‘TMC Will Form Govt With 226+ Seats’: Defiant Mamata Releases Video After Exit Polls Predict BJP Edge

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on recent exit polls, labeling them as "paid and forced" maneuvers orchestrated by the BJP. Speaking with confidence ahead of the official results, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo alleged that these predictions are being dictated directly by the saffron party to influence public perception.

Despite the exit poll projections, Banerjee remains firm on a landslide victory for her party. "We will cross the 226-seat mark," she stated, asserting that the TMC will comfortably return to power by securing more than 226 of the 294 Assembly seats in Bengal.

আমরা মা-মাটি-মানুষের সরকার গঠন করছি।

জয় বাংলা! pic.twitter.com/igVP0FlM9G

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial)

Allegations of Intimidation and Raids

The Chief Minister highlighted a series of administrative actions that she claims were targeted at the opposition. She noted that several individuals vocal against the BJP have been arrested, and reported that multiple raids were carried out in the Bhawanipur area late last night.

Banerjee also raised concerns regarding the role of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the alleged interference of the Union Home Ministry. "Bengal doesn’t support bohiragotos (outsiders). BJP did not have agents of their own so they used central forces as one with direct interference of Amit Shah," she alleged.

Also Read: 'Never Seen This Before': Mamata Banerjee Alleges Atrocities by Central Forces After Casting Vote in Bhabanipur

A Call to Guard the Mandate

With counting day approaching, the TMC leader issued a stern warning to her candidates and workers regarding the safety of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). She urged supporters to stay united and remain vigilant at counting centers to prevent any potential tampering.

"I will also be going in the counting room," Banerjee announced, adding that she has requested several candidates to take to the streets to maintain a presence. She cautioned her team about alleged plans to exchange EVMs en route to counting centers, instructing them: "Do not leave the counting cabins until I say so through a press conference."

Exit Polls' Give BJP the Edge

Exit polls for West Bengal's 294-seat Assembly painted a divided picture, with the majority mark set at 148 seats. Two agencies leaned toward a TMC victory, People's Pulse put the party at 177–187 seats against the BJP's 95–110, while Janmat was even more bullish on the TMC, projecting 195–205 seats compared to 80–90 for the BJP alliance, with the Congress picking up a handful in both estimates.

The majority of pollsters, however, tilted toward the BJP. Matrize gave the party 146–161 seats against the TMC's 125–140, and P-Marq projected a clearer BJP lead of 150–175 seats to the TMC's 118–138. Poll Diary estimated the BJP at 142–171 seats, the TMC at 99–127, and the Congress at 3–5. The most decisive BJP forecast came from Praja Poll, which put the party as high as 178–208 seats, with the TMC trailing at 85–110.

The election was held across two phases on April 23 and April 29, both of which saw exceptionally high voter participation, 93.19 percent and 92.67 percent respectively, the strongest turnout figures the state has recorded since Independence.