Zee Media Bureau/Deepak Nagpal
Kolkata: Results of General Elections 2014 exit polls are out and it appears that Mamata Banerjee will once again stamp her authority in her home state.
Exit polls have predicted that the Trinamool Congress will win an average of 27 seats in West Bengal, out of the total 42 in the state.
While that still leaves the TMC as number one force in West Bengal, the tally would not make Mamata happy – it leaves the party short of emerging as the third largest force nationally, after the BJP and the Congress.
All along Mamata had been hoping to emerge as kingmaker by winning around 35 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2009, the party had won 19 seats.
While the party`s internal assessment puts the likely tally at 30, exit polls have projected the TMC to win between 20 and 31 seats.
By emerging as the third largest party nationally, Mamata was hoping to play a key role in deciding who forms the next government at the Centre.
On her mind was also a scenario wherein she may have a go at the top job in the South Block if the situation permits. The TMC supremo has not denied harbouring the desire to become the PM, only saying "people will decide".
Prior to polls, Mamata had not sealed any alliance. She had been speaking against the Congress, the BJP (and Narendra Modi), and the Third Front, which is a combination of 11 parties including the Left, Samajwadi Party, JD(U) and JD(S).
So, it would be hard to guess, at this stage, which way would Mamata go if the need arises for any coalition to seek her party`s support.
The Left Front, meanwhile, is expected to bag between 7 and 11 seats, less than the 15 it won in 2009, as per exit polls results.
The Congress could win anywhere between 2 to 4 seats and the BJP between 1 and 3.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.