Bengal polls 2026: BJP leads TMC 90-82 in early counting trends
Synopsis
With BJP leading TMC 90-82 in trends from 176 of 293 seats, West Bengal's 2026 assembly count is shaping up as a genuine cliffhanger. The Bhabanipur seat — where Mamata Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari — has yet to report, keeping the most consequential result of the day in suspense.
Key Takeaways
BJP leading in 90 seats , TMC in 82 , as of 10 am IST on 4 May — trends available for 176 of 293 constituencies.
Congress ahead in Malatipur and Mothabari (Malda); CPI-M leading in Jalangi and Domkal (Murshidabad).
Suvendu Adhikari leading from Nandigram ; Dilip Ghosh ahead in Kharagpur (Sadar) .
TMC minister Dr Shashi Panja marginally trailing in Shyampukur .
No trend yet available for Bhabanipur , where CM Mamata Banerjee faces Adhikari.
Counting to run a minimum of 10 and maximum of 26 rounds per constituency.
Kolkata, 4 May — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a narrow lead over the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in early counting trends for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, with the opposition party ahead in 90 seats against TMC's 82 as of 10 am IST.
Trends were available for 176 of the 293 assembly constituencies in the state at that point, making the picture partial but indicative of a closely contested race.
Early Seat-by-Seat Breakdown
Of the 176 constituencies reporting trends, the BJP was leading in 90 seats, TMC in 82, the Indian National Congress (INC) in 2, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) in 2. The remaining seats had yet to report trends.
The Congress leads were in Malatipur and Mothabari, both in the minority-dominated Malda district. Notably, Mausam Benazir Noor — a former Congress Lok Sabha member who later served as a TMC Rajya Sabha member before returning to Congress ahead of these polls — was leading from Malatipur.
The CPI-M was ahead in Jalangi and Domkal, both in minority-dominated Murshidabad district.
Prominent BJP Leaders in Early Lead
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, was leading from Nandigram in East Midnapore district — the same constituency where he faces Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a high-profile contest this cycle. Former BJP national Vice President and state President Dilip Ghosh was ahead in Kharagpur (Sadar) in West Midnapore district.
Fashion designer-turned-politician Agnimitra Paul was leading from Asansol (Dakshin) in West Burdwan district, while journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta was also among those showing early BJP leads.
TMC Cabinet Members Under Pressure
Several sitting ministers in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet were reportedly trailing in early trends. State Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Dr Shashi Panja was marginally behind in the Shyampukur constituency, according to available data.
This comes amid expectations that incumbency fatigue and anti-establishment sentiment could weigh on TMC in certain urban and semi-urban pockets.
Bhabanipur: The High-Profile Contest Still Awaited
As of 10 am, no trend was available for the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in South Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in what is widely regarded as the most-watched battle of these elections.
Counting is expected to continue across multiple rounds, with a minimum of 10 rounds and a maximum of 26 rounds depending on the constituency-wise voter count. The final picture is expected to emerge only in the afternoon as more trends consolidate.
Point of View
With BJP's 90-82 lead over TMC in the first two hours reflecting competitive momentum rather than a wave. The real story, however, is what these numbers mean for Mamata Banerjee's political authority — a reduced majority, even if TMC ultimately crosses the halfway mark, would weaken her bargaining position nationally. The absence of any trend from Bhabanipur is conspicuous; that single seat carries disproportionate symbolic weight. If Adhikari defeats Banerjee in her own constituency, the political fallout would extend well beyond West Bengal's borders.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading in the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 counting?
As of 10 am IST on 4 May, the BJP was leading in 90 seats and TMC in 82, based on trends from 176 of 293 constituencies. The final result is yet to emerge as counting continues.
What is the status of the Bhabanipur seat where Mamata Banerjee is contesting?
No trend was available for the Bhabanipur constituency as of 10 am IST. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting from Bhabanipur against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in the most high-profile contest of the 2026 Bengal polls.
Which Congress and CPI-M candidates are leading in early trends?
Congress candidates are leading in Malatipur and Mothabari in Malda district, with Mausam Benazir Noor ahead in Malatipur. CPI-M candidates are leading in Jalangi and Domkal in Murshidabad district.
Which prominent BJP leaders are ahead in early counting?
Suvendu Adhikari (Nandigram), Dilip Ghosh (Kharagpur Sadar), Agnimitra Paul (Asansol Dakshin), and Swapan Dasgupta are among the BJP leaders showing early leads in the 2026 West Bengal election count.
How many rounds of counting are expected in West Bengal?
Counting will proceed in a minimum of 10 rounds and a maximum of 26 rounds per constituency, depending on the number of voters. The final picture is expected to consolidate only by the afternoon.
