show the latter leading by more than a staggering 210 seats.
As counting trends emerge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged candidates and TMC agents to remain vigilant and not leave counting centres, alleging that there is a “game plan” by the BJP and the Election Commission to show that the saffron party is taking the lead in the early counting trends. Track live results of West Bengal elections
She assured TMC supporters not to lose hope, saying the tables would turn after “sunset” and in the 14-18th round of counting.
Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Sunset’ Message
In a video message issued during the counting of votes, the SMC appealed to party workers to remain where they are and not lose morale.
She said: “I appeal to everyone that neither the TMC candidates nor the counting agents abandon the counting centers.”
“Through the SIR, they have tried to steal votes, and even now, we are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being reported. Everything is being reported wrongly. The Election Commission is completely working according to its will, and the central forces are also with them. The police are also working with the central forces. I am telling party workers that there is no need to get discouraged; you will win after sunset. 2-4 rounds of counting have been done, and the count goes to 14-18,” he said. “There is no need to be afraid, there is no need to be afraid,” Mamata Banerjee said in her video message.
Exceeding expectations by exit polls, the BJP led by more than 210 seats in West Bengal, according to data available at 4 pm, while the TMC was far behind and leading in just 63 seats.
If these trends continue, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC will face a major setback in the state it had ruled for three terms since 2011, when it ended the Left Front’s 34-year rule.
Voting in the West Bengal elections was held in two phases – on April 23 and 29 – across 294 seats in the state, however, votes are being counted in 293 constituencies due to the re-poll ordered by Valta.
