BJP Secures Historic Win in West Bengal Assembly Polls

West Bengal Election 2026 Results: BJP storms to power with 206 seats, ending TMC's 15-year rule as Mamata Banerjee loses Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari.

In a landmark shift for Bengal politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 206 seats and securing a clear majority to form the state government for the first time. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which had ruled since 2011, was reduced to just 81 seats, losing 134 from its 2021 tally. Congress managed only two seats, with the remaining going to smaller parties and independents.

Results for 293 seats were declared by late evening, confirming the BJP's decisive victory. Party workers burst into celebrations across Kolkata, Salt Lake, and other districts, distributing sweets, jhalmuri, and even biryani in some places. Visuals showed supporters chanting slogans and gathering at the BJP headquarters amid tight security.

Suvendu Adhikari's Double Triumph Over Mamata

In one of the most watched contests, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15,114 votes. This marks his second straight victory over her, having earlier defeated her from Nandigram in 2021. Adhikari also won Nandigram comfortably. After the result, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and party workers, calling it a “victory of Bengal and Modi.” He described Banerjee’s defeat as her “political retirement.”

Banerjee, who reached the counting centre in Bhabanipur amid some controversy over mobile phone use, later alleged irregularities and vowed to fight back. Clashes were reported outside counting centres early in the day, including at Sakhawat Memorial School.

Vote Share Surge and Regional Trends

According to Election Commission trends, the BJP’s vote share rose by nearly 6 percentage points to around 45%. The party dominated in several regions, including Jhargram — where PM Modi had stopped for jhalmuri during campaigning — winning all four seats there. Notable wins included victories in areas like Asansol, Baharampur (where BJP defeated senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury), and Panihati.

Some violence and vandalism were reported as results poured in. TMC offices in Barasat, South Kolkata, Howrah, and Asansol were allegedly attacked, with furniture damaged and flags removed in certain incidents. Police said cases were being registered. Isolated clashes between supporters also occurred in Cooch Behar and other pockets, prompting lathi-charges in some places.

Reactions from National Leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the result as historic, saying the “lotus has bloomed from Gangotri to Gangasagar.” He wore a dhoti-kurta in Bengali style while addressing the victory. BJP president and other leaders credited the people’s mandate and strong organisational work.

Opposition voices raised concerns. Congress leader Kapil Sibal and Rahul Gandhi alleged “election theft” and irregularities involving the Election Commission and central forces. TMC leaders echoed claims of irregularities, though the BJP dismissed them as excuses for defeat.

Other States: Mixed Outcomes

While the focus remained on Bengal, other states saw varied results. In Assam, the BJP strengthened its hold with 82 seats out of 126. The Congress-led UDF returned to power in Kerala with 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly. In Puducherry, the All India N.R. Congress emerged as the largest party. Actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) became the single largest party in Tamil Nadu with 107 seats.

What Lies Ahead for Bengal

The BJP’s win ends TMC’s uninterrupted 15-year rule marked by welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar but also dogged by allegations of corruption and anti-incumbency. High voter turnout of over 92% — the highest in the state’s history — reflected intense public engagement. Issues like voter list revisions, illegal immigration, and women’s schemes played key roles in shaping the verdict.

As the dust settles, attention turns to government formation, likely to be led by senior BJP leaders in the state. Suvendu Adhikari is seen as a strong contender for a key role. The new government will face the challenge of maintaining law and order amid reported post-poll tensions and delivering on promises made during a fiercely contested campaign.

For now, Bengal wakes up to a new political reality after a long wait for change.

Section 163 Imposed Outside Kolkata Strong Rooms Amid EVM Tampering Row; Mamata Spends 4 Hours at Bhabanipur Facility

Security tightened at seven locations until May 4 as TMC and BJP trade allegations over strong room access and postal ballot handling

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been clamped outside strong rooms across Kolkata until May 4, with authorities moving to restrict unlawful assembly and movement in sensitive areas following overnight tensions over alleged unauthorised access to EVM storage facilities.

The restrictions cover seven locations including Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, Hastings House Complex, APC Roy Polytechnic College, St. Thomas Boys’ High School, Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School, Ballygunge Government High School, and Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University.

Late Night Visit

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent approximately four hours inside the strong room at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School late Thursday night, emerging around 12:30 am. Officials said she visited the facility after her party raised concerns over suspected irregular activity.

Speaking after the visit, Banerjee warned of strong resistance against any attempt to tamper with EVMs or manipulate the vote count. She alleged that central forces briefly stopped her from accessing the area outside the strong room before she was allowed entry.

Protest at Khudiram Kendra

Trouble first flared around 8 pm at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where TMC candidate Kunal Ghosh and minister Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest. The demonstration came after a video shared by the TMC on X showed what the party claimed were Election Commission officials along with BJP members attempting to open ballot boxes.

Election Commission officials tried to convince the TMC leaders, but they continued their strike until around 9 pm. Seeing the gathering of both TMC and BJP workers swell, a large number of security forces were deployed. By 9:30 pm, BJP workers accused the Bengal Police of lathi charge amid sloganeering and uproar.

EC Clarifies Position

The Election Commission of India has rejected all tampering allegations. In a statement, officials clarified that seven Assembly constituency strong rooms are located within the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, all of which were closed and sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents, and the General Observer after polling concluded. The final strong room was sealed at approximately 5:15 am.

The Commission stated that a separate strong room within the premises has been designated for postal ballots. Segregation of ballots was carried out from 4 pm in the corridor outside the strong rooms, and political parties were formally informed via email.

Political Reactions

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed on social media that the party’s election agent, advocate Suryaneel Das, remained inside the strong room premises during Banerjee’s visit and kept a close watch to ensure no irregular activity took place.

State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said Banerjee is “unable to digest her defeat,” adding that if she believes the BJP and the Election Commission are synonymous, she should approach the Supreme Court. BJP leader Rahul Sinha asserted that Banerjee has “accepted defeat even before counting.”

TMC MP Saugata Roy maintained that “unauthorised people entered the strong room from outside” and alleged that some individuals from Gujarat were shouting slogans outside the school where votes for the Chief Minister’s constituency will be counted.

Security Beefed Up

Kolkata Police Joint Commissioner Rupesh Kumar said additional CAPF and state forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, with extra guard rails placed at key locations. Access to CCTV footage of strong rooms will be restricted to authorised personnel only, with parties required to submit names of agents who can view the feed.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold a virtual meeting on Friday with counting agents and key party stakeholders to review preparedness ahead of the vote count.

The Assembly Election 2026 LIVE developments indicate a strong voter turnout across key states, with West Bengal recording 78 per cent polling and Tamil Nadu touching 70 per cent by 3 pm on Thursday. Voting is underway for 152 seats in the first phase in West Bengal, while Tamil Nadu is polling across all 234 constituencies in a single phase.

Officials described the turnout as “significant”, reflecting strong voter participation despite reports of disruptions from multiple districts.

Violence in Bengal

Polling day in West Bengal witnessed sporadic violence, particularly in South Midnapore district. BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar from the Kumargram constituency was allegedly attacked by a group of people while campaigning near a polling booth.

Visuals circulating online show Sarkar attempting to flee as his security personnel tried to shield him. Despite this, the crowd reportedly caught up and assaulted him. Local authorities have not issued a detailed statement, but sources indicated that security deployment has been intensified in the area.

Attack on candidate

In another incident, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul from the Asansol South seat reported an attack on her vehicle in the Rahmatnagar area of Burnpur. According to her account, unidentified individuals pelted stones at her car as she was leaving a polling station.

The rear windshield of the vehicle was damaged. Paul later approached the Hirapur police station and lodged a formal complaint. Police officials confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is underway.

Clashes reported widely

Several districts in West Bengal reported clashes between workers of the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). These incidents, though localised, added to tensions on polling day.

According to officials, security forces intervened in multiple areas to disperse crowds and maintain order. No large-scale disruption of voting has been reported so far, but authorities are monitoring sensitive booths closely.

EVM glitches surface

Apart from violence, complaints regarding malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) emerged from several polling stations in both states. Voters in parts of West Bengal alleged delays due to faulty machines, leading to temporary interruptions.

Election officials acknowledged the complaints and said replacement machines were deployed promptly to ensure minimal disruption. Similar reports were also noted in Tamil Nadu, though officials maintained that polling continued smoothly overall.

Tamil Nadu polling

Tamil Nadu witnessed relatively peaceful polling compared to West Bengal, with steady voter turnout reported across urban and rural constituencies. Voters queued up since early morning, with participation remaining consistent through the day.

Election authorities credited extensive logistical planning and security arrangements for the orderly conduct of polling. No major incidents of violence were reported as of the latest updates.

What lies ahead

The Assembly Election 2026 LIVE coverage will continue to track polling completion, voter turnout revisions, and any late-day incidents. Counting of votes is expected to take place in the coming days, following the conclusion of all phases.

Political observers note that the high turnout could play a decisive role in shaping outcomes in both states. For now, authorities remain focused on ensuring peaceful completion of voting and addressing complaints swiftly.

Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling on Thursday as voting for all 234 Assembly constituencies progressed in a single phase. According to official data, voter turnout reached 37.56 per cent by 11 am and climbed to 56.81 per cent by 1 pm, indicating steady participation across urban and rural pockets.

Polling began at 7 am under tight security arrangements, with authorities deploying extensive personnel to ensure smooth conduct. The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Live updates suggest a largely peaceful process, with only minor logistical issues reported in isolated areas.

Strong Voter Turnout

Election officials said the turnout trend reflects sustained voter enthusiasm. Several districts recorded higher-than-expected participation in the early hours, particularly in southern and western regions.

Queues were seen outside polling booths from early morning, with elderly voters, women and first-time electors turning up in significant numbers. Officials indicated that the turnout could rise further as evening polling continues.

Celebrities Cast Votes

Prominent personalities from the film industry and politics also exercised their franchise during the day. Actor Arjun Sarja, after casting his vote, urged elected representatives to honour their promises.

“Whoever wins should fulfil the commitments made to the people,” he said, echoing a sentiment widely shared among voters.

Tech Innovation at Booths

In a unique development, a government arts college in Coimbatore deployed a robot to welcome voters at a polling station. The robot greeted visitors and distributed sweets, drawing attention on social media.

According to local reports, the device was developed by a student using voice processing and remote-control technology, showcasing innovation amid the democratic exercise.

Vigil on Fake Voting

Amid concerns over bogus voting, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said strict monitoring mechanisms were in place. He stated that voters must present valid identification and booth slips to cast their vote.

“Officials and polling agents are closely watching every booth. Only genuine voters are being allowed,” he said, dismissing allegations of irregularities. Election authorities have also installed surveillance systems and deployed multiple agents per booth to prevent malpractice.

Unique Voter Stories

The polling day also saw moments reflecting public commitment to democracy. In Kanchipuram, a newly married couple arrived at a polling booth shortly after completing their wedding rituals.

Visuals of the groom and bride in traditional attire casting their votes quickly went viral, symbolising civic responsibility taking precedence even on personal milestones.

Background and Stakes

Tamil Nadu remains a key political battleground with major parties contesting fiercely for control of the state Assembly. The single-phase election aims to determine the leadership for the next five years.

The Election Commission had intensified voter awareness campaigns in recent weeks, encouraging maximum participation. Issues such as governance, welfare schemes, employment and infrastructure have dominated the campaign discourse.

What Lies Ahead

Polling will continue till evening, after which electronic voting machines will be sealed and secured under strict supervision. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the final outcome will be declared.

The Assembly Election 2026 is being conducted simultaneously in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The polling covers 126 seats in Assam, 140 seats in Kerala, and 30 seats in Puducherry, making it a major electoral exercise in India. Voting started early in the morning at 7 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 6 PM.

Midday Voter Turnout Trends

According to official data available until 1 PM, Assam has emerged as the frontrunner in voter participation with 59.63 percent turnout. Puducherry has also shown strong engagement with 56.83 percent polling, while Kerala has recorded 49.70 percent turnout. These figures indicate steady participation across all three regions.

Security and Election Management

Election authorities have implemented strict security measures to ensure peaceful voting. Security personnel have been deployed at sensitive polling stations, and monitoring teams are actively supervising the electoral process. The aim is to maintain transparency and prevent any disruptions during voting hours.

Key Constituencies Under Focus

Several constituencies are drawing heightened attention due to their political significance. In Assam, constituencies such as Dispur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Nagaon, and Dhubri are considered crucial. In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Nemom, Palakkad, Thrissur, Manjeshwaram, and Kozhikode North are among the key seats being closely watched by political analysts and parties.

Election Schedule and Counting Date

Polling will continue throughout the day, and voters are expected to turn out in larger numbers during the later hours. The counting of votes for all three regions is scheduled for May 4, when the final results will determine the political direction of Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.