Bengal polls: BJP leads Jhargram by 900 votes in early counting trends
Synopsis
BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau leads TMC's Mongal Saren by over 900 votes in Jhargram in early trends — a small but telling signal in a state where exit polls largely predict the end of TMC's 15-year rule. With counting underway across 293 of 294 constituencies and a new simultaneous EVM-postal ballot protocol in place, clear trends are expected by noon.
Key Takeaways
BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau leads TMC 's Mongal Saren by over 900 votes in Jhargram as of 9:20 am IST on 4 May .
Counting is underway in 293 of 294 constituencies; Falta constituency repolling is set for 21 May .
New ECI protocol counts postal ballots exclusively for the first 30 minutes , then simultaneously with EVM votes.
In 2021 , TMC won 216 seats , BJP won 77 ; most exit polls this time predict a BJP win.
West Bengal recorded a near-record turnout of 93% across the two-phase polls on 23 April and 29 April .
Early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 4 May showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading in the Jhargram Assembly constituency in West Bengal during the first hour of vote counting. BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau was ahead by over 900 votes, with All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Mongal Saren trailing, as per ECI data recorded at 9:20 am IST.
Counting Begins Across West Bengal
The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections commenced at 8 am on Monday, with postal ballots tallied first. Counting is underway in 293 of the state's 294 Assembly constituencies. The sole exception is the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, where the ECI ordered a repolling on Saturday, scheduled for 21 May, with results to be declared on 24 May.
New ECI Counting Protocol This Election
The ECI introduced a revised counting procedure this cycle. In previous elections, EVM counting began only after all postal ballots had been fully tallied. This time, postal ballots alone are counted for the first 30 minutes — from 8 am to 8:30 am — after which postal ballots and EVM votes are counted simultaneously.
An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) explained the rationale:
Point of View
But the Jhargram result is worth watching as a bellwether for the Jungle Mahal belt — a region BJP flipped in 2021 and must hold to form a government. The more consequential story today is structural: most exit polls have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year dominance, a forecast that, if borne out, would represent the most significant political realignment in eastern India since the Left Front's collapse in 2011. The new simultaneous counting protocol could compress the suspense window considerably, with clear trends expected by noon — meaning this election's verdict may arrive faster and more decisively than any before it.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading in Jhargram constituency in the West Bengal election count?
BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau was leading by over 900 votes against TMC's Mongal Saren in early trends as of 9:20 am IST on 4 May, according to ECI data.
When did West Bengal vote counting begin?
Counting began at 8 am on Monday, 4 May, starting with postal ballots. Clear trends are expected by noon following the ECI's new simultaneous counting protocol.
Why is Falta constituency not counting votes today?
The ECI ordered a repolling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on 21 May, with results to be declared on 24 May. Counting for the remaining 293 constituencies is proceeding as scheduled.
What is the new ECI counting process introduced this election?
Unlike previous elections where EVM counting began only after all postal ballots were tallied, the ECI now counts postal ballots exclusively for the first 30 minutes, then counts both postal ballots and EVM votes simultaneously to ensure faster and clearer results.
What were the 2021 West Bengal election results and what do exit polls predict this time?
In 2021, TMC won 216 seats and BJP won 77. This time, most exit polls — barring two — have predicted the end of TMC's 15-year rule and the beginning of BJP governance in West Bengal.
