Proving exit polls right, the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday has swept seats across the country, with its allies faring equally well, in a massiveblow to the opposition.
The BJP made stunning inroads in West Bengal where its candidates were ahead in 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats while the ruling Trinamool Congress was ahead in 22 seats. The BJP had won only two seats in 2014. The Congress led in one place while the Left, which ruled the state for decades, faced a washout.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was among the first leaders to congratulate the winners of the 2019 General Elections. She however added that "all losers are not losers".
Without naming any party or candidate, the TMC chief tweeted, "Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched."
Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 23, 2019
The state, which went to polls in seven phases, witnessed the most bitter electioneering between the TMC and the BJP and was marred by large scale violence. In the 2014 elections, the TMC had increased its tally by 15 seats over the 2009 poll results by wresting seats from the Left Front.
This time around, the BJP went all out to make electoral gains in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself holding several rallies. Party chief Amit Shah also addressed many public meetings besides holding road shows in the state.
Banerjee is among the several heavyweight leaders of regional parties who have been at the forefront of a movement to stitch an opposition alliance against the BJP.
Earlier this week, Banerjee met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Kolkata to discuss post poll strategies and their concerns over EVMs. Both the leaders, however, remained tight lipped about the context of the meeting that was held a day after the final phase of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
(With IANS inputs)