Politics

West Bengal Election Results 2026 Live: TMC vs BJP Neck-to-Neck Fight

By WaveINO Newsroom May 4, 2026
West Bengal Election Results 2026 Live: TMC vs BJP Neck-to-Neck Fight



The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election counting is currently underway for 293 seats, following a historic voter turnout of nearly 93%. Early trends indicate a high-stakes, neck-to-neck battle as both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fight to reach the 148-seat majority mark.


  • Statewide Trends: Early morning data shows the BJP leading in approximately 70 constituencies, while the TMC maintains leads in 53 seats.



  • Key Battleground: The focus is heavily on the Bhabanipur constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is currently trailing her former aide and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in initial rounds.



  • Crucial Context: This is the first election following the controversial "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) of voter rolls, which resulted in the deletion of approximately 89 lakh voters across the state.



  • Pending Results: Voting for the Falta seat has been rescheduled for May 21 due to reports of electoral offences, meaning its result will be declared later.

Verdict Day in Bengal: The Numbers So Far

As of 10:00 AM IST on May 4, 2026, counting is in full swing for 293 of the 294 seats in the assembly. Polling for the Falta seat was countermanded and is rescheduled for May 21.



Party/AllianceLeads/Won (Early Trends)
BJP28
AITC (TMC)10
Others/Left-INC0

Note: These are very early trends based on initial rounds of counting and postal ballots. In several high-profile constituencies, the leads are fluctuating rapidly.



High-Profile Battles: Bhabanipur and Nandigram

The spotlight remains fixed on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently trailing in her home bastion of Bhabanipur against the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in early leads. Adhikari, once a close lieutenant of Banerjee, has brought an aggressive campaign to her doorstep after his victory in Nandigram in 2021.



Key Factors Shaping the 2026 Result

The outcome of this election is expected to be influenced by several unprecedented factors:

  • The SIR Impact: This is the first election following the "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) of voter rolls, which saw the removal of approximately 90 lakh names. The TMC has alleged this process was arbitrary, while the BJP defended it as a necessary "clean-up".



  • Historic Turnout: Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 92.93%, the highest since Independence. While the smaller voter base due to SIR partially inflates this percentage, the absolute number of votes cast has also seen a surge in several districts.



  • Regional Dominance: The BJP continues to show strength in North Bengal (Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar), while the TMC relies heavily on its traditional base in South Bengal, particularly around Kolkata.



What is the Majority Mark?

To form a government in West Bengal, a party or coalition must secure at least 148 seats in the 294-member assembly. While the BJP took an early lead in trends, the TMC is looking to close the gap as counting progresses into more urban and South Bengal segments.



Conclusion: A State on the Edge

Whether Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth term or the BJP makes its historic breakthrough remains the central question of the day. With security tightened at all counting centres and multi-layered surveillance in place, the final picture is expected to emerge by late evening.