The political panorama in West Bengal remained sharply polarized on Thursday as contrasting scenes unfolded at celebration places of work after the conclusion of the second part of voting for the 2026 meeting elections.
Whereas Bharatiya Janata Celebration staff cheered and celebrated the optimistic exit ballot outcomes, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) expressed alarm by mobilizing its leaders to protect its counting facilities and warehouses following allegations of irregularities.
On the Bharatiya Janata Celebration’s state headquarters in Salt Lake, the temper was unmistakably upbeat. The workplace was buzzing with power as celebration members gathered in anticipation of a decisive victory on Might 4th.
Regardless of the bodily demanding marketing campaign, guests continued to reach on the headquarters all through the day, carrying bouquets of flowers and packing containers of sweets. The excessive turnout added to the festive environment. The primary part of voting on April 23 recorded a participation fee of over 92%, which celebration leaders stated was an indication of public help.
“The passion of the employees displays the mandate of the individuals,” stated a senior Bharatiya Janata Celebration official at headquarters, as preparations for the victory celebration quietly started.
“Safety considerations” at TMC
Nonetheless, in stark distinction, most TMC places of work within the state remained closed or opened just for a short while within the night. Celebration leaders stated this was a part of a deliberate technique to keep away from vulnerability following alleged intimidation by central forces.
TMC leaders in Bhavanipur claimed that celebration staff had been avoiding actions from identified places of work because of safety considerations. “We’re planning our technique from an undisclosed location. Staff will transfer in teams to counting facilities and storage rooms with correct planning. Nobody will go away till the final vote is counted,” the chief stated.
The alert got here after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee straight appealed to celebration staff by a video message on social media, urging them to keep up round the clock safety at warehouses and counting centres. “I ask all staff and candidates to protect our storage rooms and counting facilities. If I can keep awake, so are you able to. Keep alert all through the night time and make sure the security of our mission,” she stated.
He additionally dismissed the exit ballot predictions as “politically motivated”. “There is no such thing as a such factor as neutrality anymore. Exit polls are getting used to demoralize staff. The precise outcomes will shock everybody,” she stated.
Echoing her considerations, TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Pandya staged a dharna outdoors the Netaji Indoor Stadium, which serves because the counting centre. They claimed that they tried to open polling models with out the presence of representatives of all political events. “Efforts are being made to entry the EVMs with out the presence of related stakeholders. This raises critical questions relating to transparency,” they claimed.
Preserve Mamata’s message in thoughts
On the bottom, TMC staff seemed to be taking these warnings critically. In elements of south Kolkata, small teams of celebration supporters had been seen coordinating actions and discussing plans to observe strongrooms. “We belief Didi Chuxing’s statements. Girls voters specifically have benefited from TMC’s schemes for the previous 15 years. We’re assured of the outcomes however stay cautious,” stated Pranab Das, a celebration member.
In the meantime, Bharatiya Janata Celebration candidates have largely distanced themselves from their Salt Lake headquarters, selecting to stay within the constituency. Celebration leaders stated that is a part of a concerted effort to observe the strongroom the place EVMs are stored until the day of counting.
vendor makes hay
Even outdoors the BJP places of work, political frenzy has led to brisk enterprise for native distributors. Biswajit Das, a tea vendor who runs a stall close to the headquarters, stated his revenue has elevated considerably through the election season.
“For the previous three months, I’ve hardly had any time to relaxation. Through the marketing campaign, my day by day revenue has tripled,” he stated, including that he plans to shut his store and return to his house village on the final day of the marketing campaign. Das, a former CPI(M) supporter who now helps the BJP, expressed confidence within the celebration’s potential. “I imagine they’ll kind a authorities,” he stated.
Supporters from neighboring districts additionally headed to headquarters, many arriving earlier than the outcomes had been in and expressing optimism. Pradipto Ghosh, visiting from Shyamnagar, stated, “We’re blessing the leaders upfront as they are going to be busy on the counting day as they are going to be right here early within the morning.”
A assured BJP
Throughout the BJP camp, preparations for a possible victory have already begun, albeit inconspicuously. Celebration sources stated preparations had been made for the celebrations, together with stockpiling of crackers and coloured powder. “If we safe the mandate, your complete area will likely be stuffed with celebrations. Nonetheless, we now have strict directions to not make any celebrations or plans till the outcomes are out. Our celebrations will solely start as soon as the development turns into clear,” the official stated.
Samik Bhattacharyya, state BJP president, spent the day on the headquarters checking on updates and speaking to candidates on the telephone. Though he kept away from any overt celebrations, his confidence was clear. “We’re targeted on getting a majority and forming the federal government. Celebrations will observe afterwards,” Bhattacharya informed The Indian Specific.
Commenting on the excessive turnout, Bhattacharya credited each the Election Fee and the Central Armed Police. “Numerous individuals got here to vote. A lot credit score goes to the authorities who ensured a clean voting course of,” he stated.
He additionally addressed perceptions about voting patterns, suggesting that conventional assumptions might not maintain true this time. “It isn’t right to assume that each one minority votes will go to at least one celebration. We additionally perceive the arithmetic and are assured in our place,” he added.
