KOLKATA: Early trends show a strong lead for the BJP in the West Bengal Assembly election, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday called on Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates and agents to remain at counting centres and stay alert. In a video message released during the vote counting process, the TMC chief appealed to party workers not to lose confidence despite initial trends.“I appeal to everyone that neither TMC candidates nor counting agents should abandon counting centres,” she said. According to figures available on the Election Commission website at the time, the BJP was ahead in 184 seats, while the TMC was leading in 93 constituencies. However, Banerjee maintained that her party was still performing strongly and asked supporters to remain hopeful. “We are still ahead in 170 seats, but I request everyone not to lose hope,” she said. She also raised concerns over the counting process, alleging coordination between the Election Commission and the BJP. Banerjee claimed that leads were not being updated in constituencies where the TMC was ahead. “This is a game plan by the EC and BJP as it is not declaring results or leads in areas where we are leading,” Banerjee said. The remarks came at a time when trends suggested the BJP had crossed the majority mark of 148 in the 294-member Assembly, pointing towards a possible shift in the state’s political landscape.Counting was underway for 293 constituencies, beginning with postal ballots and followed by votes recorded in electronic voting machines.
