NEW DELHI: Early trends from the West Bengal assembly election results on Monday indicated notable gains for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in several Muslim-majority constituencies. Initial reports suggested that the BJP might secure at least 80 out of 135 such seats.
BJP candidate and potential chief ministerial face Suvendu Adhikari commented on the trends, asserting that there is a “visible crack” in the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) support among Muslim voters. “There has been a Muslim bifurcation. This bifurcation is particularly evident in Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur. In South Bengal and Cooch Behar, Muslims are still initially leaning more towards the TMC, but the kind of 90-95% consolidation seen in 2021 and 2024 is no longer there,” Adhikari stated, adding, “There are visible cracks in that support base.”
In contrast, the Trinamool Congress seemed to be struggling to gain votes in these electorally significant areas, despite a robust campaign centered on secularism. The TMC was reportedly leading in 50 of these seats, while other parties held leads in four.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that “everything is being reported wrong,” urging party workers not to be discouraged. “Counting agents and candidates should not leave the counting center. This is the BJP’s plan… I have been saying since yesterday that they will be shown ahead first. They have stopped counting at many places,” she alleged, referencing improper voting equipment found in Kalyani. “Through SIR, they tried to steal votes, and even now we are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being reported,” she continued, criticizing the Election Commission and asserting, “There is no need for anyone to be afraid.”
Historically, Muslim-dominated seats in West Bengal have been primarily held by Congress and the Left. The state recorded its highest-ever voter turnout since Independence, with an impressive 91.66% polling in Phase II of the Assembly elections. Phase I saw a participation rate of 93.19%, bringing the combined voter turnout to 92.47%.
In the 2021 West Bengal assembly election, the Trinamool Congress, under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, secured a decisive mandate with 213 out of 294 seats and approximately 48% of the vote share. The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the main opposition with 77 seats and around 38% of the vote, a significant increase from its previous tally. The Left-Congress alliance was unable to win any seats.
