The Election Commission’s schedule drop for assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry has ignited fervor, but an IANS-Materiz survey steals the show with its bold projections for Bengal.
In a two-phase battle across 294 constituencies—April 23 for the first 152 seats and April 29 for the rest—results will unfold on May 4. Majority mark stands at 148 seats.
Public opinion, gauged fresh after the announcement, favors TMC with 155-170 seats, affirming Mamta Banerjee’s enduring appeal for another stint in power. BJP, however, emerges as the dark horse, tipped for 100-115 seats, up sharply from last time. Others may snag 5-7.
Vote percentages underscore the razor-thin margin: TMC 43-45%, NDA 41-43%, others 13-15%. Bengal’s electorate boasts 6.44 crore registered voters: 3.28 crore males, 3.16 crore females, plus 1,152 third-gender and a youthful surge of 5.23 lakh 18-19-year-olds.
The 20-29 bracket holds 1.31 crore potential game-changers, 3.79 lakh over-85s add wisdom, and 4.16 lakh PwD voters ensure inclusivity. This poll hints at BJP’s strategic gains challenging TMC’s dominance, promising a riveting showdown in the coming weeks.