West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "looting" more than 100 seats in the state assembly elections.
She described the Election Commission as "the BJP's commission" and labelled the BJP's victory as "immoral" and "illegal."
Addressing reporters, she stated, "More than 100 seats BJP looted. The Election Commission is the BJP's commission. I complained to the CO and also Manoj Agrawal, but they are not doing anything. Do you think this is a victory? It is an immoral victory, not a moral victory. Whatever the Election Commission has done, along with the Central Forces and the PM & Home Minister, is totally illegal. It is loot, loot, loot. We will bounce back."
Banerjee also alleged irregularities at the counting centre, claiming that violence began after 3 pm, during which she was physically assaulted. She added that CCTV cameras were switched off and that party agents were barred from entering the centre despite assurances from the District Officer, who later became unavailable. She said, "From 3 pm onwards, they have been beating us. I was hit. CCTV was switched off. None of our agents was allowed inside (the counting centre). The DO assured me our agents would be allowed, but after that, he was not available anywhere. I complained everywhere."
At the end of 14 rounds of counting in the Bhabanipur constituency, Mamata Banerjee holds a narrow lead of 3,830 votes over BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari. According to the latest Election Commission data, Banerjee has secured 48,671 votes so far.
The BJP is on course for a significant victory in West Bengal, leading or having won 204 seats to date. The party has secured 117 seats and is leading on 92. In contrast, the Trinamool Congress has won 44 seats and is leading on 37. This performance represents a major breakthrough for the BJP, which has traditionally been a marginal player in a state previously dominated by the Congress, Left parties, and the Trinamool Congress. West Bengal is also home to the BJP's ideologue, Syama Prasad Mookerji.
The BJP had won 77 seats in the last assembly elections. These results reflect the party's persistent strategy and extensive campaigning, during which it targeted the ruling Trinamool Congress on multiple issues and surpassed it in promises to various social groups. The election period was marked by considerable tension, particularly over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Trinamool Congress has governed West Bengal for 15 years.
The Congress party continued its poor performance in the state, poised to win only two seats. Other parties, such as the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), have won two seats, while the All India Secular Front and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) are leading on one seat each.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister praised BJP workers for their efforts, noting these were the first assembly elections under party president Nitin Nabin. He said, "Today, I respectfully bow to the people of Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, and the people of Tamil Nadu and Keralam… I also heartily congratulate the millions of BJP workers. Every BJP worker, big or small, has once again performed wonders. They have made the lotus bloom."
He added, "These were the first assembly elections since BJP President Nitin Nabin assumed the presidency. The guidance provided to every party worker during these elections proved invaluable in this victory."
The Prime Minister also described by-election results as encouraging, noting victories in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, and Tripura. He highlighted that National Democratic Alliance leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar won by a large margin.
Vote counting took place on Monday for assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, with the BJP also improving its performance in Keralam.