New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress and the BJP were in a neck-and-neck competition in Bengal before Mamata Banerjee's party took the lead. However, BJP is now leading in 18 seats, which is a big jump from last time's win in two seats. A close competition ensues between the parties.
The BJP is heading for a landslide victory with the party alone set to cross the 300 mark on its own as leads showed a NDA sweep in the national elections.
The crucial Lok Sabha election results will be announced today after a marathon seven-phased election. West Bengal is a crucial state as it sends 42 lawmakers to the Lok Sabha. The Mamata Banerjee-ruled state had a majority the 2014 elections with 34 wins for her party Trinamool Congress. Exit polls have predicted 14 seats for the BJP this time; only two from the party won last time. Mamata Banerjee, the firebrand leader of the state, has been one of the fiercest critics of the Narendra Modi government.
Bengal has been marred by violence since the beginning of the elections with Section 144 being imposed in Bhatpara on Tuesday. Bombs were flung; cars were set on fire in the North 24 Parganas district before the Election Commission imposed prohibitory orders.
Last week, a statue of Bengal reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalised at BJP chief Amit Shah's rally in Kolkata. Trinamool and BJP blamed each other for the violence. A day later, the Election Commission invoked Article 324 of the Constitution to prohibit campaigning in nine constituencies of West Bengal from 10 pm on Thursday until the conclusion of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19.
Counting of votes is underway and the Election Commission has said the final results will be in only by late evening.
Here are the highlights of Bengal election results:
May 23, 2019 20:33 (IST)
Election Results 2019: The two castes PM Modi proposes
There was a time when some political parties kept slogans like "let secular forces unite, let secularism stand as one". But between 2014 and 2019, their reality was unveiled and this time no one mustered the courage to try and spread lies under the garb of secularism. They stood exposed.
After 5 years of our governance, the opposition could not find a single issue to blame us. No corruption, no real issues to blame us that tells a story.
We are now building a new India and the first thing to end in this New India will be this caste system that holds us back and divides us. From here on there will only be 2 castes. One caste is 'Poor' and the other caste is of those who will contribute in every smallest way possible to help those who need to be brought out of poverty.
May 23, 2019 20:17 (IST)
This is not Modi's win, says PM Modi at BJP headquarters
There are many who say Modi-Modi. But this win is not Modi's win. It is the victory of the earnest and honest Indian. It is the victory of those farmers who work night and day, through blood and sweat so that we get our meals. It is a win for that woman in rural India who waited for ages just to get a toilet. It is a win for those who sat in darkness for decades just to see the luxury of a light bulb. This is their victory.
May 23, 2019 20:16 (IST)
BJP is a special party, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi
BJP is a special party. Nothing stops us. Nothing holds us back. We work and work tirelessly and stay focused. In fact, there was a time when we were even down to 2. Even when we were down to two, we never gave up. We never went off track. We kept our focus and worked very hard and today we all are here and you all can see and that is our story. And that is what is special about the BJP.
May 23, 2019 20:13 (IST)
Election Results 2019: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at BJP headquarters
This is the biggest democratic event in the whole world.
To give your life's contribution to the cause of democracy is the essence of democracy... and I thank every single person who has been involved in this process from the bottom of my heart and hold you all in the highest regard.
When Krishna was asked who he represents... he replied, I stand for no one person or people... I stand for Hastinapur... so if today someone has won, it is India that has won... if someone is victorious in this celebration of democracy, it is the people...And hence, I place this victory at the feet of the people of India.
I want to wish the best to all those who were elected today to parliament, and sincerely hope that everyone in parliament will work together for the betterment of the country... and to take the country forward.
There were many state elections too... and I want to congratulate those who have been elected in the respective states.... I salute them and the federal structure of India... I assure them all that we will work together as a team... The Centre will cooperate and work with states every step of the way.
May 23, 2019 19:59 (IST)
Amit Shah speaks about Bengal gain after BJP's massive victory
What do I say about Bengal. After being targeted, attacked... many of our party workers even lost their lives in our struggle in Bengal... but we have performed extremely well by getting 18 or 19 seats...I thank every single person in Bengal... every single party worker... every single voter to turn out in spite of all the ragging and violence and come out and vote for the BJP.
May 23, 2019 13:38 (IST)
Bengal Election Results: Mamata Banerjee tweeted a congratulatory message on Twitter:
"Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched."
May 23, 2019 12:31 (IST)
Trinamool Congress congratulates Y S Jagan Reddy as YSR Congress heads for landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh
May 23, 2019 11:14 (IST)
BENGAL ELECTION RESULTS LIVE: BJP's Roopa Ganguly slams Trinamool
BJP leader Roopa Ganguly on Thursday said that BJP would have won more seats in West Bengal had Trinamool Congress (TMC) not resorted to violence and pressurise the masses in all the seven phases of elections in the state.
"People are tired of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Had the elections been held in a fair manner BJP would have won more than 30 seats here that is what Banerjee was afraid of, hence the violence in all seven phases," Ms Ganguly told ANI.
She asserted that BJP was afraid for the security of people in those constituencies where BJP performed exceptionally but could not secure a win because of TMC's goons.
"This is an election and there is no second winner here. We are afraid for the people from the places where BJP would not win despite performing well. I am afraid there could be a new surge of violence (by TMC) in those areas, it would be great for the safety of the people of the state if BJP takes a late lead in majority seats," she said.
May 23, 2019 10:58 (IST)
Bengal Lok Sabha Election Results: Abhishek Banerjee in the lead
TMC's Abhishek Banerjee and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew is in the lead in Diamond Harbour.
