BJP leads West Bengal with 191 seats: Manoj Tiwari says mandate 'beyond words'
Synopsis
Key Issues Cited
The BJP MP cited a series of contentious incidents and issues in West Bengal — including the RG Kar medical college case, the Sandeshkhali controversy, alleged 'cut money' culture, syndicate politics, and what he termed 'gunda raj' — as factors that galvanised voters against the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Tiwari also alleged that the TMC had supported illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, a charge the party has consistently denied, and said voters had delivered a decisive verdict against such politics.
Current Trends and Majority Mark
According to ECI data available at the time of reporting, BJP candidates were leading in 191 Assembly constituencies, while the TMC was ahead in 97. With the majority mark at 148, the BJP appeared on course for an absolute majority. Notably, the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district is scheduled for a repoll on 21 May, with results to be declared on 24 May.
What's Next
Vote counting across the remaining constituencies continues, and the final tally is expected to firm up over the course of the day. A BJP government in West Bengal would end the TMC's long dominance in the state and represent one of the most significant electoral shifts in recent Indian political history.
Key Takeaways
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday, 4 May said that words were not enough to describe the scale of the party's mandate in West Bengal, as early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) showed the BJP leading in 191 Assembly constituencies — well past the majority mark of 148 in the 294-seat state Assembly. The trends, if they hold, would mark a historic shift in one of India's most fiercely contested states.
Tiwari's Reaction
Speaking to news agency IANS, Tiwari said,