Mamata Banerjee instructs Trinamool Congress agents to demand recounts if BJP leads narrowly, stressing vigilance, coordination, and early presence at counting centres, while Abhishek Banerjee questions exit polls and alleges irregularities ahead of West Bengal vote counting.
A day before the crucial vote counting begins, preparations intensified across West Bengal as political parties tightened their strategies and mobilised workers to ensure a smooth and closely monitored process. The ruling Trinamool Congress leadership has issued detailed instructions to its cadre, underlining the importance of vigilance and coordination during the counting of votes.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister and party supremo of the Trinamool Congress, on Saturday directed party counting agents to immediately seek recounts in booths where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leads by margins between 500 and 700 votes. The directive came during a virtual meeting attended by party leaders and counting agents from all 294 Assembly constituencies.
The meeting, which lasted around ninety minutes, focused heavily on preparedness for counting day. Banerjee stressed the need for strict vigilance, asking agents to monitor every stage of the counting process carefully. She urged party workers to reach counting centres early and operate in a coordinated and disciplined manner to avoid any discrepancies.
According to party sources, Banerjee highlighted that even in cases where the margin extends up to 1,000 votes, agents should remain alert and consider demanding a recount if necessary. She expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, stating that the Trinamool Congress is expected to secure more than 200 seats. However, she cautioned that overconfidence must not lead to complacency.
In addition to procedural vigilance, Banerjee instructed all counting agents to remain present at the centres until the conclusion of the process. She specifically directed that no agent should leave before she addresses the media on May 4, indicating the importance of maintaining party presence throughout the counting period.
The Chief Minister also issued logistical guidance, particularly for constituencies where counting centres are located in remote or rural areas. She advised candidates and agents to arrive a day in advance and arrange accommodation in nearby hotels or lodges to avoid delays on counting day. Reports suggest that several candidates from districts such as West Midnapore and Bankura have already made such arrangements.
Banerjee further emphasised punctuality, instructing agents to reach counting centres by 6 a.m., well ahead of the official start of counting at 8 a.m. She also recommended that agents carry notebooks and pens to document proceedings in real time, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee, the National General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, also addressed the meeting and raised concerns about exit polls predicting a BJP lead. He alleged that such projections were aimed at influencing market sentiment and shaping public perception.
Drawing parallels with previous elections, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that similar trends were observed during the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 general elections. He argued that the BJP itself does not expect to form the government in West Bengal and accused the party of relying on what he described as misleading surveys and financial manipulation.
He further predicted that the Trinamool Congress would surpass its 2021 performance, when it secured 215 seats in the Assembly. Addressing concerns about the election process, he also criticised the role of the Election Commission of India, alleging that party workers faced difficulties from central forces at the grassroots level.
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In a strongly worded statement, Abhishek Banerjee warned that the party would take legal action against any Election Commission-appointed observers found engaging in unconstitutional conduct. He maintained that despite the challenges, the BJP would not be able to secure a victory in the state.
As counting day approaches, both major parties appear to be gearing up for a closely contested outcome, with emphasis on procedural integrity and ground-level coordination likely to play a decisive role.
