Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Dola Sen dismissed recent exit poll forecasts favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal's upcoming elections as 'dreams' and defended the state government's record on women's safety and administration.
Speaking on April 29, Sen highlighted the BJP's lack of grassroots organisation, stating that the party failed to provide polling agents in nearly 200 out of 294 booths. She noted that despite high expectations in 2021, the BJP did not win 100 seats, analysing that exit polls often do not reflect the genuine intent of the electorate.
“BJP could not give agents for almost 200 out of 294 booths… In 2021, they did not even win 100 seats… Everyone likes to dream… Everyone has been purchased,” Sen said.
Addressing concerns regarding women's safety and recent incidents, Sen rejected claims of systemic abuse in areas such as Sandeshkhali, and described the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College as “unfortunate.” She commended the state’s administration under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for its prompt and transparent response, challenging BJP-led “double-engine” governments to match it.
“Nothing regarding women happened in Sandeshkhali. The RG Kar incident was unfortunate. The way our CM and our government handled it, have you seen any double-engine government do the same?… Bengal is ahead in terms of women’s safety and security and overall law and order…. Kolkata has received the title of safest city thrice,” Sen added.
Sen attributed the TMC's enduring popularity directly to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's leadership, describing her as a “true fighter,” “pro-people at heart,” a “very strict administrator,” and an “unlikely and impartial CM trying to give good governance to all.”
Ratna Debnath, mother of the postgraduate trainee doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in 2024, is the BJP candidate in the Panihati constituency. Her campaign has focused on women’s safety, judicial accountability, and law and order, issues that sparked nationwide outrage.
Most exit polls forecast a BJP victory that would end TMC’s 15-year rule in West Bengal. Chanakya Strategies projected the BJP winning 150-160 seats out of 294. Matrize estimated 146-161 seats for the BJP and 125-140 for the TMC. JVC predicted 138-159 seats for the BJP and 131-152 for the TMC. P-Marq gave the BJP 150-175 seats and the TMC 118-138. Conversely, People Pulse projected 95-100 seats for the BJP and 177-187 seats for the TMC, while Poll Diary estimated 142-147 for the BJP and 99-127 for the TMC.