Early trends from the counting of votes for West Bengal’s 293 Assembly seats indicate a striking pattern in four districts where the Trinamool Congress is yet to take the lead in any constituency.
These districts are Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in North Bengal, and Jhargram and West Burdwan in the southern part of the state. As per trends available till around 10.30 am, Bharatiya Janata Party candidates are leading across all constituencies in these regions.
Jangalmahal belt shows complete BJP lead
In Jhargram district, which includes Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram and Binpur (ST), BJP candidates are ahead in all four seats. The region, part of the tribal-dominated Jangalmahal belt, has seen shifting political control over the years. Once considered a CPI(M) stronghold, it later turned into a Trinamool bastion after 2011.
The area had also witnessed Maoist influence during the later years of the Left Front government.
North Bengal tea belt swings towards BJP
A similar trend is visible in Alipurduar, where BJP candidates are leading in all five constituencies, including Kumargram (ST), Kalchini (ST), Alipurduar, Falakata (SC) and Madarihat (ST).
In neighbouring Jalpaiguri district, the BJP leads extend across all seven Assembly seats, such as Dhupguri (SC), Maynaguri (SC), Jalpaiguri (SC), Rajganj (SC), Dabgram-Phulbari, Mal (ST) and Nagrakata (ST).
Both districts fall in the Terai and Dooars belt, known for tea gardens and a significant presence of tribal and Rajbangshi voters.
Industrial West Burdwan mirrors trend
In West Burdwan, BJP is leading in all seven constituencies, including Pandabeswar, Durgapur (Purba), Durgapur (Paschim), Raniganj, Jamuria, Asansol (Dakshin) and Asansol (Uttar).
In Asansol (Dakshin), sitting BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul is ahead comfortably. The district, known for its coal mining and steel industries, has emerged as another key zone reflecting the trend.
During campaign rallies ahead of the two-phase polling held on April 23 and April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said there would be districts where Trinamool Congress would fail to open its account.
The early trends appear to reflect that possibility, though final results are awaited.