India, May 4 -- Counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 is underway, with early trends showing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossing the majority mark and gaining a strong lead across the state.

According to the latest trends, the BJP is leading in over 180 seats, well above the halfway mark of 148 in the 294-member Assembly. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is trailing significantly and is currently ahead in less than 100 seats.

The election marks a direct contest between the BJP and TMC, with Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition and former Trinamool leader, emerging as a key challenger. The Congress and Left Front are also in the fray, though their presence remains...