Early trends and partial results from the West Bengal assembly elections point to a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party taking a commanding lead in a region it has never governed.
Votes were still being counted on Monday under heavy security across the state, which has a population exceeding 100 million. West Bengal was among five regions that went to the polls in April and May, with results being released the same day.
According to figures from the Election Commission of India, the BJP was ahead in 156 of the 293 seats and had already secured 48, suggesting a clear majority if the trend holds. The party’s performance marks its strongest showing in the state to date.
Modi described the outcome as a “record” victory, saying the result would be remembered and attributing it to sustained grassroots efforts by party workers. Celebrations broke out in Kolkata, where supporters gathered in large numbers, dancing and waving party flags.
The contest in West Bengal had been closely watched. The BJP mounted an aggressive campaign aimed at unseating Mamata Banerjee’s regional party, which has held power since 2011. The campaign period, however, was not without controversy.
Protests were reported over the removal of millions of names from voter rolls. Authorities said the move was meant to eliminate ineligible voters, but critics argued it disproportionately affected marginalised and minority communities.
Tensions also surfaced during the counting process. Scuffles outside several centres required police intervention, with officers using batons to disperse crowds. The state has a history of election-related violence, adding to concerns around the process.
Elsewhere, results signalled political shifts in other parts of India. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin lost his seat in Kolathur, as his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam trailed behind a new party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay.
Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, formed in 2024, appears to have resonated with voters, particularly younger groups. Political observers noted that the outcome suggested a demand for alternative leadership rather than a routine anti-incumbency trend.
In Kerala, the Congress-led alliance unseated the ruling Communists, winning 63 out of 97 seats. Rahul Gandhi thanked voters for what he called a decisive mandate and credited party workers for a disciplined campaign.
The BJP also retained power in Assam, securing a third consecutive term, and remained part of the ruling coalition in Puducherry.
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As counting continues in West Bengal, the scale of the BJP’s lead has already begun to reshape expectations around the state’s political future.
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