West Bengal Elections 2026: BJP Celebrates Exit Polls as TMC Calls for Vigil at Strongrooms
West Bengal’s political atmosphere turned sharply contrasting on Thursday, just hours after the second phase of polling in the 2026 Assembly elections wrapped up.
While the mood in the BJP camp was upbeat and celebratory, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) adopted a far more cautious, almost defensive stance.
At the BJP’s state headquarters in Salt Lake, there was a steady buzz of excitement. Party workers gathered in large numbers, many carrying sweets and flowers, as they spoke confidently about their chances.
The optimism was largely driven by favourable exit polls and the strong voter turnout seen in both phases of polling.
“The energy you see here reflects what people have decided,” said a party functionary, hinting at what they believe could be a decisive mandate when results are announced on May 4.
Despite the long and tiring campaign, footfall at the office remained high throughout the day, giving the place a festive feel — though leaders have advised workers to keep celebrations on hold until official results are declared.
The high turnout has also boosted the BJP’s confidence. The first phase alone saw over 92% voter participation, and party leaders view that as a strong signal of public engagement and possible support.
A Cautious TMC Strategy
In sharp contrast, offices of the All India Trinamool Congress across the state remained largely shut during the day, with some opening only briefly in the evening. Party leaders say this is not unusual, but part of a deliberate strategy.
According to TMC insiders, concerns over alleged intimidation by central forces have prompted them to avoid operating from fixed, easily identifiable locations. Instead, planning and coordination are being carried out discreetly.
A senior leader from Bhabanipur explained that workers are being mobilised in small groups and will stay stationed at counting centres and strongrooms until the final votes are counted. “We are not taking any chances,” the leader said.
Mamata Banerjee’s Call for Vigil
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also taken a firm stand, urging party workers to remain alert. In a video message, she asked cadres to guard strongrooms and counting centres round the clock.
“If I can stay awake, you can too,” she said, appealing to workers to remain vigilant through the night and ensure the safety of what she described as the people’s mandate.
Banerjee also dismissed exit polls outright, calling them politically motivated attempts to demoralise TMC supporters. According to her, the final results could be very different from what early projections suggest.
Allegations and Protests
Tensions were also visible outside some counting centres. Senior TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a protest outside Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, raising concerns over alleged attempts to access electronic voting machines without proper oversight.
They claimed that such actions, if true, could compromise transparency and demanded stricter monitoring.
On the ground, party workers appeared to be taking these warnings seriously. In parts of south Kolkata, small groups were seen discussing logistics and planning shifts to keep watch near strongrooms.
“We trust what Didi has said,” said a local worker, adding that welfare schemes over the past decade and a half have built strong support, especially among women voters. “We are confident, but we will remain careful.”
BJP Keeps Watch, Prepares Quietly
Interestingly, most BJP candidates stayed away from the Salt Lake headquarters, choosing instead to remain in their respective constituencies.
Party leaders said this was part of a coordinated effort to monitor strongrooms where EVMs are stored.
Even as celebrations are being quietly planned — with arrangements reportedly in place for sweets, colours, and crackers — the party has instructed workers not to celebrate prematurely.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya spent the day reviewing updates and speaking with candidates. While measured in tone, his confidence was clear.
“We are focused on forming the government with a full majority. Celebrations can wait,” he said.
He also credited the smooth conduct of polling to the Election Commission and central security forces, noting that the high turnout reflects voter trust in the process.
Waiting for the Final Verdict
As West Bengal heads toward counting day, the political divide is not just ideological — it’s visible in mood and strategy as well. One side is preparing for celebration, the other for vigilance.
With strongrooms under watch and tensions running high, all eyes are now on May 4, when the votes will be counted, and the state will finally know which way the mandate has swung.
