West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee faces a significant challenge from Suvendu Adhikari as vote counting commences. The focus is on the Bhowanipore and Nandigram constituencies, sites of their previous electoral contests.
Tensions flared at a West Bengal counting centre as the TMC alleged a BJP-flagged vehicle entered the EVM storage area, a claim countered by election officials. This follows similar protests by the TMC.
Bhabanipur witnessed high-voltage drama as Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari traded barbs amid polling. Mamata accused the BJP of rigging, while Suvendu dismissed her claims as frustration. Tensions flared at a polling booth, requiring intervention by security forces. This phase is crucial for both TMC's stronghold and BJP's challenge in south Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari in Bhowanipore by-election, a rematch with far greater consequences than her 2021 Nandigram loss. The diverse Kolkata constituency—featuring Bengali bhadralok, Marwari/Gujarati businesses, Sikh/Jain residents, and 25% Muslim voters—has seen Trinamool's margin shrink from 59,000 votes in 2021 to just 8,000 in 2024. BJP led in 5 of 8 wards, with reported voter deletions adding to the political calculus.
