WB Election results 2026: TMC calls early trends ‘fishy’ amidst allegations of EC mismanagement

Kolkata: High-ranking officials within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have characterised the early stages of Monday’s ballot counting as "fishy," as initial trends showed several of the party's prominent candidates trailing in a fiercely contested election.

The burgeoning leads for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have sparked visible concern among TMC loyalists, prompting a shift toward a more guarded rhetoric as the possibility of a landslide victory appeared to recede in the opening rounds.

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Confidence Amidst Deficits

In North Kolkata’s Maniktala constituency, TMC candidate Shrreya Pande remained steadfast in her optimism despite trailing the BJP’s Tapas Roy. Pande, who is seeking to retain the seat held by her late father, Sadhan Pande, alleged that the Election Commission (EC) was failing to adequately support the party's candidates and counting agents.

"It is very fishy, but this is only the first round. I am confident of winning," Pande told reporters. "Of the 20 rounds, only one has been completed. Wait for the rest. The TMC will form the government in the state again."

Allegations of Mismanagement

Other party veterans echoed Pande’s scepticism, pointing to logistical hurdles at various tabulation centres. Shashi Panja, an incumbent West Bengal Minister and candidate for Shyampukur, alleged that election personnel were intentionally stalling the entry of authorised political agents.

Panja suggested that the staff on-site appeared unfamiliar with the protocols, leading to significant bottlenecks at the gates. "The poll personnel are delaying the counting process as there is confusion at the entry gates of the centres," she said. "They are delaying the entry of counting agents as they seem to be at a loss about the arrangements."

In the Kakdwip constituency, TMC candidate Manturam Pakhira reported a one-hour delay in the commencement of the count. Pakhira criticised the EC for what he termed "total mismanagement," claiming that numerous counting officials had failed to arrive at their assigned stations on time.

The Statewide Stakes

The tabulation process began at 8 a.m. across 77 centres in 23 districts, determining the political fate of 2,926 candidates. The results will establish whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can secure a historic fourth term or if the BJP will successfully form its first government in the state.

As of late morning, the counting for 293 of the 294 assembly segments was proceeding under a rigorous, multi-layered security cordon. While the TMC maintains that the early numbers are not representative of the final outcome, the BJP’s initial performance has set the stage for a tense afternoon of reporting.

With inputs from PTI