The West Bengal Minister for Panchayat Affairs & Rural Development and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Firhad Hakim, expressed certainty about the Trinamool Congress securing a strong majority in the upcoming state elections. He dismissed exit polls favoring the BJP and projected over 225 seats for the Trinamool Congress in the 294-seat Assembly.
Hakim stated that the Trinamool Congress forming the state Cabinet for the fourth consecutive term is almost certain. He mentioned that the new Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is expected to take oath on May 6. Despite BJP’s efforts using the Election Commission of India, Hakim believed that the Trinamool Congress would not be easily stopped in West Bengal.
According to Hakim, the high voter turnout, often seen as a sign of anti-incumbency, will not work against the Trinamool Congress this time. He highlighted that the Special Intensive Revision exercise by the Election Commission led to many names being deleted, emphasizing the importance of voting to retain citizenship rights.
The BJP’s state leadership, however, refuted Hakim’s optimism, suggesting it was to motivate party workers. The state vice-president of BJP in West Bengal, Jagannath Chattopadhyay, criticized the ruling party’s leaders for displaying signs of fear of defeat.
