Source The Hindu
KOLKATA — As the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee expressed supreme confidence, asserting that the early polling trends already place her party in a winning position.
Speaking at a massive election rally in Kolkata’s Bow Bazar area, Banerjee told supporters that her reading of the public sentiment suggests the TMC has already secured a decisive lead.
“From my understanding of the people’s mind, we are already in a position to win given the polling held so far today,” she declared.
Record Turnout and High Stakes
The first phase of the 2026 elections saw a historic voter turnout, with figures crossing 92% across 152 constituencies in 16 districts. The Chief Minister attributed this high participation to a “fight for democratic rights,” claiming that voters turned out in droves to protect themselves against future policies like the NRC and the Delimitation Bill.
Despite reports of isolated violence in areas like Asansol and Kumarganj—where BJP candidates claimed their vehicles were vandalized—Banerjee maintained that the momentum remains firmly with the TMC.
Eyes on Delhi
Banerjee utilized the platform to signal her broader political ambitions, framing the state election as a stepping stone to challenging the BJP-led Union government.
Regional Victory First: Asserted that the TMC will return for a fourth consecutive term.
National Coalition: Vowed to “conquer Delhi” by uniting opposition parties after the state results are declared.
The “Chair” Argument: Reaffirmed that she is not seeking a personal post in the central government but is focused solely on “ending the BJP government in Delhi.”
Election Roadmap
With Phase 1 complete, the state now looks toward the second and final phase of polling scheduled for April 29. The fate of 1,478 candidates is currently sealed in EVMs, waiting for the official counting day on May 4, 2026.
While the BJP has countered her claims, with Prime Minister Modi predicting a “landslide victory” for his party citing the high turnout, Banerjee remains undeterred, urging officials and security forces to remain impartial as the state moves toward the final stretch of the election.
