'Do not lose hearts, we will win after sundown': Mamata confident despite BJP surge; BJP celebrates with 'jhalmuri' and 'kamala bhog'

As the Bharatiya Janata Party inches closer to forming the government in West Bengal, potentially ending the All India Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued an "urgent message" to party workers on counting day.

In a video posted on X, Banerjee urged counting agents and candidates not to leave counting centres. She alleged irregularities in the process, claiming that counting had been halted in several locations after initial rounds.

"Since yesterday, I have been saying that they will show their results first and ours later in the first two or three rounds. Counting has been stopped after two or three rounds in about 100 locations," she said.

She further alleged discrepancies in voting machines and accused central forces of targeting her party. "Seven machines were found in Kalyani where there was no match. It is a forceful use of central forces to suppress the Trinamool Congress," she claimed.

Criticising the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Banerjee alleged that votes were manipulated and that several seats where TMC was leading were not being reported. She also accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the BJP.

Despite early trends indicating a strong BJP lead, Banerjee expressed confidence in a turnaround. "Even if a few rounds are counted, there are many rounds left. You will win after sunset. Wait and watch," she said, urging party workers to stay calm and continue the fight.

BJP celebrations across Bengal

Meanwhile, celebrations erupted among BJP workers across the state as trends pointed towards a decisive victory.

Party supporters distributed traditional snacks like 'jhalmuri' and 'kamala bhog' outside the BJP state headquarters in Kolkata, with leaders and workers expressing confidence in forming the next government.

BJP leader Narayan Chattopadhyay said there was an "atmosphere of happiness," adding that the people of Bengal had voted for change.

Supporters, chanting slogans and celebrating with saffron colours, said the results reflected public demand for development and improved governance. Many also highlighted women's safety and industrial growth as key expectations from aBJP government.

Celebrations were reported from multiple locations, including Durgapur, Ranaghat South and Howrah, where party workers and supporters gathered outside counting centres.

Several BJP supporters described the results as a response to years of dissatisfaction with the ruling party, while others called it a moment of political change for the state.

With counting still underway, the final outcome remains to be confirmed, but early trends and reactions from both camps underline a high-stakes political shift unfolding in West Bengal.