West Bengal elections: Opinion poll predicts edge for TMC but big rise in BJP's seat tally

Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC may secure a fourth term in West Bengal in the two-phase assembly polls but a resurgent BJP could take the fight to the ruling party, according to an opinion poll.

An opinion poll released by IANS-Matrize West Bengal, on the day Election Commission announced the poll schedule, has predicted 155-170 seats for TMC in the 294-member assembly, a sharp decline from the previous elections.

However, BJP is not far behind and may bag 100-115 seats in the state, according to the opinion poll.

While the prediction projects a victory for Mamata Banerjee, it signals that the election may well turn into a close fight.

The IANS-Matrize opinion poll predicted that TMC will bag 43-45% of the vote share in the state while NDA may get 41–43%.

In the 2021 West Bengal polls, TMC secured a handsome majority in the state after winning 215 seats. The BJP, which ran a spirited campaign, managed 77 seats in the assembly. However, the results were a huge improvement from BJP's 2016 performance when it bagged just 3 seats.

The elections in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will be held on May 4.

Mamata Banerjee, who has ruled the state since dislodging the Left rule in 2011, is eyeing a fourth consecutive term in West Bengal. She faces a stiff challenge from BJP, which has expanded its footprint in the state and is hoping to unseat the formidable TMC government.

The Congress and CPM are also in the fray. Both parties drew a blank in the 2021 elections but are hoping to improve their seat tally to maintain political relevance.