Kolkata, May 4: Counting of votes is underway across 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, with early trends showing the Bharatiya Janata Party in the lead as the state braces for what could be a historic political verdict. Polling in Falta constituency has been deferred to May 21 following an Election Commission repoll order, reducing the seats under count today to 293. Counting began with postal ballots at 8 AM, followed by EVM counting from 8:30 AM, with real-time updates available on ECINET and the official Election Commission portal.
The atmosphere across Kolkata’s counting centres is charged with political tension, reflecting the scale of what is at stake — the All India Trinamool Congress is fighting for a fourth consecutive term while the BJP is attempting to script history by forming its first-ever government in West Bengal.
Security has been tightened significantly across all counting venues in the city. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal assured that uniform arrangements are in place across every centre, backed by a three-tier security system comprising the CRPF, Armed Police, and State Police. “The arrangements are the same everywhere, there are no sensitive or non-sensitive counting centres. All kinds of arrangements are in place. There is no issue at all,” he said. Agarwal also confirmed that generators are on standby to prevent any disruption from power cuts, with the Election Commission having coordinated with the state’s Power Department for uninterrupted supply.
Bhabanipur, the constituency of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the most closely watched seat of this election cycle, saw heavy deployment outside the counting centre at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School. Tensions flared briefly outside the venue as TMC and BJP polling agents traded allegations. TMC agents claimed they were being denied entry with basic items such as files and pens while BJP agents were permitted to carry them in. “Rules should be the same for everyone. We are the people of Mamata Banerjee. There is no bigger identity than this,” a TMC polling agent said. A BJP agent countered that TMC workers were simply not wearing their ID cards and were creating unnecessary trouble, adding: “BJP is winning with a majority in West Bengal and even in Bhabanipur.”
Similar security arrangements were visible at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Senior CRPF officials were seen inspecting strong rooms at Netaji Indoor Stadium, while BJP workers gathered outside several counting centres, stating they were present to “safeguard EVMs.”
The political rhetoric ahead of counting has been predictably combative. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and had predicted she would lose by over 30,000 votes, struck a spiritual note on counting morning. “I offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. God is with us. A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming,” he said. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh pushed back firmly: “Mamata Banerjee is coming back with more than 200 seats.”
Counting is simultaneously underway in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. In West Bengal, the verdict will determine whether Mamata Banerjee becomes the first Chief Minister in the state’s history to win four consecutive terms — or whether the BJP ends 15 years of TMC rule in one of Indian democracy’s most consequential state elections.
This is a developing story.