A senior Trinamool Congress leader has reflected on the party’s defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections, outlining factors he said contributed to the outcome.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 207 seats, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. Mamata Banerjee’s party secured 80 seats, while the Congress managed just two. Speaking to News18, senior TMC MP Saugata Roy addressed the verdict and its underlying causes.

Local factors and anti-incumbency cited

On the reasons for the loss, Roy said: “There was extortion at the local level and local dadas created a wrong atmosphere. There has been huge anti-incumbency which we could not realise".

Poll conduct and voter trends flagged

On the conduct of the polls, he stated: “Though there were certain high-handed actions by CAPF, the vote was peaceful".

Referring to voting patterns, Roy added: “There has been consolidation of the Hindu vote. We failed to understand all this".