Mamata says Covid first priority as TMC gains big lead over BJP

As counting of votes in West Bengal assembly elections is under way Sunday with Trinamool Congress taking a big lead over rival Bharatiya Janata Party, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged all to not take out victory rallies amid Covid-19 situation, reports Times of India.

“I would like to thank everyone. I request all to not take out victory processions. I urge everyone to go back to their homes now,” she said. Covid-19 is her party’s first priority, Mamata added.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has won Nandigram constituency by 1200 votes defeating BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.

The DMK is comfortably ahead in Tamil Nadu and the LDF has widened its lead in Kerala. In Assam, NDA has crossed the majority mark, reports TOI.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) took a big lead over rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as vote counting continued in West Bengal assembly elections.

Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, is leading in over 215 seats while BJP is projected to win just over 74 seats, according to reports.

The West Bengal assembly has 294 seats and voting held in 292 seats in eight phases, between March 27 and April 29. Voting in two seats remained suspended due to the death of candidates.

Vote counting is also underway in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry assembly elections. Voting in Assam state held in three phases and while other states took votes in a single phase on April 6.

Exit polls had predicted a close contest between the TMC and BJP in the West Bengal election.

With the outcome, Mamata Banerjee is now set to win the third term in the key Indian state neighbouring Bangladesh.