As early trends emerge, BJP, TMC go neck and neck
TMC took the lead in 15 seats, while the BJP has already gone upto 12 seatsScenes outside the BJP and TMC offices in Kolkata remained solemn
Kolkata: As vote count began for the Lok Sabha electionresults, a paradigm shift was visible in the early trends in West Bengal, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) going neck and neck.
While trends emerged for 23 out of the 42 seats in the state, TMC took the lead in 15 seats, while the BJP has already gone upto 12 seats — a massive jump from the two seats it currently holds.
In the Asansol seat, where sitting BJP member of parliament (MP) Babul Supriyo is contesting against TMC’s Moon Moon Sen, Supriyo took the lead. At the same time, the Congress party was ahead in just one seat in the state.
West Bengal state unit president of the BJP Dilip Ghosh told Mint that the party was “targeting a vote share of at least 39%".
West Bengal has turned into a literal fortress with all counting centres and arterial points in state capital Kolkata being barricaded by the police. All public spaces and shops also remained shut.
“There is some violence expected in Lok Sabha seats like Basirhat, Dum Dum, etc. We are adequately prepared to tackle any such eventuality," said a Kolkata state police official, requesting anonymity.
Scenes outside the BJP and TMC offices in Kolkata remained solemn as leaders across both parties continued to wait for mid day trends to emerge.
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