An old video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reemerged, where he expressed optimism regarding the BJP’s chances in West Bengal. Following the BJP’s triumph in the Bihar Assembly elections, PM Modi had remarked on the potential victory in West Bengal, citing the flow of the Ganga River from Bihar to Bengal. As early results suggest a possible change in power dynamics in West Bengal, discussions around the Prime Minister’s statement have gained traction. The BJP’s vigorous campaign, led by PM Modi’s extensive outreach, seems to have had a significant influence.
If the current trends translate into a final win, it would signify a historic moment as the BJP would form the government in West Bengal for the first time post-Independence. Initial vote count figures from the West Bengal Assembly elections show a notable lead for BJP candidates in a higher number of constituencies compared to the ruling Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission’s website reveals that BJP candidates are ahead in 173 Assembly constituencies, with Trinamool Congress trailing at 90, Left Front -All India Secular Front (AISF) in one, and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) in one.
The trends also highlight specific contests, such as former Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir leading from the Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district. Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is in the lead against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Adhikari, on the other hand, is leading in his native Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, where he is contesting alongside Bhabanipur.
The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, has emphasized the need for political parties to seek permission for victory processions post-results and urged all parties to maintain peace regardless of the outcome. To prevent post-poll violence, the Election Commission of India has decided to keep 700 central forces in West Bengal until further notice, learning from the events of 2021. Additionally, a repolling is scheduled for the entire Assembly constituency at Falta in South 24 Parganas district on May 21, with results to be announced on May 24.
