TMC will cross 226-mark: Mamata Banerjee rejects exit polls that gave BJP edge
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected exit poll predictions that predicted an edge to the BJP, asserting that her party will comfortably win by crossing the 226-seat mark.
With most exit polls predicting an edge for the BJP in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers to “stand guard” round the clock at counting centres on May 4, the result day. She rejected the pollsters' projections and asserted that her party was headed for a huge victory by crossing the 226-seat mark.
Addressing party workers and supporters in a video message, Banerjee called for constant vigilance through the counting period, saying candidates and senior leaders should personally monitor counting centres across all 294 constituencies.
“I urge our workers and the public to stand united and ensure that, starting today, everyone keeps an equal and vigilant watch over the vote-counting process. If necessary, I myself will step out to stand guard in my own (Bhabanipur) constituency,” she said.
Banerjee dismissed exit polls that projected gains for the BJP, alleging they were part of a broader political narrative intended to demoralise TMC workers. “They know that we are poised to cross the 226-seat mark,” she said, arguing that the BJP was aware it could not stop the TMC’s momentum.
She asked party leaders to maintain a 24-hour watch over polling and counting facilities.
“Keep your workers on duty during the day, but take over the watch yourselves during the night. Stand guard! If I can stand guard, so can you. Stay awake through the night, and only go to sleep in the morning after handing over the watch to the next team,” she added.
The Chief Minister pointed to the 2021 election, saying exit polls had similarly predicted BJP gains but failed to reflect the eventual results.
“The exact same pattern unfolded in 2016, and it has repeated itself in 2021. Time and again, the exit polls they have showcased have been entirely skewed in favour of the BJP,” she said.
Banerjee alleged that media narratives were being amplified to shape perception before counting day. She claimed the BJP circulated messaging to television outlets and said she had received intelligence inputs suggesting the projections were politically motivated.
“The reason they (BJP) orchestrated this media campaign is that they clearly realise they cannot stop us,” she said.
The TMC chief warned workers to closely monitor the handling of EVMs, particularly during transportation from strong rooms to counting halls. “During this critical window, when the EVM machines are being transported from their storage facilities to the counting halls, they (BJP) have hatched a plot to swap the machines,” she alleged.
The Chief Minister thanked voters for turning out in record numbers despite harsh weather. She praised TMC workers for what she described as a “life-and-death battle” against political intimidation and accused central forces and police personnel of excesses in some areas.
Expressing confidence in the outcome, Banerjee further said, “Place your trust in Didi. Place your trust in the people of Bengal. We will successfully form our government of ‘Ma, Mati, Manush,’ (mother, motherland and people).’”
EXIT POLL PREDICTIONS FOR WEST BENGAL
Exit polls projected a tight contest for West Bengal, though most projected an advantage for the BJP in the 294-seat Assembly, where the majority mark stands at 148.
Two agencies – People’s Pulse and Janmat – forecast a comfortable win for the TMC. People’s Pulse estimated 177-187 seats for the TMC, 95-110 for the BJP, 0-1 for the Left Front and 1-3 for the Congress. Janmat projected 195-205 seats for the TMC, 80-90 for the BJP alliance and 1-3 seats for the Congress.
Most other pollsters, however, suggested a BJP edge. Matrize forecast 146-161 seats for the BJP and 125-140 for the TMC, while P-Marq predicted 150-175 seats for the BJP against 118-138 for the TMC.
Poll Diary estimated 142-171 seats for the BJP, 99-127 for the TMC and 3-5 for the Congress. Praja Poll projected one of the strongest performances for the BJP, estimating 178-208 seats for the party and 85-110 for the TMC.
West Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and 29. Both phases recorded turnouts of 93.19 per cent and 92.67 per cent, respectively, the highest figures since Independence.
With most exit polls predicting an edge for the BJP in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers to “stand guard” round the clock at counting centres on May 4, the result day. She rejected the pollsters' projections and asserted that her party was headed for a huge victory by crossing the 226-seat mark.
Addressing party workers and supporters in a video message, Banerjee called for constant vigilance through the counting period, saying candidates and senior leaders should personally monitor counting centres across all 294 constituencies.
“I urge our workers and the public to stand united and ensure that, starting today, everyone keeps an equal and vigilant watch over the vote-counting process. If necessary, I myself will step out to stand guard in my own (Bhabanipur) constituency,” she said.
Banerjee dismissed exit polls that projected gains for the BJP, alleging they were part of a broader political narrative intended to demoralise TMC workers. “They know that we are poised to cross the 226-seat mark,” she said, arguing that the BJP was aware it could not stop the TMC’s momentum.
She asked party leaders to maintain a 24-hour watch over polling and counting facilities.
“Keep your workers on duty during the day, but take over the watch yourselves during the night. Stand guard! If I can stand guard, so can you. Stay awake through the night, and only go to sleep in the morning after handing over the watch to the next team,” she added.
The Chief Minister pointed to the 2021 election, saying exit polls had similarly predicted BJP gains but failed to reflect the eventual results.
“The exact same pattern unfolded in 2016, and it has repeated itself in 2021. Time and again, the exit polls they have showcased have been entirely skewed in favour of the BJP,” she said.
Banerjee alleged that media narratives were being amplified to shape perception before counting day. She claimed the BJP circulated messaging to television outlets and said she had received intelligence inputs suggesting the projections were politically motivated.
“The reason they (BJP) orchestrated this media campaign is that they clearly realise they cannot stop us,” she said.
The TMC chief warned workers to closely monitor the handling of EVMs, particularly during transportation from strong rooms to counting halls. “During this critical window, when the EVM machines are being transported from their storage facilities to the counting halls, they (BJP) have hatched a plot to swap the machines,” she alleged.
The Chief Minister thanked voters for turning out in record numbers despite harsh weather. She praised TMC workers for what she described as a “life-and-death battle” against political intimidation and accused central forces and police personnel of excesses in some areas.
Expressing confidence in the outcome, Banerjee further said, “Place your trust in Didi. Place your trust in the people of Bengal. We will successfully form our government of ‘Ma, Mati, Manush,’ (mother, motherland and people).’”
EXIT POLL PREDICTIONS FOR WEST BENGAL
Exit polls projected a tight contest for West Bengal, though most projected an advantage for the BJP in the 294-seat Assembly, where the majority mark stands at 148.
Two agencies – People’s Pulse and Janmat – forecast a comfortable win for the TMC. People’s Pulse estimated 177-187 seats for the TMC, 95-110 for the BJP, 0-1 for the Left Front and 1-3 for the Congress. Janmat projected 195-205 seats for the TMC, 80-90 for the BJP alliance and 1-3 seats for the Congress.
Most other pollsters, however, suggested a BJP edge. Matrize forecast 146-161 seats for the BJP and 125-140 for the TMC, while P-Marq predicted 150-175 seats for the BJP against 118-138 for the TMC.
Poll Diary estimated 142-171 seats for the BJP, 99-127 for the TMC and 3-5 for the Congress. Praja Poll projected one of the strongest performances for the BJP, estimating 178-208 seats for the party and 85-110 for the TMC.
West Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and 29. Both phases recorded turnouts of 93.19 per cent and 92.67 per cent, respectively, the highest figures since Independence.
