Early trends from multiple districts show BJP leading across key constituencies, as Suvendu Adhikari projects a decisive shift in Bengal’s political landscape during counting day.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari IANS
As counting got underway in West Bengal on Monday, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari struck a confident note, claiming that the BJP is on course to form the next government in the state, while the ruling Trinamool Congress may fail to touch the 100-seat mark.
The early hours of counting for 293 Assembly constituencies have thrown up trends that appear to back the BJP leader’s assertion, particularly in key districts where the party is leading across multiple seats, hinting at a wider shift in voter preference.
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Speaking to IANS, Adhikari said, “The BJP is forming the government. The Trinamool Congress will win some seats, but as I have been saying, they will not reach three figures. They may secure a decent number, but not 100. The situation will become clearer once half of the counting is completed.”
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Referring to his own contest from Nandigram, Adhikari indicated a stronger performance compared to the last Assembly election. “I am receiving more votes compared to the 2021 elections. Earlier, I had around 3,000-3,500 votes by the third round; now it is close to 7,000. The margin is increasing,” he said.
He also cited vote share figures to underline his claim. “The BJP got 45 per cent of the vote and the Trinamool Congress got 38 per cent. The message is clear, and the trend is clear,” he added, expressing confidence that his lead would cross 10,000 votes in the coming rounds.
According to trends available till around 10.30 am, there are four districts where Trinamool Congress candidates were not leading in any constituency. These include Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in North Bengal, and Jhargram and West Burdwan in the southern part of the state.
In Jhargram district, BJP candidates were leading in all four Assembly segments — Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram and Binpur (ST). The region, part of the tribal-dominated Jangalmahal belt, has seen shifting political loyalties over the years, moving from Left dominance to Trinamool control after 2011.
Similarly, in Alipurduar district, the BJP was ahead in all five constituencies — Kumargram (ST), Kalchini (ST), Alipurduar, Falakata (SC) and Madarihat (ST).
Jalpaiguri district, comprising seven constituencies including Dhupguri (SC), Maynaguri (SC), Jalpaiguri (SC), Rajganj (SC), Dabgram-Phulbari, Mal (ST) and Nagrakata (ST), also showed BJP leads across the board. The Terai and Dooars belt, known for its tea gardens, has a significant tribal and Rajbangshi voter base.
In West Burdwan, BJP candidates were leading in all seven Assembly segments — Pandabeswar, Durgapur (Purba), Durgapur (Paschim), Raniganj, Jamuria, Asansol (Dakshin) and Asansol (Uttar). In Asansol (Dakshin), BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul was comfortably ahead, as per the trends.
During the campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had predicted that there would be several districts where the Trinamool Congress would fail to open its account. Early counting trends appear to reflect that possibility in a few pockets.
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