West Bengal Elections 2026: TMC Claims Lead in 125 Seats After Phase 1

The political climate in West Bengal has reached a fever pitch following the completion of the first phase of the state assembly elections. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made a bold proclamation, claiming it is on track to secure at least 125 seats out of the 152 that went to polls in the initial stage. Internal party assessments suggest that this figure could even climb as high as 135, a development that would place Mamata Banerjee’s administration in a commanding position to form the government for a fourth consecutive term. This confidence appears to be rooted in the exceptionally high voter turnout and a perceived surge in support from female voters across rural and urban belts.

Addressing a rally in Kolkata’s Bowbazar, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her satisfaction with the voting patterns observed so far. She noted that the public’s mood indicates a strong preference for the status quo, despite challenges regarding voter list discrepancies. Banerjee highlighted concerns over the omission of valid voters from the rolls, suggesting that those who were able to cast their ballots did so with a sense of protest and urgency. The TMC leadership believes that the widespread popularity of social welfare schemes, such as direct cash transfers, has effectively neutralized any anti-incumbency sentiment that the opposition hoped to exploit.

TMC spokespersons Kunal Ghosh and State Minister Bratya Basu presented specific projections during a press briefing, asserting that the party has already neared the majority mark. Ghosh went as far as to predict the defeat of the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, in his own constituency. These claims have been met with swift counter-assertions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Adhikari himself claimed that the saffron party is poised to win 125 seats in the same phase. The stark difference in the two parties‍‍` claims has created a narrative of dual realities as both sides wait for the official counting process to validate their internal data.

Analyzing the high turnout, Bratya Basu dismissed the traditional political theory that high voting percentages necessarily signal a desire for change. Drawing parallels with previous elections in Bihar, he argued that a massive turnout often reflects a consolidated mandate for the incumbent government. As the election moves toward the TMC’s traditional strongholds in South Bengal, the party expects its lead to widen significantly. Party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has also echoed this optimism, stating that the voting has followed the party’s strategic expectations to the letter.

The controversy surrounding the voter list remains a major point of contention. TMC leaders allege that while many names were removed under the guise of list correction, the remaining voters showed up in record numbers to protect their democratic rights. Political observers point out that the coming phases will be even more critical as the battle shifts to areas where the BJP has previously shown strength. For now, the TMC’s claim of 125 seats has set a high bar for the remainder of the election cycle, turning the 2026 West Bengal polls into one of the most closely watched political contests in recent Indian history. All eyes are now on the Election Commission’s final data to see if these early claims hold any ground.