Kolkata, April 23: TMC leader and minister Bratya Basu spoke to reporters, asserting that the party expects to secure at least 125 seats in the first phase of voting. Today, voting took place across 152 seats, and Basu believes that 125-135 of these will favor the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Basu noted that while some minor incidents were reported, the unprecedented deployment of central forces by the Election Commission in Bengal is commendable. He mentioned that the Director General, Police Commissioner, and Additional Director General (Law and Order) have all been replaced, and a significant number of central forces have been called in, making it the Commission’s responsibility to ensure a smooth election process.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also shared his thoughts on the first phase of voting. He stated that voters turned out in support of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and expressed confidence that this trend would continue into the second phase.
Ghosh questioned the BJP’s confidence, recalling their similar misplaced optimism in 2021 when they claimed, “This time, over 200 seats.” He pointed out that they ended up with only 77 seats, which has now dwindled to around 60. He characterized their claims as mere false confidence.
Manav Kumar Parua, the TMC candidate from the Bhagwanpur constituency, expressed gratitude for his nomination and emphasized that the voting process felt like a celebration. He credited the collective efforts of all political parties in raising awareness among voters, acknowledging his own contributions.
Humayun Kabir, president of the Aam Janata Party, commented on the 90% voter turnout, suggesting that a higher percentage of votes would complicate matters for the ruling party while benefiting the opposition. He confidently claimed he would win both seats by a significant margin.
Sangeeta Prasad, the presiding officer at a polling station in Asansol, reported that the arrangements were excellent. Assistance was provided to voters who needed help, and there were no altercations or violations of rules. She noted that police security was comprehensive, ensuring a problem-free voting experience.
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