Bengal counting day: TMC's Kunal Ghosh leads in Beleghata, slams ECI
Synopsis
On West Bengal's counting day, TMC's Kunal Ghosh led in Beleghata while publicly attacking the Election Commission over alleged harassment of party workers — a sharp signal of the tension surrounding a contest where most exit polls have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year reign.
Key Takeaways
Kunal Ghosh (TMC) was leading in Beleghata by over 400 votes against BJP's Partha Chaudhury as of 10:30 a.m. on 4 May .
Counting began at 8 a.m. across 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies ; Falta in South 24 Parganas faces repolling on 21 May .
The ECI introduced a new counting format: postal ballots counted exclusively for the first 30 minutes , then simultaneously with EVM votes from 8:30 a.m.
Ghosh publicly stated he does not trust the ECI, alleging late-night harassment of TMC workers and restrictions on counting agents.
In 2021 , TMC won 216 seats ; BJP won 77 .
Most exit polls this time predict a BJP win, ending TMC's 15-year rule.
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Beleghata Assembly constituency candidate Kunal Ghosh on Monday, 4 May declared unwavering confidence in the people of West Bengal, asserting that the entire state is praying for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's victory as vote counting got underway across 293 of 294 Assembly seats.
As of 10:30 a.m., Election Commission of India (ECI) trends showed Ghosh leading his constituency with a margin of over 400 votes against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Partha Chaudhury, with his overall tally crossing 3,500 votes.
Ghosh's confidence on counting day
Speaking to IANS amid early trends, Ghosh said,
Point of View
Pre-emptively contesting the legitimacy of any adverse outcome. TMC has used this playbook before, but the stakes are higher now: most exit polls have forecast the end of a 15-year regime, and the party's credibility depends on whether it can hold its 2021 tally of 216 seats. The ECI's new simultaneous counting format, while procedurally sound, has handed TMC a fresh grievance narrative. The real story on counting day is not just who is winning — it is whether the losing side will accept the result.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of West Bengal Assembly election counting?
Counting of votes began at 8 a.m. on 4 May across 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. The Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas has been excluded due to repolling scheduled for 21 May, with results declared on 24 May.
How is Kunal Ghosh performing in the Beleghata constituency?
As of 10:30 a.m. on 4 May, TMC's Kunal Ghosh was leading in Beleghata with over 3,500 votes and a margin of more than 400 votes over BJP candidate Partha Chaudhury, according to ECI trends.
Why did Kunal Ghosh criticise the Election Commission of India?
Ghosh alleged that ECI officials harassed TMC leaders and workers until late at night before counting day, and that counting agents faced restrictions including disallowance of mobile phones and pens. He stated he does not trust the poll body.
What is the new counting process introduced by the ECI for West Bengal?
The ECI changed the counting format so that postal ballots are counted exclusively for the first 30 minutes (8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.), after which postal ballots and EVM votes are counted simultaneously. This is expected to deliver clear trends by noon.
What were the results of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections?
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, TMC won 216 seats, BJP won 77, and the All India Secular Front (AISF) won one. Neither Congress nor the CPI(M)-led Left Front won a single seat.
