West Bengal is poised for a crucial political verdict on May 4 following a high-decibel, month-long campaign, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking to retain power and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempting a historic breakthrough in the state.
Counting of votes will commence at 8 am across 77 centres under stringent, multi-layered security arrangements, covering 293 of the 294 Assembly constituencies. The Election Commission countermanded polling in the Falta seat in South 24 Parganas district, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of democratic process”. Fresh polling there is scheduled for May 21, with counting on May 24.
The two-phase polling, held on April 23 and April 29, witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout of 92.47 per cent — the highest recorded in the state since Independence. Repolling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas concluded on Saturday with around 87 per cent turnout, adding to the intense anticipation ahead of the results.
The electoral contest has largely crystallised into a bipolar fight between the TMC and the BJP, both of which have exuded confidence about their electoral prospects. At the same time, the Left Front and the Congress are watching keenly, hoping to regain lost ground after their near wipeout in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Security has been a defining feature of this election cycle. Over 2.5 lakh central paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the state, supplemented by a reshuffled state police force. Authorities reported minimal violence during polling, with no fatalities — a significant departure from the state’s recent electoral history.
Another defining aspect of the election has been the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, conducted for the first time in two decades. The exercise led to the deletion of over nine million voters, triggering political debate over its potential impact on electoral outcomes. Analysts say the full implications of the revision will only become clear once results are declared.
Also read: Unprecedented move: Re-polling scheduled for Falta constituency
Campaigning witnessed an aggressive push by the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leading rallies and targeting the TMC on issues such as corruption, governance, infiltration, women’s safety and unemployment.
The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party MP Abhishek Banerjee, countered with a campaign centred on regional identity, allegations of voter harassment during the roll revision process and its governance record. The party also invoked the “outsider versus insider” narrative, accusing the BJP of undermining Bengal’s interests.
In the run-up to counting, political tensions remained high. TMC leaders, led by Mamata Banerjee, visited strongrooms in Kolkata alleging possible tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Election Commission rejected these claims, asserting that all EVMs are secured under a three-tier system with round-the-clock CCTV surveillance.
“Strongrooms are secured under a three-tier security system, and candidates or their representatives are allowed to keep watch as per protocol. There is no scope for any tampering,” a senior poll official said.
Security has been further tightened ahead of counting, with the deployment of 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers to ensure transparency and adherence to established norms.
In Kolkata, counting for 11 Assembly constituencies will take place across five centres, including Ballygunge Government High School, Netaji Indoor Stadium and Sakhawat Memorial School. The Bhabanipur constituency, where Mamata Banerjee is locked in a prestige contest with senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, is expected to be among the most closely watched seats.
The elections also saw participation from smaller parties, including the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which contested in alliance with the TMC in the Darjeeling hills, as well as outfits such as AIMIM and AJUP in select constituencies.
With over 3.21 crore voters having exercised their franchise, the stage is set for a keenly contested outcome that could either reaffirm the TMC’s hold over the state or mark a significant political shift in favour of the BJP.
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