The wait is finally over for West Bengal as the counting of votes for the 2026 Assembly Elections commenced at 8:00 AM IST today, Monday, May 4, 2026. All eyes are on the high-stakes battle in the Moyna constituency, where former Indian cricketer and incumbent MLA Ashok Dinda is fighting to retain his seat on a BJP ticket. This election is being viewed as a critical test for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s foothold in the Purba Medinipur district against a resurgent Trinamool Congress (AITC). With early trends trickling in, the political map of Bengal is set for a significant shuffle by the end of the day.
Moyna Constituency Quick Facts: West Bengal Election 2026
| Constituency | Moyna (206), Purba Medinipur |
| Key Candidate | Ashok Dinda (BJP) |
| Main Challenger | Chandan Mondal (AITC) |
| 2021 Result | Ashok Dinda won by 1,260 votes |
| Counting Date | Monday, May 4, 2026 |
| Current Status | Counting in Progress (Early Trends) |
Ashok Dinda vs Chandan Mondal: The Battle For Moyna
In the Moyna seat, Ashok Dinda faces a tough challenge from AITC’s Chandan Mondal. In the 2021 elections, Dinda secured a narrow victory with a margin of just over 1,200 votes, making this one of the most closely watched “swing” seats in the state. As of the first few rounds of counting today, early trends suggest a neck-and-neck fight. Dinda, who has been active on the ground as a “Vision Coach” for Bengal cricket alongside his political duties, is banking on his local connect and the BJP’s organisational strength in the Medinipur belt to see him through.
West Bengal Election 2026: Overall State Trends
Beyond the individual battle in Moyna, the overall state trends indicate a massive face-off between the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the BJP led by Suvendu Adhikari. Early leads show a competitive landscape across the 294 seats, with counting progressing under strict ECI supervision. While the Trinamool Congress aims for a fourth consecutive term, the BJP is looking to capitalise on anti-incumbency factors in several rural pockets. Final results for the Moyna seat and the clear majority for the West Bengal Assembly are expected to emerge by late afternoon or evening today.
Latest Update: Ashok Dinda Leading by 11 Votes.
