BJP Celebrates In Bengal As Saffron Surge Reaches Neck-And-Neck With Trinamool In Current Leads
West Bengal is looking at a saffron surge as the BJP is racing towards an impressive score, closing the gap fast with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress as votes are counted for the national election today. Analysts read the results in Bengal as the "Left turning right". The Left's vote share of 30 per cent has transferred to the BJP, analysts say. In the 2014 general elections, BJP had won only two parliamentary constituencies, while TMC garnered 34 seats. West Bengal went to polls in all seven phases from April 11 to May 19.
Over the past two years, the BJP's efforts on the ground saw multiple confrontations with the state government, especially over rallies and marches held on religious events, and chants of "Jai Shri Ram" competing with the traditional "Ma Durga".
Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of resorting to violence and even vote-rigging to raise its tally in Bengal. The BJP had hit back at Ms Banerjee, accusing her of "murdering" democracy in the state.
