Desk Correspondent , Kolkata - Counting of votes for West Bengal's 294-member Assembly got underway this morning amid tight security, with early trends showing a massive swing towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across the state, potentially ending the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s 15-year dominance. In Kolkata, home to 11 assembly seats that were swept by TMC in 2021, the saffron party has made significant inroads, reflecting deep anti-incumbency over issues like the school jobs scam and the RG Kar rape-murder case. Statewide, BJP was leading in around 195 seats while TMC trailed with leads in about 87-90 constituencies as counting progressed into the afternoon.

The high-octane contest in Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking re-election against her former aide and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of BJP, remains the focal point. Trends fluctuated sharply through multiple rounds, with Mamata Banerjee regaining a lead of several thousand votes in later rounds after early swings favoured Adhikari. A victory or even a narrow win for Mamata would bolster TMC's morale in its urban stronghold, but any upset here would symbolise a seismic shift, allowing BJP to plant the saffron flag in the City of Joy for the first time. Kolkata's educated voters, frustrated with governance lapses, appear to have tilted towards BJP's campaign centred on "real change," development promises, and cultural appeals, even as TMC banked on its welfare schemes and Bengali identity politics.

Other key Kolkata seats like Ballygunge, Rashbehari, Entally, and Kolkata Port also witnessed intense competition, with BJP candidates mounting strong challenges against sitting TMC MLAs. The Left and Congress have been reduced to marginal players, turning the fight largely into a bipolar TMC-BJP contest. Overall voter turnout in Kolkata stood at around 88.6%, lower than the state's record 92.47%, yet urban booths saw enthusiastic participation. As results trickle in, political observers note that a BJP breakthrough in Kolkata could pave the way for forming the next government, reshaping the power dynamics not just in the capital but across West Bengal. Final tallies for all seats are expected by late evening, with one repoll pending later.