‘Don’t leave counting centres, numbers are fake’: Mamata alleges manipulation as BJP surges in Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged irregularities in counting trends and urged Trinamool Congress workers to stay put at counting centres, claiming the numbers being shown were “fake” as the BJP opened up a commanding early lead in the assembly election results.

In a video message released around noon, the All India Trinamool Congress chief insisted the trends would reverse in later rounds of counting and expressed confidence that her party would eventually regain the advantage.

“Don’t leave the counting centres. The numbers are fake,” Banerjee said.

Her remarks came as the Bharatiya Janata Party was leading in 181 seats, well past the majority mark in the 294-member assembly, while the TMC was trailing at 90 seats.

If the trend holds, it would mark the BJP’s first-ever government in West Bengal.

Mamata’s key allegations

In her message, Banerjee made several sharp claims:

1. TMC is ahead in many seats
She said her party was actually leading in around 100 constituencies, but that the updated numbers were not being reflected publicly.

2. EC and BJP withholding trends
Banerjee accused the Election Commission and the BJP of not displaying trends from seats where the TMC was ahead.

3. ‘Numbers being fed are fake’
She alleged the counting data currently being circulated was misleading.

“The tables will turn after 14 to 18 rounds of counting,” she said.

4. Fresh attack over voter roll controversy
Banerjee revived her criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging the BJP and the Centre had “looted votes” through the exercise.

5. TMC being ‘tortured’
She claimed her party was being targeted “from all directions” during the election process.

Tight battle in Bhabanipur

The closely watched contest in Bhabanipur saw dramatic fluctuations through the early rounds.

Banerjee initially led, then briefly trailed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, before regaining an edge in subsequent rounds.

Adhikari, meanwhile, was leading in his other seat, Nandigram.

BJP eyes historic breakthrough

With the saffron party maintaining a strong lead, the results are shaping up to potentially deliver one of the biggest political upsets in Bengal’s history.

The BJP has never governed West Bengal, making the current trends a potentially landmark moment in the state’s politics.