BY A STAFF REPORTER: Mamata Banerjee has fended off a spirited BJP challenge and emerged as one of the leading politicians of the country. Although exit polls did not predict a good show for TMC, Mamata defied all odds and romped home leading in 30 seats in the middle of the day as counting progressed.
![Mamata Banerjee](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/anm-english/media/media_files/lcdcwz6nEqGoKObQq0Xg.jpg)
According to political experts, the lakshmi bhandar for women and support from the Muslim community helped her party at the hustings.
![bjp nadda.jpg](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/anm-english/media/media_files/5NVcoGCebazpSCyL9UIB.jpg)
The BJP fared poorly leading in 10 seats from their earlier tally of 18 while TMC gained to lead in 30 seats. As TMC's success spread, there was a clamour for Mamata to put her hat into the ring as Prime Minister should such a situation arise.
![Add 1](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/anm-english/media/post_attachments/613525dea0a75dbb5c4f7cdeca27fe485d273a00f3594755e127906bc04be457.webp)