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As on expected lines, the Trinamool Congress has secured a majority in 75 of the 91 municipalities and municipal corporations that went to polls.
In the all-important Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), TMC has an unassailable lead in 115 wards, with the CPI(M)-led Left Front leading in 15 seats. BJP and Congress are leading in 7 and 5 wards, respectively.
According to sources, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee is heading for a second term at KMC. (He has won by a margin of 5,500 votes from Ward 136.)
TMC is also expected to form the board across these 75 urban local bodies.
Elections across these 91 municipalities and municipal corporations were held on April 25 and on April 18 in Kolkata.
Counting began at 8 am today. In some strong holds like Contai (in East Midnapore), TMC is said to have won all 21 seats; virtually nullifying all Opposition.
According to initial poll results, TMC has fared well across the urban local bodies of South Bengal, particularly across the districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, East Midnapore and so on.
A fragmented Opposition - mostly of CPI-M, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - has only aided the TMC's winning streak.
As of now, the CPI-M has managed to win 5 of the municipalities, snatching at least two from TMC.
On the other hand, the Congress has won 5 municipalities - mostly across North Bengal and Murshidabad - and maintained its stronghold in these areas.
Ironically, BJP - that was said to be a rising force in Bengal - is yet to lead or win a single municipality or municipal corporation.
Even in Kolkata, it has failed to emerge as the clear Opposition.
A clear winner is yet to emerge in five municipalities, including the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.
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