Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) has taken an early lead in the Kaliganj bypoll, which is closely-watched with less than a year left for the next assembly elections.

As per the trends, TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed is leading with around 28,000 votes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are fighting closely for the second spot.

BJP's Ashish Ghosh and Left-supported Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh are fighting to become the runner up with over 11,000 votes.

Reacting to the trends, TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya wrote on Facebook, "If you look closely, even though the Left and Congress have more or less retained their vote share, a large portion of the BJP's Hindu votes has shifted to the Trinamool Congress!

"The aggressive and distorted Hindutva of Suvendu Adhikari has been proudly rejected by the peace-loving Sanatani Hindus of Bengal. Jai Jagannath!"

Speaking to the media, Leader of Opposition and BJP strongman Suvendu Adhikari said, "As far as I have gathered information, the Muslim votes are being divided between TMC and Congress in the 70:30 ratio. The majority of the Hindu votes are being bagged by the BJP."

"The counting is currently taking place in the Muslim belt. The BJP will gain momentum when the counting in Hindu belts starts," he added.

The byelections to the seat, which was previously won by the TMC, were held on June 19.