Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress' request for recount of votes in Nandigram constituency, where Mamata Banerjee has lost to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari by 1,736 votes, has been rejected by the Election Commission.
The Trinamool Congress had declared the counting process "fishy". Ms Banerjee had alleged "malpractices" and said she would approach the courts.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress is headed for a landslide victory in Bengal. The Trinamool won or was leading in 210 seats, while the BJP won or was leading in 80 as of 11:45 pm. However, for the most part of early trends, both parties were neck and neck.
"Let the Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that. Nandigram was a sacrifice that was needed in the larger victory. We have won the state," said the Chief Minister.
The assembly election was spread over eight rounds of polling for a month amid the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The election saw a fierce contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
Both parties deployed their star candidates in the campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah led the BJP campaign in Bengal, while Ms Banerjee was the main force for the Trinamool Congress during the campaigning phase.
Here are the live updates for results of the West Bengal assembly election 2021:
May 02, 2021 20:53 (IST)
Just In | Three-member Trinamool delegation is meeting Chief Electoral Officer at the Election Commission Office in Kolkata asking for recount in Nandigram and certain other serious issues.
May 02, 2021 20:07 (IST)
"Never seen such an election": Trinamool's Derek O'Brien
"I have been with Trinamool Congress now for 20 years, but I have never seen such an election in my life. It was a filthy campaign that was run by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien said.
May 02, 2021 19:56 (IST)
"Respect mandate of people": BJP
"The Bharatiya Janata Party heartily respects the mandate of the people of Bengal and expresses gratitude to the people for this result. We thank Dilip Ghosh and all the workers for their tenacity and hard work. The BJP will continue to work for the dream of Sonar Bengal," BJP chief JP Nadda tweeted.
May 02, 2021 18:39 (IST)
"Bengal has saved India": Mamata Banerjee
"Bengal has saved India. This is a victory of the people of Bengal and the people of India and the victory of democracy. Bengal has decimated BJP's ego," Mamata Banerjee said. "My first priority will be to work in the interest of the people - all who are affected by COVID-19... Despite all the efforts of the central forces, this has been a landslide victory for us. However, I appeal to everyone not to have any victory celebration due to the pandemic. The Election Commission fought with us just like BJP spokespersons. But we battled all and emerged victorious," she said.
May 02, 2021 18:29 (IST)
"Grateful To People For Landslide Victory": Mamata Banerjee
"We are grateful to the people for this landslide victory. I have to start working for COVID19 immediately. The swearing-in will be a low-key event because of the prevailing COVID19 situation," said Mamata Banerjee.
May 02, 2021 18:27 (IST)
"BJP Played Dirty Politics": Mamata Banerjee
"BJP has lost the elections. They played dirty politics. We faced the horror of Election Commission," said Mamata Banerjee.
May 02, 2021 18:22 (IST)
"Don't worry about Nandigram": Mamata Banerjee
"Don't worry about Nandigram. I struggled for Nandigram because I fought a movement. It's ok. Let Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that. I don't mind. We won more than 221 seats and BJP has lost the election," Mamata Banerjee said.
