"We started with a big target but we couldn't reach our target, we have received the mandate to sit in the opposition and we will work on it. we had 3 seats last time now we have gone up.  I thank the people of WB for blessing us with many seats. We will start working for the next election from now. We will go ahead step by step," said Dilip Ghosh.

He added, "People didnt like it that people who came from TMC and joined, maybe that's why they (turncoats) lost. We lost many seats with minimim margin, we will check the mistakes we did and overcome it." Commenting on Mamata 'recovering' from her injury, he said, " I said she will stand on her feet and will stop sitting on a chair after May 2, she proved my statement today."

Addressing a press conference, BJP West Bengal said, "We got the responsibility of becoming the opposition party in WB and we will do everything to serve the people and help Mamata Didi to fight COVID and all other work required to serve the public. We had the limitation that we couldn't reach our voters, we will learn from our mistakes and we will analyze the problems we had in this election."

Alleging violence by TMC goons, BJP added, "Belaghat, Shipur, Durgapur , Bardhan East saw attack by TMC. BJP workers are inside Banquet and TMC goons wielding weapons are waiting for BJP workers to come so that they can attack them. BJP demands the local administration to act quickly and take action on the attacks being done on BJP workers."

"I won't do oath ceremony now due to covid. When I'll do I'll inform people.  I'll congratulate all the people for TMC win. I will request everyone not to do any victory rally," said Mamata.

Alleging cheating in Nandigram, Mamata said, "EC announced the win now they are saying something else. We fight this in court.  We will go to constitutional bench and fight this. I'll accept the desicion of the people of Nandigram. All it matters that we gained landslide victory"

After winning Nandigram, Mamata Banerjee walked outside her residence and told her supporters, "This is Bengal's victory. I would like to thank everyone. I request all to not take out victory processions. I urge everyone to go back to their homes now." Banerjee, who had been bound to her wheelchair throughout the polls due to an injury, was seen walking outside her residence along with nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

Mamata Banerjee wins Nandigram by 1200 votes, as per R. Bangla trends

"I am quitting this space inspite of BJP not crossing 100 seats. It is time for me to hand it over to my colleagues of IPAC.  I am going to take a break and try something new. I won't be involved in day-to-day working of IPAC, will be available for assistance. I may join some party at some time," said Kishore.

Nandigram Official EC Announcement, after 16th round of counting

102751 votes - Shubhendu
103571 votes - Mamata

As per R.Bangla trends, Mamata Banerjee is trailing Suvendu Adhikari by 6 votes after 16 rounds of counting

"Trends are disappointing for Congress we will look into it. Congress does not have a full-time president, Rahul Gandhi should take the charge of the president. A review of Party policies should also be done. Now Rahul Gandhi should be made president without any ifs, buts. Still, there is time to revive Congress, " says Sanjay Nirupam

At the end of 14 rounds, Mamata Banerjee went ahead with 1500 votes. Now 15th round of counting are going on.

Counting has not slowed down, due to heavy load the server has slowed down. Counting is continuing in the constituencies without any let-up: Election Commission of India

• Durgapur Paschim BJP Candidate Laxman Ghorui wins by 15000 votes
• Gopalchandra Saha, BJP Malda seat leading by 12000 votes after 19 rounds of counting
• Sitalkuchi: BJP candidate Baren Chndra Barman leading by 18534 votes after 16 rounds of counting

"We trailing just for 90 seats, the result can change any time. Congress and Left surrendered to stop BJP. From this day, its clear that only two parties will be in bengal, TMC and BJP. Babul Supriyo, Locket chatterjee are trailing just a margin numbers of votes", says Amit Malviya.

Mamata Banerjee leading from Nandigram with 1500 votes after 14 rounds of counting, as per R. Bangla trends 

We really don't want to celebrate but there was an anti-campaign against TMC. Our workers were under pressure. This mandate has given them energy. Still, we're telling them not to celebrate due to COVID situation: Sayan Deb Chatterjee, State Secy, WB Trinamool Youth Congress

BJP CANDIDATE TANMAY GHOSH WINS FROM BISHNUPUR SEAT

Amid her tough fight against ex-aide Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee will brief the media soon, as per sources

TMC's Manoj Tiwari wins from Howrah-Shivpur by 32,339 seats

TMC SAMIR PANJA WON THE SEAT FROM UDAYNARAYANPUR

ECI takes serious note of reports coming in of congregation(s) of people to celebrate anticipated victory. EC has directed Chief Secretaries of all 5 states to file FIR in each such case, suspend concerned SHO and report action taken immediately of each such incidence: ECI

Respective State Chief Secretaries have been asked to take immediate action to stop such gatherings: Election Commission of India

As per trends, TMC'S Abdul Ganir won the Sujapur seat by 42463 votes

BJP's Swapan Dasgupta trailing from Tarakeswar seat by 6649 votes
TMC's Asish Banerjee leading from Rampurhat by 4527 votes
TMC's Dulal das leading by 21,839 votes from Maheshtala
BJP's Dipak Kumar Roy leading from Sitai by 2559 votes
TMC's Madan Mitra leading from Kamarhati seat by 8843 votes
Ashoknagar TMC candidate Narayan Goswami now leading by 3691 votes
TMC's Sujata Mondal leading from Arambagh by 1527 votes
TMC's Uttara Singh leading from Garbeta by 3326 votes
TMC's June malia leading from Medinipur seat by 6902 votes
TMC's Ujwal Biswas leading from Krishna Nagar Dakshin by 12804 votes
TMC's Mohan Chandra Nashkar leading from Satgachia by 7096 votes

In Deltaic region, TMC is leading in 20 seats and BJP in 6 seats
In Greater Kolkata, TMC is leading in 42 seats and BJP in 14 seats 
In Highlands, TMC is leading in 33 seats and BJP is leading in 20
In Northern Border Region, TMC is leading in 38 seats while the BJP is leading in 21 seats 
In Northern Hills, BJP is leading in 22 seats while TMC is leading in 5 seats 
In Sothern Plains, TMC is leading in 39 seats while the BJP is leading in 26 seats

"We were challenged that we won't get even 100 and we have already crossed 100+ seats. We have just gained, and nothing lost. We will touch magic numbers by evening. Please wait for 10 rounds of voting," says BJP West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijaywargiya.

BJP's Sabyasachi dutta leading now from Bidhan nagar seat.
BJP's Rajiv banerjee leading now from Domjur with 326 vote
After 6th round of counting Balagarh TMC candidate Manoranjan Bepari leading by 4295 votes
After 3rd round of counting Dhaniakhali TMC candidate Ashima Patra leading by 3700 votes

• After the second round of counting, in Purulia district's Raghunathpur assembly segment, TMC candidate Hazari Bauri leads by 168 votes while BJP candidate Vivekananda Bauri is now trailing.
• After the third round of counting, Canning Purba TMC candidate Saokat Molla leading by 13,711 votes
• BJP leading Sitalkuchi seat by 5402 seats

BJP Suvendu Adhikari Leading from Nandigram with 8135 Votes After 3rd Round
TMC's Kalpana Risku Leading from Tapan
TMC's Toraf Hossain Leading from Kumargunje
BJP Candidate Bishnupada Roy Leading with 2398 Votes from Dhupguri
BJP Candidate Dipak Barman Leading from Falakata with 1856 Votes
TMC Candidate Nanda Saha Leading from Nabadwip Seat
BJP Ajay Poddar from Kulti Leading with 2749 Votes
BJP Bibhash Chandra Mondal Leading from Palasipara with 1123 Votes
BJP Malati Rava Leading from Tufangunje with 4195
BJP's Babul Supriyo Trailing by 8500 Votes from Tollygunje Seat
TMC's Partha Bhowmik Leading from Naihati Seat
TMC's Partha Chatterjee Leading from Behala Paschim

Baishnabnagar BJP candidate Swadhin Sarkar leading- 1200 votes

English Bazar BJP candidate Srirupa Mitra Choudhury leading- 250 votes

Gazole BJP candidate Chinmay Deb Barman leading- 300 votes

Habbibpur BJP candidate Joel Murmu leading- 3300 votes

Harishchandrapur- TMC candidate Tajmul Hossain leading- 3300 votes

Balurghat BJP candidate Ashok Lahiri leading - 3000 seats

Asansol South BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul leading

Arambag BJP candidate Sujata Mandal leading

As per EC trends, incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee is trailing Suvendu adhikari by 1497 votes

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 101 seats & BJP leads in 53 seats & Independent leads in 2 seats

 "BJP will form govt in Bengal. Many of our candidates are leading," says Kailash Vijaywargiya

All 3 BJP MPs trailing TMC in respective seats

Locket Chatterjee trailing in Chuchura

Babul Supriyo trailing in Tollygunge

Swapan Dasgupta trailing in Tarkeshwar

In a big upset, Suvendu Adhikari leads in Nandigram over Mamata Banerjee by 8000+ votes  

After first round of counting Jalpaiguri TMC candidate Pradipkumar Barma leading by 636 votes
After first round  Raghunathpur BJP candidate Vivekananda Bouri leading by 67 votes

In the Southern Plains, BJP is leading with a lead in 14 seats while TMC has a lead in 7 seats

In the Deltaic region , TMC is leading in  6 seats and BJP is leading in 4 

In the North Border Region, the TMC has 21 seats while the BJP has 11 seats

In Greater Kolkata the TMC has 8 LEADS and the BJP has 3 LEADS

In Highlands, TMC is leading in 15 seats and the BJP is leading in 13 seats. It is a close battle in this region

In Northern Hills REgion, the TMC has 11 LEADS and the BJP is not far behind with 7 LEADS. It could go either way.

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 45 seats & BJP in 29 seats, Independent in 1 seat
 

As per early trends, TMC's Saukat Molla trails from Canning seat where ISF is strong

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 29 seats & BJP in 14 seats and  1 independent

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 21 seats & BJP leads in 11 seats
 

TMC's Karabi Manna leads at Haripal
BJP's Ranjan Baidya leads at Sonarpur Uttar
BJP's Jitendra Tiwari leads at Pandaveshwar
BJP's Hiran Chatterjee leads at Kharagpur
BJP's Yash Dasgupta trailing at Chanditala

BJP's Mukul Roy leads at Krishnanagar North

With BJP's Rudranil Ghosh leading in Bhabanipur seat, 4 sitting ministers of TMC trail - Mamata Banerjee, Partha Chatterjee, Sovandeb Chatterjee 

CM Mamata Banerjee is trailing  BJP's Suvendu Adhikari by 1400 votes in the latest update from the first round of the counting for Nandigram seat.

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 2 seats & BJP in 1 seat

BJP's Shankar Ghosh leading in Siliguri

BJP's Ambika Roy leads in Kalyani seat

TMC's Khokan Das leads in Bardhaman South

Gopal Som, a counting agent of Congress candidate from Panihati (North 24 Parganas), Tapas Majumder, was taken to a hospital after he fell unconscious at the counting centre.

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 1 seat

BJP candidate Lt. Gen Subrata Saha leads in Rashbehari

As per early trends from R.Bangla, Shyamapad Mandal leads in Mauyureshwar

Rajiv Banerjee leads in Domjur
Rabindra Nath Bhattacharya leads in Singur'
Locket Chatterjee leads in Chuchura
Babul Supriyo leads in Tollygunge

Early trends show BJP leading in 27 seats, TMC leading in 19 seats, Left in 2 seats

TMC is leading Kakdwip, Manbazar, Sitalkuchi & Alipurduar
Congress is leading in Baghmundi
BJP leading in Memari, Dubrajpur, Marimpur, Behala Purba

Partha Chatterjee trailing from Behala Paschim, BJP's Srabanti Chatterjee leads.

As per early trends, BJP is leading into Mekliganj, Memari and Karimpur - all held by TMC previously, TMC is leading in Sitalkuchi
 

As per CVoter trends, BJP leads in 3 seats & TMC also leads in 4 seats

As per early trends, BJP leads in Mekhliganj & TMC leads in Sitalkuchi - where the CISF had open fire at a mob who had gheraoed a polling booth, killing 4.

As per CVoter trends, BJP leads in 3 seats & TMC in 1 seat

Congress has withdrawn its spokespersons from election debates, but will  remain available for any comment to the media, amid 2nd COVID-19 wave
 

Sovandeb Chattopadhyay alleges that Election Commission opened the strong room without the presence of Counting Agent. The TMC's Bhabanipur candidate alleges a strong room was opened by EC staff without his presence. No counting agent from his party was also not there during open the strong room. No statement till now from Election Commission.

Watch live here on Republic

Watch live here on Republic

Ahead of the start of the counting process, polling officials and security forces clicked at a polling centre in Kolkata.
 

As per PTI, there will be 2,364 counting halls as compared to 1,002 halls in 2016 in 822 assembly constituencies, a more than 200 percent increase, in view of the COVID guidelines, according to the Election Commission which had drawn flak from the courts over the conduct of polls during the pandemic.

At least 15 rounds of sanitisation will be carried out at each polling centre, besides social distancing and other precautions, including a ban on gatherings, will be strictly followed, officials said.

They said counting of votes will begin at 8 AM and continue late into the night. As many as 1,100 counting observers will watch the process and candidates and agents will have to produce a negative COVID test report or double dose of vaccination certificate to get an entry.

A three-tier security arrangement is in place in West Bengal's 108 counting centres and at least 292 observers have been appointed and 256 companies of central forces deployed across 23 districts of the state that voted in a gruelling election marred by violence and vicious personal attacks, as per PTI.

The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes and put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 norms. A three-tier security arrangement has been in place at 108 counting centres where polled electronic voting machines (EVMs), along with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units have been kept in strong rooms. At least 292 observers have been appointed and 256 companies of central forces deployed at the counting centres.

 South 24 Parganas district has the maximum number of counting centres at 15, while Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jhargram have one each. At least 15 rounds of sanitisation will be done at each centre during the process. Instead of 14, not more than 7 tables will be allowed in each counting hall.

All eyes will on the face-off between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party party as exit polls predicted a neck-to-neck result for the 294-seat Assembly after an star-studded 8-phase polling.  

Viewers can catch all updates, with Republic Media Network Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami leading the election coverage on Republic TV, Republic Bharat and Republic Bangla. The telecast stars at 6 AM. 

As per Republic-CNX Exit polls, the BJP is projected to win 138-148 seats defeating the TMC which is projected to win 128-138 seats, while the Congress-Left-ISF alliance is projected to win 11-21 seats. Republic-CNX Exit polls project a party-wise win as such - TMC (126-136 seats), BJP (138-148 seats), Left Front (4-8 seats), Congress (6-9 seats) ISF (1-3 seats), Others (1-3 seats)

• BJP: 138-148 seats
• TMC: 128-138 seats
• Left: 11-21 seats
• Others: 0

Party wise seat share:

• BJP: 138-148 seats
• TMC: 126-136 seats
• Left: 4-8 seats
• Congress: 6-9 seats
• ISF: 1-3 seats
• Others: 1-3 seats
• Vote Share:

With BJP set to be the single-largest party, the BJP is projected to win 42.75% of the votes, while TMC is projected to win 40.07% of the votes. Left-Congress is projected to win 14.42% of the votes, while others are projected to win 2.76% of the votes.

• TMC+: 40.07%
• BJP+: 42.75% 
• Left+: 14.42%
• Others: 2.76%

CNX's Exit poll methodology

To understand that which party has the edge after voting in the state, CNX, a Delhi based research & survey agency, conducted the exit poll survey at the polling booths in West Bengal. A list of questions was prepared by the Republic-CNX team to understand the possible voting behavior of the Bengali people in the assembly elections in the state. A quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire was administered randomly to 35,280 men and women from section A and section B households, in the age group of 18 to 60. The survey team visited all the 294 Assembly seats in the states going deep into by-lanes and meeting people from all walks of life.

Jhargram: A TMC stronghold which had been vacant since TMC MLA Sukumar Hansda died in 2020, will see a face off between actor & TMC leader Birbaha Hansda against BJP's Sukhmoy Satpati. The constituency which is dominated by SC/ST communities - Santhals and Kurmis is being eyed by both parties as Kurmis dominate in about 30 out of the 42 constituencies in the region. In 2016, Hansda won the constituency with 99233 votes.

Haldia: An industrial belt in East Medinipur, Haldia is one of the key seats that the TMC lost to the CPI(M) in 2016. While TMC's Seuli Saha had won the seat in 2011, trumping CPM's Nityananda Bera, CPM's Tapasi Mondal won the seat in 2016, trumping Trinamool's Madhurima Mandal. With Mondal switching BJP, she faces CPI (M) Kar Paik Manika and TMC's Swapan Naskar.

Diamond Harbour: A TMC stronghold, Diamond Harbour will witness a battle for power among a veteran in politics 70-year-old Pannalal Halder of TMC, a two-time sitting MLA of TMC who is contesting from BJP ticket this time, Dipak Kumar Halder and Prateek Ur Rahaman of CPM. In 2016, Dipak Kumar Halder had defeated CPM's Subhra Sau by 20,774 votes and won the constituency for TMC, but now that he has changed sides, it would interesting to see if TMC, with Mamata Banerjee's nephew And Member of Parliament from the region Abhishek Banerjee, campaigning effortlessly, is retaining the constituency. 

Howrah Dakshin: Falling under the Howrah district, this constituency will see a faceoff between BJP's Rantidev Sengupta and TMC's Nandita Chowdhury. Sengupta is the editor of the RSS' Bengali mouthpiece Swastika. While the senior journalist initially expressed his unwillingness to contest the election and urged BJP to select another candidate for the seat, he reversed his stance after speaking to the party leadership. In the previous election, TMC's Brajamohan Majumder beat CPI(M)'s Arindam Basu by over 16,000 votes.

Rajarhat Gopalpur: West Bengal BJP chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya, who has served as the Basirhat Dakshin MLA in the past is vying for election from Rajarhat Gopalpur this time. He is pitted against popular singer Aditi Munsi who is contesting on a TMC ticket. Incumbent TMC MLA Purnendo Bose won this seat by a margin of 6,874 votes in the last Assembly polls. In the 2011 election, he had trounced the sitting CPI(M) legislator Rabindranath Mondal by 35,725 votes.

Dum Dum Uttar: The incumbent MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya of CPI(M) faces an uphill task to retain his seat on this occasion. This is because WB Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya has again been fielded by TMC in Dum Dum Uttar. Though she lost to Tanmoy Bhattacharya in the 2016 Assembly polls, the TMC leader entered the Assembly by winning the Kanthi Dakshin by-election in 2017. At present, she is serving as the MoS Housing (Independent Charge), Health and Family Welfare, Land and Land Reforms & Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation, Panchayats and Rural Development. BJP's Archana Majumdar is also in contention.

Rashbehari: A TMC bastion in Kolkata, held by Sobhandeb since 1998 will witness a tough battle between TMC's Debasish Kumar and former deputy chief of army staff Lt Gen Subrata Saha (BJP). Lt.Gen Saha - ex-member of National Security Advisory Board has been fielded by the saffron party to stir 'nationalist sentiment' - a key plank since Lok Sabha 2019 polls. On the other hand, Debashish Kumar, known for his groundwork during the COVID lockdown and cyclone Amphan eyes to win the seat for Trinamool. 

Bharatpur: Bharatpur will witness a fascinating three-way contest this time with Congress' Kamalesh Chatterjee seeking to retain his seat. In the previous election, he trounced TMC's Khadem Dastegir by a margin of 11,017 votes. However, Revolutionary Socialist Party's Id Mohammad emerged as the winner in 2011 with Congress' Daliya Begum as the runner-up. On this occasion, TMC has reposed faith in ex-IPS officer Humayun Kabir. Having joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party in February 2021, he served as the  Chandannagar Police Commissioner. BJP's Iman Kalyan Mukherjee is also in the fray. 

Nandigram: Mamata Vs Suvendu

In a bid to protect her home-turf, Mamata Banerjee will battle BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in the place which had catapulted Mamata Banerjee into the CM post in 2011. Apart from them, CPI(M) has fielded Minakshi Mukherjee in a bid to regain lost ground for the CPI(M).

Miffed by the rising influence of Banerjee's nephew - Abhishek Banerjee and IPAC poll strategist Prashant Kishor in Trinamool, Adhikari along with several other MLAs had switched to BJP. Taking the battle head-on, Banerjee had announced she will contest polls from Nandigram instead of her bastion Bhowanipore, leading to BJP fielding Adhikari. While Nandigram is a Trinamool bastion, it is the Adhikari family - Sisir, Suvendu, Dibyendu and Soumendu which has massive sway in the district - setting up a Mamata Vs Adhikari family battle. Amid the farmers' protest too, the Nandigram land agitation has come to the forefront, with Mamata accusing BJP of 'selling off farmers' lands to businessmen'.

Moreover, while TMC has alleged that Adhikari has harboured 'criminals' in various parts of Nandigram ahead of phase-2, BJP submitted an alleged tape of a conversation between CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Nandigram Vice-president Praloy Paul where the CM is heard seeking Paul's help in Nandigram, while he refuses to leave Suvendu Adhikari's side. Adhikari won Nandigram in 2016 defeating Left's Abdul Kadir, till he quit Trinamool recently, while his brother Dibyendu still remains a TMC MP. His father- Sisir Adhikari - a TMC MP has now joined BJP.

The Nandigram poll battle saw the most high-voltage campaign as Mamata played her 'Bengal's daughter' card, while Suvendu has accused TMC of only 'promoting the nephew'. Mamata, who recently suffered an injury while campaigning in Nandigram - which she has blamed on BJP, has vowed to conduct her campaign on a wheelchair with the BJP calling it 'sympathy politics'. Mamata has also termed Adhikaris as 'Mir Jafars' while Suvendu has fearmongered that 'Bengal will become mini-Pakistan' if Mamata is re-elected.

Purulia: Sudip Mukherjee (BJP) Vs Partha Pratim Banerjee (Cong) Vs Sujoy Banerjee (TMC)

In a rare three-way fight, sitting Congress MLA Sudip Mukherjee who joined the BJP recently will face Congress' Partha Pratim Banerjee and Trinamool's Sujoy Banerjee. The seat which has a 19.35% SC population and 19.22% ST population as per 2011 census, has been held by both Congress and TMC. In 2011, TMC's KP Singh Deo trounced CPM's Kaushik Mazumdar by 26,487 votes, while in 2016, Congress' Sudip Mukherjee defeated TMC's Dibyajyoti Prasad Singh Deo by a slim margin of 4,911 votes

Kamarhati: Madan Mitra (TMC) vs Anindya Banerjee (BJP)

Falling under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha segment, Kamarhati is a part of the North 24 Parganas district. The result in this constituency assumes great significance as TMC heavyweight Madan Mitra is contesting from here. The former Sports and Transport Minister spent over 21 months in prison over his alleged involvement in the Saradha scam case. While he lost this seat to Manash Mukherjee of CPI(M) in the previous election by a narrow margin of 4198 votes, the Mamata Banerjee-led party has reposed faith in him. BJP's Anindya Banerjee and CPI(M)'s Sayandeep Mitra are the other main contenders. 

Tarakeswar: Swapan Dasgupta (BJP) Vs Ramendu Sinha Roy (TMC)

The high-stakes battle for the Hindu pilgrim site Tarkeshwar in Hooghly came into focus after BJP fielded its sitting Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta against TMC's Ramendu Sinha Roy and CPI(M)’s Sujit Ghosh. With PM Modi himself campaigning for Dasgupta, who resigned from Rajya Sabha to contest for the seat, the BJP eyes to make inroads into the TMC bastion. Pitting 'Jai Shree Ram' against TMC's 'outsider' jibe, Dasgupta - an aspiring CM candidate relies heavily on the 93.22% Hindu population to oust Trinamool which has held the seat since 2011. TMC's Rachhpal Singh had trounced NCP's  Surajit Ghosh in 2016, while he had defeated CPM's  Pratim Chatterjee in 2011.

Tollygunge: Babul Supriyo (BJP) Vs Aroop Biswas (TMC)

The biggest face-off in this phase is between Union Minister Babul Supriyo and sitting TMC minister Aroop Biswas for Tollygunge - the heart of the Bengali film industry. Falling under the Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat, the Asansol MP had staged a protest after being gheraoed by a section of students in the Jadavpur University for nearly six hours. While Supriyo has defeated TMC’s Dola Sen in both 2014 and 2019 from the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency, Tollygunge has voted for Aroop Biswas in 2011 and 2016, trouncing CPM's candidates.

Balurghat: Sekhar Dasgupta (TMC) vs Ashok Lahiri (BJP) vs Sucheta Biswas (RSP)

In a three-way fight, renowned economist Ashok Lahiri has been fielded by BJP against TMC's Sekhar Dasgupta and RSP's Sucheta Biswas in this Dakshin Dinajpur district seat. Lahiri - the former Chief Economic Adviser who was to be fielded from Alipurduar, but later switched to Balurghat, aims to strengthen the inroads BJP has made in the areas. In 2011, TMC's Chakraborty Shankar had trounced RSP's Biswanath Choudhury while Choudhary defeared Shankar by a slender margin of 1450 votes.

Krishnanagar Uttar: Mukul Roy (BJP) vs Koushani Mukherjee (TMC)

Falling under the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, this seat has been vacant since June 2020 when TMC MLA Abani Mohan Joardar passed away. BJP has fielded former close aide of WB CM Mamata Banerjee and its current national vice president Mukul Roy in Krishnanagar Uttar. Incidentally, the former Railways Minister has not won a single direct election to either the Parliament or Assembly yet. He is pitted against Bengali actress Koushani Mukherjee of TMC. In the previous election, Joardar defeated his closest rival Asim Kumar Saha of CPI(M) by a margin of over 12,000 votes.

Maniktala: Sadhan Pandey (TMC) Vs Kalyan Chaubey (BJP) Vs Rupa Bagchi

A three-way fight will be witnessed between Bengal Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pandey (TMC), former India footballer and BJP candidate Kalyan Chaubey and CPI(M)’s Rupa Bagchi for this Kolkata North constituency. The TMC veteran has held the seat since 2011, trouncing Bagchi by a margin of 36,550 votes in 2011 and defeating CPM's Rajib Majumder in 2016.
 

As Mamata Banerjee eyes to retain West Bengal, an emerging BJP eyes to break the Bengal frontier on May 2. A tight race is expected between TMC & BJP as the Republic-CNX Exit polls have projected the BJP trumping TMC. The saffron party has been projected to win 138-148 seats, crossing the halfway mark of 146 seats - making it the largest party. Meanwhile, TMC is projected to win 128-138 seats, and the Congress-Left alliance projected to win 11-21 seats. The two-term CM & TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee faces a stiff challenge from the emerging BJP, the Congress-Left-ISF alliance and AIMIM. The counting will start at 8 AM.

Catch all Live updates on Republic

TMC has  promised 10 lakhs new MSMEs, Rs 1000 pensions for widows, free ration delivery, Rs 1.06 Crore for Economic support in its manifesto, as Mamata aims to defend her turf from a rising BJP. 

BJP has promised 33% reservation for women on state govt jobs, PM-KISAN arrear of Rs 18,000 for 75 lakh farmers, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free education to women and implementing CAA in its manifesto as it eyes to forms its first government in Bengal.

If TMC wins, Mamata Banerjee will be sworn-in for the third term. But BJP, on the other hand, has not announced a CM face, but Amit Shah has promised a 'son of Bengal will be CM'. While several BJP leaders like Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari, Babul Supriyo, Swapan Dasgupta are in the fray to be named CM pick, BJP will announce after poll results.

With the halfway mark of the 294-seat Assembky at 147, atleast 148 seats are needed to form the next govt

In 2021, amid COVID surge and widespread poll violence, EC  had announced that the battle for the 294-seat Assembly will be held in 8 phases - March 27, April 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26 and 29. Results will be held on May 2. Polling on two seats - Jangipur and Samserganj - has been deferred due to death of two candidates. These two seats will go to polls on May 16, and the results for these two seats will be declared on May 19.

The saffron party is gearing for a tough battle in Bengal - aiming to attain more than 200 seats, while not fielding a CM face yet.  With over 65,000 booth committees and 14,000 Shakti Kendra constituted, the BJP has appointed five veterans as central observers - with the final call to be taken by Amit Shah.  BJP has also seen an inrush of disgruntled TMC leaders like - Suvendu Adhikari and his two brothers, Rajib Banerjee, Jitendra Tiwari, Vaishali Dalmiya, Dinesh Tiwari and recently Mithun Chakraborty. BJP has promised 33% reservation for women on state govt jobs, PM-KISAN arrear of Rs 18,000 for 75 lakh farmers, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free education to women and implementing CAA in its manifesto as it eyes to forms its first government in Bengal.

TMC, on the other hand, has pushed Mamata Banerjee's 'Bengal's daughter' image, daring the BJP with its catch slogan 'Khela Hobe!' (Game is on). Taking up BJP's challenge, Mamata has filed her nomination from Nandigram, setting up a high-voltage battle against her former aide - Suvendu Adhikari. Mamata, who recently suffered an injury which she has blamed on BJP, has vowed to conduct her campaign on a wheelchair with the BJP calling it 'sympathy politics'. TMC has also promised 10 lakhs new MSMEs, Rs 1000 pensions for widows, free ration delivery, Rs 1.06 Crore for Economic support in its manifesto, as Mamata aims to defend her turf from a rising BJP.

The Congress-Left-ISF completed its seat-sharing pact, with Congress grabbing 92 seats, Left 165 seats and ISF 37 seats. Inspite of ISF eyeing the high-stakes Nandigram seat which will see Mamata Banerjee taken on former aide Suvendu Adhikari, the Left Front will contest from that seat. Siddiqui, who has also held talks with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has stated that he will not field candidates where AIMIM is contesting. While Congress has allied with the Left in its bid to end Mamata Banerjee's 10-year term and fight an emerging BJP in Bengal, Congress is the prime opponent against the Left government in Kerala.

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC had swept the 2016 Assembly polls by bagging 211 seats in the 294-member Assembly. In West Bengal, 294 seats are up for grabs and people will be able to cast their votes at 1,01,916 polling stations. Buoyed by its stupendous 2019 Lok Sabha performance, BJP is looking to oust TMC and is aiming at winning over 200 seats this time. While Congress was the second-largest party in 2016, it has tied with the Left and the ISF to form the Sanjukta Morcha.