NewsIndia

Mamata Banerjee, after three terms as Chief Minister, lost her home constituency of Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari by 15,105 votes. The recent West Bengal elections saw a significant shift in power dynamics.

The BJP candidate received 73,917 votes while Banerjee garnered only 58,812. This outcome surprised many observers who expected her to maintain control over the constituency.

The election registered a voter turnout of 92.47 percent, the highest since Independence. This high turnout reflects the intense interest in this election cycle.

Banerjee claimed that the election process was manipulated, alleging that votes were looted by Adhikari’s BJP. A TMC worker stated simply, “We have nothing to say.” Yet, Banerjee expressed confidence that “TMC would come back to office.”

BJP secured a total of 177 seats and was leading in 31 out of 293 assembly seats. In contrast, TMC won only 61 seats and led in 18 seats. This marks a significant defeat for Banerjee’s party.

Previously, Banerjee won Bhowanipore in a bypoll after losing to Adhikari in Nandigram. Her loss in Bhabanipur indicates a potential shift in voter sentiment.

Repolling took place in several booths across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour, further complicating the election narrative. The results have prompted discussions about electoral integrity and future strategies for both parties.