Mamata Banerjee set to storm back to power in West Bengal

NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee is all set to storm back to power in West Bengal with an increased majority.

Mamata's Trinamool, which won 184 seats in 2011, is all set to cross the 200-mark in this elections, according to available trends.

The exit polls had predicted that Mamata would retain power, though with a slightly reduced majority, winning between 165 and 170 seats.

However, she is all set to cross the 200-mark in the 294-member assembly, decimating the Left Front and the Congress.

There are celebrations outside Mamata's residence as she gets ready for a second term as chief minister.

Mamata had been on the back foot in the run up to the elections because of the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation.

The collapse of a flyover in Kolkata killing 27 people added to her woes.

The BJP led an aggressive campaign and is expected to make inroads in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the attack against Mamata accusing her of playing politics over the tragedy.

PM Modi called the disaster "God’s message to people to save West Bengal from Trinamool Congress".

The BJP's aggression seems to have paid dividends with the party candidate in Jorasanko, the assembly constituency in which the Vivekananda flyover falls, leading in the early rounds of counting.

The BJP state president is also leading in Kharagpur.

Elections in the state were held in six-phases beginning from April 4 with 1961 candidates including 198 women in the fray.

All the phases of the election saw over 80 per cent turnout.

Mamata Banerjee has been confident about her party's victory right through the campaign, despite a very spirited opposition campaign in the state.

"Today the fourth phase of polls are on. After this phase of polls, we have already attained the majority mark, needed to form the new government. After the results are announced you can check it," the Trinamool chief had said addressing a poll meeting during the elections.

Counting of votes for the 294 seats are under way across 90 venues spread all over the state.

A three-tier security has been put in place at all these centres with Sec 144 being imposed on a 100 metre radius of the venues.

The innermost security layer is being manned by central forces and state police personnel is not allowed to enter the counting hall.