BJP will form next government in West Bengal: Tripura CM

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday asserted that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal, as people for the first time in decades exercised their franchise without fear or intimidation. We are confident that the BJP will form the next government in West Bengal, because for the first time in decades, people could exercise their democratic right freely, Saha said.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday asserted that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal, as people ''for the first time in decades'' exercised their franchise ''without fear or intimidation''. West Bengal's high-stakes assembly elections ended on Wednesday with a massive voter turnout of 91.66 per cent in the second and final phase, and a cumulative 92.47 per cent polling in two phases. ''The entire nation is looking forward to the electoral outcome in West Bengal. A political change is needed in West Bengal not only for the state, but for the entire country,'' he told reporters. ''We are confident that the BJP will form the next government in West Bengal, because for the first time in decades, people could exercise their democratic right freely,'' Saha said. Earlier, the chief minister held a meeting with top officials to review the restoration and rehabilitation efforts for people affected by recent storms across Tripura. ''The administration has already begun releasing compensation for the storm-affected families,'' he said. Saha said one villager died in lightning in Dhalai district on Tuesday, and a comprehensive damage report is being prepared. The IMD on Wednesday issued a 'red alert' for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state for the next two days.