TMC to win over 200 seats: Mamata tells party workers, rejects exit polls
Mamata Banerjee accused exit polls of influencing market sentiment and told party workers the TMC was on track for over 200 seats
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (May 2) brushed aside exit poll projections, alleging that such surveys were being circulated with the intention of influencing stock market sentiment, while asserting that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was comfortably on course to secure more than 200 seats in the recently-concluded Assembly elections.
Addressing party workers, candidates and counting agents through a virtual meeting two days ahead of the declaration of results, Banerjee congratulated grassroots workers for what party insiders described as an intense and uncompromising campaign across the state.
Reiterating her confidence in the party’s electoral performance, she told party leaders that the TMC would "win and win by over 200 seats".
Slams exit polls
During the meeting, Banerjee also mounted a sharp attack on exit polls, alleging that similar narratives had been created in earlier elections as well. "Exit polls are nothing but an attempt to manipulate the stock market. They did it in 2021, 2024 and now," said Banerjee reported India Today quoted sources.
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The virtual session, which reported began at around 4.30 pm, was attended by all counting agents of the party, along with senior leaders, district coordinators and candidates who contested the Assembly polls.
Counting day preparations
According to local media reports, a substantial part of the discussion focused on preparations for counting day and the protocols that would have to be followed once electronic voting machines are brought out of strong rooms for counting.
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Banerjee is also learnt to have raised concerns over the conduct of central forces deployed during polling, referring to what she described as “atrocities” and “brutality” against party workers and supporters in several constituencies.
According to media reports, she assured workers that those who had stood their ground despite alleged intimidation would not be forgotten by the party leadership.
Allegations against Central forces
Echoing a similar charge, TMC national general secretary and Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the BJP had attempted to influence voting through the use of central forces, particularly in rural pockets.
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"They went into every village and lane, assaulted women and didn't spare even children. A certain section of the media is also helping them," he said.
A senior TMC leader, according to as local media report, said Banerjee and Abhishek instructed counting agents to remain in constant touch with the party’s top leadership from counting centres, report developments round by round, and not leave until the counting process is fully complete.