Mamata Banerjee in Tight Contest as Bhabanipur Counting Narrows

The Bhabanipur Assembly polls showcase a fierce battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari. Initially leading by over 17,000 votes, Banerjee's margin narrowed to 3,830 votes after 14 rounds. Both leaders are treating this tightly fought contest as a prestige battle in the state.

The high-stakes showdown in the Bhabanipur Assembly polls has grown increasingly tense. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saw her initial 17,000-vote lead against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari diminish to just 3,830 votes after 14 rounds of counting. The contest is one of the most closely watched in the state.

Banerjee started with a 1,996-vote lead in the first round, only for Adhikari to leap ahead in the second round. As the rounds progressed, Banerjee expanded her lead significantly, but saw it reduced bit by bit. By the 14th round, the gap had slimmed down dramatically, transforming the race into a nail-biter.

Both leaders recognize the significance of this contest as a matter of prestige in the state. The counting takes place at the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' High School, where Banerjee made an appearance amid allegations of irregularities. Meanwhile, Adhikari remained inside, heightening the tension around this pivotal electoral battle.