Celebrations at the offices of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal have already begun with boxes of sweets and green gulal as the ruling party is on lead against its closes rival, BJP in the panchayat elections.
However, the counting of the votes is a long way off.
“It’s TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state,” said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Counting for the 74,000 seats in three-tier panchayat poll is underway. Alongside the 63,229 gram panchayat seats, there are 9,730 panchayat samiti seats and 928 of zilla parishad.
The Data released from the State Election Commission shows that the Trinamool Congress is at the front with 23,198 seats and BJP is leading with 5,756. While, CPI (M) and Congress are leading with 2,048 and 1,439 seats respectively.
15 people were killed in a violence that took place amid the polling on Monday. Repolling at 696 booths were again held over the allegations of tampering with the ballot box.
Today morning as well, there were crude bombing near a vote counting centre in Mushidabad after which the police resorted to laathicharge in Howrah.
The counting is taking place amid the heavy security as the teams of Central forces and armed state police personnel have been deployed around the counting centres with prohibitory orders in place like Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed.
Meanwhile, the BJP has alleged the TMC of “making attempts to loot votes” by restricting opposition agents from the counting centres.
