Votes have been cast, ballots are sealed, and all eyes are now on counting day, May 4, when the results of the high-stakes and intensely foughtWest BengalAssembly election 2026 will be declared. The fight in Bengal is between theTrinamool Congressled by incumbent CMMamata Banerjeeand theBharatiya Janata Party(BJP). The former, that has been ruling the state for the last 15 years, fought this election eyeing another term, while the BJP contested with the objective of putting its winning stamp for the very first time in the state. For the voters, who had a choice between the two Cs — continuity or change — have played their part by voting in record numbers since independence and the focus is now on the clock to turn 8 AM on May 4, when the counting begins.

Before the counting begins, the exit polls have also tried to predict what could be the possible outcome, but the real one will only be out on May 4. While there’s still a day left for the counting to begin, let’s take a look at some of the crucial seats in West Bengal whose results will set the next narrative.

Nandigram is one of those seats that will be closely watched on May 4. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee on this seat in the 2021 polls, is eyeing his second consecutive victory in 2026. He stands against Trinamool Congress’ Pabitra Kar.

Defeating Mamata Banerjee in 2021, Nandigram has since then become a BJP stronghold. This is one constituency which the saffron party is confident of having in its kitty for sure.

During the campaigning, Suvendu Adhikari expressed confidence in BJP's prospects in the state, calling the region a "BJP stronghold". He asserted that the party would secure victory across constituencies in the area.

"This is a BJP stronghold...BJP will win all seats here... People here are against appeasement and are with Prime Minister Modi... BJP will win all seats... This time, the BJP will win nearly 177 seats, this is my personal analysis…”

Another Bengal seat which probably is even more in the focus and expected to emerge as the number one trend on May 4 is Bhabanipur. This is the seat of incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who once again faces challenge from none other than her former aide, Suvendu Adhikari.

After defeating Mamata in the last election 2021 from Nandigram, Suvendu is hoping to unseat the Bengal CM from Bhabanipur also this time.

CM Banerjee is the sitting MLA from the seat, but Adhikari's previous win against her in Nandigram has raised the stakes this time around.

The tension marks a dramatic escalation in the "battle of Bhabanipur," a seat Banerjee has held since 2011 but which the BJP has made its "biggest target" in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now