‘We will win at sunset’: Mamata urges TMC to ‘fight till the end like tigers’ as BJP lead widens in Bengal counting
The Statesman | 5 May 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday sought to steady her party ranks with a video message during the ongoing counting of votes, asserting that “ultimately Trinamool Congress will have the last laugh”.
The appeal came at around 12.30 pm, at a time when candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party were leading in more than 190 seats. With several rounds still to be completed, Banerjee framed the early trend as part of a larger pattern she had warned about.
She urged all All India Trinamool Congress candidates and counting agents to remain at counting centres till the very end and not be swayed by initial figures.
In the video message posted on X, Banerjee said the early leads being shown in favour of the BJP were expected. “This is the BJP’s plan. This I have been saying since Sunday. In the initial rounds, it will be shown that the BJP candidates are ahead in a majority of the assembly constituencies,” she said.
She also claimed that counting had been halted after the first few rounds in several constituencies. “I heard that in almost 100 assembly constituencies, they have stopped counting after the first two to three rounds,” she added.
The Chief Minister accused the Election Commission of India of allowing misinformation to spread and acting arbitrarily. She alleged that Trinamool candidates were leading in another 100 seats, but the figures were not being announced.
“Already, they have deleted a number of voters in the course of the special intensive revision. They are feeding total misinformation. The Election Commission of India is acting on its own whims and fancies,” she said.
Banerjee further alleged that central forces were harassing and assaulting Trinamool workers in different parts of the state. She also claimed that even the state police were currently functioning under the control of the Commission.
Despite the early trends, Banerjee maintained that there was no cause for concern as counting was far from complete. She called on party workers to remain firm and vigilant.
“I request the Trinamool Congress candidates and counting agents not to get disheartened. Stick to your respective counting centres, counting rooms and counting tables till the end. I am assuring you that we will be winning at sunset,” she said.
Reiterating her confidence, the Chief Minister added, “We are all with you. We will win finally. Be assured. Do not be scared. Fight till the end like tigers.”