What does high turnout mean as both TMC, BJP claim advantage?

PM says 'mandate for change', CM calls it people's 'fight to protect their rights', 2,400 companies of Central forces deployed by poll panel

- SUBHENDU MAITI @Kolkata

THE high voter turnout of above 90 percent in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election on Thursday has offered no clear indication of who holds the advantage between the Trinamool Congress and the challenger, BJP, with both sides interpreting the numbers in their favour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi read the turnout as a “mandate for a change”, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared it reflected the people’s “fight to protect their rights”. The polling percentage surpassed the 2021 figure of 83. According to the Election Commission of India, Cooch Behar and Birbhum districts recorded 92 percent turnout till 5 pm, while Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, and West Midnapore reported an average turnout of 91 percent. Sources said the high participation indicated that the electorate exercised the franchise despite allegations of intimidation by the ruling establishment, though its electoral implications remain unclear.