BJP ahead in 208 seats in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress in 79

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a significant early lead in the West Bengal Assembly elections, staying ahead in nearly 208 seats as vote counting continued on Monday afternoon.

According to updates from election officials till 9 pm, the BJP was leading in 208 of the 293 seats where counting was underway.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was ahead in 79 seats, while the Left alliance maintained a lead in two constituencies.

The latest news from NDTV and Anandabazar Online also reported the same information. However, it is not known what percentage of votes have been counted in which constituencies.

A majority of 148 seats is required to form a government in the 294-member Assembly. Results from one seat — Falta in South 24 Parganas — have been deferred following serious allegations of violence, EVM tampering, and voter intimidation.

The Election Commission has ordered re-polling in all 285 booths of Falta on May 21.

The high-stakes contest is being closely watched as a potential battle for power between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and the BJP. In the Bhavanipur constituency, Banerjee was locked in a tight race with her former ally and current principal rival, state BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Early trends showed Banerjee holding a lead of around 9,000 votes.

Voting took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, recording a massive 93 percent turnout. Counting began simultaneously at 8 am across 77 centres in 23 districts, including Kolkata. Most exit polls had predicted a strong showing for the BJP and a possible change of guard in the state.

Analysts have described the contest as one of the most intense in West Bengal since independence. The Election Commission has put in place stringent security measures, including a three-tier security cordon at counting centres, CCTV monitoring, videography, and restrictions within a 100-metre radius of counting venues.

A total of 432 observers, along with additional counting and police observers, have been deployed to ensure transparency.

The final outcome is expected to become clearer as counting progresses through the afternoon and evening.