As counting of votes continues for the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has ordered that no victory rallies or celebratory processions will be permitted in the state on Monday.
Special observer Subrata Gupta said no post-result rallies will be allowed anywhere in the state, adding that the poll body is also examining complaints related to delays in access for polling agents to counting centres.
“No rallies celebrating wins of candidates following the announcement of results will be allowed anywhere in the state today,” Gupta told reporters.
Early trends from counting suggest a narrow lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party over the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term in the state.
In constituency-level trends, BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau was leading in Jhargram by 5,156 votes, while party candidate Saikat Panja was ahead in Monteswar by 3,486 votes over his TMC rival Siddiqullah Chowdhury. In Asansol Dakshin, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul was ahead by 6,271 votes. The party was also leading in several other constituencies, including Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, and Durgapur Purba.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Kolkata, particularly at counting centres, with a three-tier security system in place. Heavy deployment of police and central forces has been made outside key locations, including the Sakhawat Memorial School counting centre in Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Counting continues across 77 centres covering 293 Assembly constituencies amid tight security and heightened political tension.
