West Bengal Election Results 2026 Live: Counting Halted in Bhabanipur as BJP Leads with Clear Margin
: The West Bengal Assembly Election Results 2026 witnessed high political tension on Monday as counting in Bhabanipur was reportedly halted midway, even as key leaders from both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remained present at the counting centre.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were both seen at the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School counting venue on Lord Sinha Road in Kolkata. Banerjee arrived after TMC leaders alleged that one of their counting agents had been removed from the centre, further intensifying the already charged atmosphere.
According to the latest updates from the Election Commission of India (ECI), six seats have been declared in favour of the BJP, while the TMC has secured one seat so far. Counting is nearing completion, with results declared for 288 out of 293 seats, while five seats remain pending.
Election Trend Shows BJP in Strong Position
Early trends from the West Bengal Election Results 2026 indicate a significant shift in voter preference, with exit polls earlier projecting a tight contest but most showing a narrow advantage for the BJP.
As per the live seat tally, the BJP is leading with 165 seats, marking a strong gain compared to 2021. The TMC is trailing with 117 seats, while other parties and independents have secured 6 seats. The majority mark in the 293-seat assembly stands at 148.
Seat Breakdown and Comparison with 2021
The BJP has registered a gain of 88 seats compared to the 2021 elections, while the TMC has seen a decline of 98 seats from its previous tally. Smaller parties have shown marginal improvement with a slight increase in representation.
Key Factors Behind BJP’s Performance
Party insiders attribute the BJP’s strong performance to several key factors, including increased women voter turnout, support from government employees, and a strong development-focused campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The women’s vote is estimated to have shifted by nearly five percent in favour of the BJP, influenced by issues such as the women’s reservation push and recent high-profile incidents. Promises related to the Seventh Pay Commission for government employees also played a significant role in shaping voter sentiment.
The campaign narrative highlighting “development versus incumbency” between PM Narendra Modi and CM Mamata Banerjee also resonated strongly with urban middle-class and first-time voters, particularly through social media outreach.