Tensions escalated across West Bengal on Monday as counting for the state’s Assembly elections progressed, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintaining a significant lead over the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
As of 5pm local time, the BJP was leading in 199 seats, while the TMC was ahead in 88 constituencies. The atmosphere turned volatile at several counting centres where supporters of both parties engaged in heated confrontations, reports India’s TV9.
In one instance, TMC workers outside a counting centre reportedly began chanting “Joy Bangla,” which was met with counter-slogans of “Joy Shri Ram” from BJP supporters. The verbal exchange quickly descended into a physical altercation.
To bring the situation under control, police were forced to resort to a baton-charge, and central forces were deployed to the scene. High tension was also reported at counting centres in Canning East and Asansol, where a ruckus broke out within the facilities.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Clash erupts between BJP and TMC workers in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata, Central Forces personnel resort to lathi-charge pic.twitter.com/1UyxSq7KEN
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026
Outside the Asansol Engineering College, clashes were reported at a TMC camp, and the party alleged that the BJP attacked and vandalised their camp office located near another counting centre.
In the Barrackpore industrial belt, the BJP appears to be dominating the polls. By the end of the fifth round of counting, BJP candidate Koustav Bagchi was leading in Barrackpore by 9,027 votes.
In Noapara, BJP’s Arjun Singh held a lead of 5,053 votes after the third round. Similarly, the BJP candidate in Jagatdal was ahead by 2,556 votes in the third round, while Pawan Kumar was leading in Bhatpara by 7,005 votes.
The elections for the 294-seat Assembly were held in two phases on 23 and 29 April. However, the Election Commission has cancelled the polls in the Falta constituency of South 24 Parganas due to allegations of electoral offences and the disruption of the democratic process.
A fresh poll in Falta has been scheduled for 21 May, with the subsequent counting set for 24 May.
