Kolkata: The ruling Trinamool Congress continued its electoral juggernaut in West Bengal, bagging 102 of the 108 municipalities in the state, the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Wednesday.
However, the icing on the cake was TMC's victory in Kanthi Municipality, the bastion of Leader of Opposition and former TMC minister Suvendu Adhikari.
"The TMC has won 102 municipalities. The Left Front has won one civic body, and Hamro Party has won one. Four municipalities have hung board," PTI quoted a State Election Commission (SEC) official as saying.
Hamro Party, a new entrant in hill politics, won the Darjeeling Municipality. The CPI (M)-led Left Front won Taherpur Municipality in Nadia district, PTI reported.
The BJP, which has emerged as the main opposition party in West Bengal, failed to win even a single civic body. The saffron party won 77 seats in the assembly polls last year.
The Congress, too, was unable to win a single civic body. BJP and Congress, however, have won a few wards in some towns.
In 27 municipalities, TMC has secured all the wards, reducing the opposition's tally to zero.
No party secured a clear majority in four municipalities -- Beldanga in Murshidabad, Jhalda in Purulia, Champdani in Hooghly and Egra in Purba Medinipur district.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday thanked the people of West Bengal for giving a massive mandate to the ruling Trinamool Congress in the civic elections and called upon winning candidates and supporters to work with humility.
"Heart-felt gratitude to Ma-Mati-Manush for according yet another overwhelming mandate to us. Congratulations to the winning candidates of All India Trinamool Congress in the Municipal Elections," Mamata Banerjee tweeted.
"Let victory enhance our responsibility and dedication. Let triumph impart humility. Let us together work for peace, prosperity and development of the state. Jai Bangla!" Banerjee said.
The biggest win for TMC wa sno doubt the Kanthi Municipality, considered the backyard of Suvendu Adhikari and his family for the last four decades.
Suvendu's father Sisir Adhikari was the municipality's chairman for 25 years from 1971- 2009, except for five years from 1981-86. After becoming an MP, he handed the baton to his younger son Dibyendu Adhikari.
The West Bengal civic polls witnessed widespread violence, rigging and clashes with the police were reported from various parts of the state.
Taking on the TMC, the BJP dubbed the poll process as a “mockery of democracy” and called for a 12-hour shutdown on Monday to protest the violence.
Refuting all allegations, the TMC said that opposition parties are trying to find excuses sensing defeat in the civic polls.
The Congress, Left Front and the BJP are yet to win a civic body. The three parties have, however, won a few wards in some towns.