BJP Takes Commanding Early Lead in Falta Repoll, Trinamool Slips to Fourth Spot

Kolkata- The Bharatiya Janata Party surged ahead in the early rounds of counting for the repoll in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency on Sunday, with party candidate Debnagshi Panda opening up a massive lead over rivals.

According to figures released by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Panda secured 9,534 votes after the first round of counting.

The BJP candidate was followed by CPI(M) nominee Sambhunath Kurmi with 448 votes, while Congress candidate Abdur Razzak managed 225 votes.

In a major setback for the ruling Trinamool Congress, its candidate Jahangir Khan slipped to fourth place with only 210 votes in the opening round.

Counting is scheduled to continue for 21 rounds, with the final result expected by around 1 p.m. However, BJP workers and supporters gathered outside the counting centre had already begun celebrations, distributing sweets and raising slogans.

A BJP supporter at the venue claimed that voters in Falta had finally been able to cast ballots without fear or intimidation during the repoll.

“Since Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011, voters in Falta never got a chance to vote freely. This time, polling was peaceful and everyone could cast their vote without fear. We are confident that Debnagshi Panda will register a massive victory,” the supporter said.

The repoll in Falta was held separately after results for the remaining 293 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal were declared on May 4.

The BJP had swept the elections with victories in 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats. Congress won two constituencies, while the CPI(M) and the All India Secular Front secured one seat each.

Meanwhile, Humayun Kabir, founder of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party and a former Trinamool legislator, won from both Naoda and Rejinagar constituencies in Murshidabad district.

If the BJP maintains its lead and wins the Falta seat, its strength in the West Bengal Assembly will rise to 208 seats.

With inputs from IANS