Kolkata: Panihati in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the ongoing election, with the BJP candidate, who is the mother of the RG Kar rape-and-murder victim, leading in the early rounds of counting. The contest has drawn statewide attention, pitting the BJP against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Tirthankar Ghosh, with the fallout of the RG Kar case significantly shaping voter sentiment and campaign narratives.
Election Results 2026
Election results for Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are being closely monitored as voters await the verdict. In West Bengal, a tight race is expected as the TMC faces a strong challenge from the BJP. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, the question is whether Chief Minister M.K. Stalin can retain power or if the AIADMK will stage a comeback.
The Panihati Contest
Each round of counting in Panihati is being keenly tracked for any shift in momentum. Panihati has traditionally been a Trinamool stronghold, with Nirmal Ghosh winning the seat in 2011, 2016, and 2021. This year, a multi-cornered fight is underway, with candidates including Afsana Khatoon (Aam Janata Unnayan Party), Biswanath Dey (Independent), Chandra Shekhar Chowdhuri (SUCI-C), Kalatan Dasgupta (CPI-M), Subhashish Bhattacharya (Congress), and Swaminath Kori (BSP). However, the primary battle remains between the BJP and TMC.
The RG Kar victim mother's electoral debut was marked by a tense polling day, with allegations and confrontations reported across booths. She cast her vote with her husband early in the morning, stating that she was fighting for justice for her daughter and for the safety of women in Bengal. She also recalled the emotional void left by her daughter's absence.
With early trends indicating her lead, the Panihati result could signal whether the emotive RG Kar case has translated into electoral gains or if the TMC can retain its traditional bastion.
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