A scuffle broke out at the counting center of Rastraguru Surendranath College in Barrackpore in North 24 Paraganas district during the counting of votes in the ongoing 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Security forces rushed to the scene to control the matter. Meanwhile, in another incident, clashes broke out between BJP and TMC workers in Dinhata, Cooch Behar. Central forces carried out Operation Lathi to disperse the crowd.
Speaking to reporters in Cooch Behar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalpaiguri Anjali Singh said, “The situation is peaceful with law and order. There is no disturbance or expectation of any disturbance – the situation is peaceful. We have force ready if any situation arises.”
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Outside West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata, BJP workers also raised ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. The West Bengal Chief Minister also alleged irregularities during the vote counting process, saying that counting had been halted in many places and accused poll officials and central forces of behaving unfairly.
She said: “Do not lose heart, we will win after sunset.”
She added: “We are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being announced. Everything is being reported wrongly. The Election Commission is working entirely according to its will, and the central forces are also with it. The police are also working with the central forces.”
On Monday, the BJP crossed the majority mark, derailing Mamata’s hopes of winning a fourth consecutive term.
With this, the BJP is on track to form its first-ever government in West Bengal, breaking a state that saw Trinamool Congress rule for 15 years and communists rule for 34 years before that.
After nearly 94 rallies, 13 padatras and 4 roadshows, Mamata is facing a major setback in the poll results, with the early lead showing the BJP leading in 192 seats as per EC data at 01:35 pm on Monday, while the counting of votes is still underway.
