Exit polls suggest the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could win between 150 and 175 seats in the West Bengal 2026 Assembly election [2].
These projections indicate a potential shift in power that would unseat the incumbent government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress). A victory for the BJP would end years of TMC dominance in one of India's most politically contested states.
The election determines the composition of the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly [1]. Voting for the assembly took place in two phases, with the second phase beginning on April 6, 2026 [1, 2]. During this second phase, voters in 142 constituencies cast their ballots, including those in the Bhowanipore area of Kolkata [4].
Data released on April 7, 2026, highlighted the potential for a BJP majority [2]. "BJP to win 150-175 seats, Mamata Banerjee's TMC may lose power, say exit polls," News24Online said [2]. The projections suggest the BJP could secure a comfortable majority of the 294 total seats [1].
However, other data suggests a more competitive environment. Matrize poll analysts said the opinion poll projects a close contest in the upcoming elections [3]. This discrepancy exists between the high-seat projections of some exit polls and the closer race predicted by opinion polls conducted on April 6, 2026 [3].
The election process involved the selection of 294 MLAs to represent the state [1]. Senior BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, have led the party's efforts to capture the assembly [1]. The outcome depends on the final tally from the 142 constituencies that voted in the second phase [4].
“BJP to win 150-175 seats, Mamata Banerjee's TMC may lose power, say exit polls.”
The divergence between the Matrize opinion poll and the News24Online exit poll reflects the high volatility of the West Bengal electorate. If the higher projections hold, it signifies a successful consolidation of the anti-incumbency vote against the TMC. A BJP victory would represent a major strategic shift in regional governance and a significant blow to the TMC's stronghold in eastern India.
