Guwahati: Vote counting is underway for 293 seats in West Bengal on May 4, 2026, marking a crucial verdict day after weeks of intense campaigning. The outcome will decide whether the ruling Trinamool Congress retains power or if the Bharatiya Janata Party secures a historic first win in the state
Early trends from the Election Commission of India on Monday showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading in eight assembly constituencies, while the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was ahead in two, as vote counting progressed.
The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), a TMC ally, was leading in Kalimpong. Among key contests, BJP’s Lakshmi Kanta Sau led in Jhargram by 976 votes, Saikat Panja was ahead in Monteswar by 3,486 votes, and Agnimitra Paul maintained a 6,271-vote lead in Asansol Dakshin, with the party also ahead in Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura and Durgapur Purba.
On the other hand, TMC’s Anisur Rahaman Bidesh led in Deganga by 2,184 votes and the party was ahead in Kasba.
In Kalimpong, BGPM candidate Ruden Sada Lepcha held a narrow 457-vote lead over BJP’s Bharat Kumar Chetri.
Meanwhile, in other key seats, trinamool’s Sandipan Saha surged ahead in Entally with a margin of 12,649 votes, Kunal Ghosh led in Beleghata, Nandita Chowdhury in Howrah Dakshin, and Becharam Manna in Singur, indicating an intense and closely watched contest as counting continues to determine whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth consecutive term or the BJP achieves a historic breakthrough in the state.