India, April 24 -- The TMC on Thursday countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that the high voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls indicates an "overwhelming mandate for change", claiming that it instead reflects strong backing for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Government's development agenda.

Responding to Modi's remarks, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the surge in polling percentage has "decisively gone in favour of the ruling party" and signals a clear rejection of the BJP.

"The BJP is trying to misread the massive turnout. This is not a vote for change, but a resounding endorsement of Banerjee's governance. The people of Bengal have broken the BJP's backbone in the very first phase...