Suvendu Adhikari projects a strong BJP performance in Bengal elections, citing shifting vote patterns and early trends that show a tight contest with the ruling TMC.
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As counting got underway in West Bengal on Monday morning, Leader of Opposition and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari struck an early note of confidence, claiming his party was heading for a decisive win on the back of what he described as a consolidated Hindu vote.
With initial rounds still being counted, Adhikari said trends were pointing towards a strong showing for the BJP across the state, even as a tight contest appeared to be unfolding in some key constituencies.
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Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said the BJP was “forming the government” and projected that the party would cross the 130-seat mark, while the Trinamool Congress would remain around 100. He, however, acknowledged that Bhabanipur could see a close fight in the early rounds.
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“Initially, it will be a neck-to-neck fight in Bhabanipur. In the first round of counting, out of the 14 booths, 6 are Muslim-majority. They used to get 90-95% of those votes last time, but it didn’t happen this time; there is a crack. I am leading on the 8 Hindu booths. From round 9-10 in Bhabanipur, I will be leading,” he said.
Adhikari is contesting from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, making the early trends from these constituencies closely watched.
The BJP leader attributed the party’s early edge to anti-incumbency and what he termed a shift in voting patterns.
“There is anti-incumbency, plus Hindus are consolidated in favour of Lotus. This is a very good signal for us,” he said.
He also claimed that the Trinamool Congress had not received the same level of support in Muslim-majority booths as in the past, suggesting a division in votes in districts such as Malda, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur.
“This time there’s a Hindu consolidation, and the way Muslims vote for TMC, they have not done that this time. Some votes have gone to the pro-Muslim party. BJP has also got some in small amounts,” he added.
As per early inputs around 9 am, the BJP and TMC appeared locked in a close contest, with both parties showing leads in over 100 seats each. Official figures from the Election Commission were awaited at the time of reporting.
Adhikari urged caution over early projections, saying clearer trends would emerge as counting progressed.
“There is no need to be so hasty. I will tell you after 11:00 AM,” he said.
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