In response to exit polls suggesting a lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that her party is on track to win more than 226 of the 294 assembly seats. In a video message, Banerjee accused the Union government of attempting to intimidate TMC supporters and demoralize party members. She urged TMC workers to remain vigilant and stated, "I will guard the EVMs myself, if need be." Two out of six pollsters predict a TMC victory, while four forecast a narrow win for the BJP. The TMC's performance in the upcoming elections is particularly significant, given the party's previous landslide victory in 2021, where it won 215 of the 292 contested seats, despite earlier exit polls indicating a close race. The political rivalry between the TMC and BJP is intensifying as the 2026 elections approach, with the Congress-Left coalition also seeking to regain influence.