In a major setback for outgoing chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the TMC supremo has lost her prized Bhabanipur seat to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari by a margin of over 15,000 votes.
Banerjee's stunning defeat comes as the BJP marched towards a mammoth majority in the West Bengal Assembly with over 200 seats.
According to latest poll data on the Election Commission's official website, Suvendu Adhikari, once a close confidante of Mamata Banerjee, secured at total of 73,917 votes, defeating his former mentor by a margin of 15,105 votes in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Adhikari's victory over Banerjee is reminiscent of their 2021 battle when the former TMC leader defeated the West Bengal Chief Minister in Nandigram in a fiercely fought contest.
How Suvendu Adhikari vs Mamata Banerjee unfolded?
The counting day started with Mamata Banerjee surging ahead by over 17,000 votes by the end of the seventh round, building what appeared to be a decisive cushion. However, the advantage steadily eroded through the subsequent rounds as Adhikari clawed back, narrowing the gap sharply before overtaking her in the final stages.
By the 14th round, Banerjee's lead had shrunk to under 4,000 votes, setting the stage for a tense finish. The BJP leader then edged ahead, consolidating his lead in the closing rounds to seal the contest.
The seat witnessed intense drama throughout the day, with both leaders present at the counting centre at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' High School, underscoring the high-voltage nature of the battle.
Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly, won by a margin of 15,105 votes, bagging 73,917 votes, while the CM secured 58,812 votes. "I thank the people of Bhabanipur for voting for me and ensuring a margin of over 15,000 votes," Adhikari said after his victory in the high-profile constituency, and after holding the winning certificate.
(With inputs from agencies)