Workers of the Trinamool Congress celebrate after the party looks set to sweep the civic polls in Bengal. (PTI Photo)
Mamata Banerjee's ruling Trinamool Congress is on its way to sweep civic polls in West Bengal, seen as a semi-final before assembly elections less than a year away. The party is now leading in 114 of the 144-member Kolkata Municipal Corporation Board and in 71 of the 91 municipalities in the rest of West Bengal.
The Left Front is trailing way behind as an inconsequential number 2. The Congress, and, to the Trinamool's utmost delight the BJP, are not in the race.
"The manner in which the people celebrated the festival of democracy, it is worth admiring. My pronam and salam to them," said Ms Banerjee as her party celebrates with song and dance and drumbeats and by colouring the air with the Trinamool green.
"80% municipalities across State won by @AITCofficial & 80% seats in Kolkata.Overwhelming endorsement for Didi & development," tweeted Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien.
The victory comes as another shot in the arm for Mamata Banerjee who has been under attack from political rivals, particularly over the Saradha chit fund scam, in which several prominent leaders of her party have been questioned.
The BJP has been at the forefront of that attack, with party chief Amit Shah hoping to establish it a major force in the state in the assembly elections. The BJP has so far been a minor player in Bengal, but has been building its cadres.
The civic elections were also an important test for the Left to see if they have regained lost ground.
In 2011, Ms Banerjee won a big majority in the assembly ousting the Left after 33 years of rule.