KOLKATA, May 4: Early counting trends in the West Bengal Assembly elections on Monday indicated a strong start for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which surged ahead in eight constituencies, while the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured leads in two seats, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.
The vote counting process for 293 Assembly constituencies commenced at 8 am, beginning with postal ballots before electronic voting machine (EVM) rounds were taken up as per Election Commission procedures.
BJP Opens Strong in Jhargram and Monteswar
In Jhargram, BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau established an early advantage with 5,156 votes, defeating TMC rival Mongal Saren by 976 votes in the initial rounds of counting.
The saffron party also showed strength in Monteswar, where BJP nominee Saikat Panja moved ahead of senior TMC leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury with a lead of 3,486 votes.
Political observers noted that the BJP’s early performance in rural and semi-urban constituencies could significantly shape the overall direction of the electoral contest.
Agnimitra Paul Ahead in Asansol Dakshin
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul maintained a comfortable lead in the Asansol Dakshin constituency, outpacing her Trinamool Congress challenger by 6,271 votes during the early counting stages.
Apart from Asansol Dakshin, the BJP was also leading in several important constituencies, including:
Dinhata
Gosaba
Baghmundi
Bankura
Durgapur Purba
The early numbers reflected a competitive battle between the BJP and the ruling TMC across multiple districts of West Bengal.
TMC Holds Ground in Deganga and Kasba
Despite BJP’s strong showing in the initial trends, the Trinamool Congress managed to stay ahead in selected constituencies.
In Deganga, TMC candidate Anisur Rahaman Bidesh secured a lead of 2,184 votes against his BJP rival during the early rounds of counting.
The Mamata Banerjee-led party was also leading in the Kasba Assembly seat, signaling resistance in urban and minority-dominated regions.
BGPM Emerges Ahead in Kalimpong Hills
In the hill constituency of Kalimpong, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) candidate Ruden Sada Lepcha moved ahead of BJP’s Bharat Kumar Chetri by 457 votes.
The BGPM, an ally of the TMC in the Darjeeling hills region, has remained an influential force in the local political landscape. The early lead in Kalimpong was seen as an important development in the politically sensitive hill districts.
High-Stakes Contest for Mamata Banerjee and BJP
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election is widely viewed as a crucial political battle for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office.
At the same time, the BJP has mounted an aggressive campaign to expand its footprint in the state after emerging as the principal opposition force in previous elections.
With counting still underway, political parties and supporters remain focused on whether the early trends will translate into a decisive mandate or a closely contested finish.