The counting of votes for the assembly elections in West Bengal is picking up momentum.

The state’s governing Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing a challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The West Bengal Legislative Assembly, or the Vidhan Sabha, has a total of 294 seats.

The TMC was fighting some degree of anti-incumbency after being in power for 10 years and was attempting to ward off a challenge by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The TMC, BJP and the Left-Congress alliance were locked in an intense battle for months amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exit polls forecast a close contest. While some exit polls have predicted a win for the Trinamool, others have suggested the BJP could emerge victorious in Bengal for the first time.

The Left Front, which once governed Bengal for decades, allied with the Congress. Both have been hoping to turn around their fortunes after shrinking electorally in the state for over a decade. Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for the latest updates as votes are counted across the state.

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