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.

BJP Workers Celebrate West Bengal Election Gains Across MP

Party cadres distribute traditional sweets as results show strong performance in eastern state

As counting progresses in five state assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party is celebrating what preliminary trends show as significant gains in West Bengal. Across Madhya Pradesh, party workers have begun festivities marking the developments, with celebrations reported from major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Ujjain.

The mood inside BJP offices has turned jubilant. Party workers distributed jhalmudi — a traditional Indian snack — to colleagues and supporters. In several locations, drums were beaten and firecrackers burst as news of the leading trends reached party cadres.

Ministers Share Emotional Reactions

Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya appeared visibly moved while speaking to media in Indore. Reflecting on the party's efforts in West Bengal, where he has faced legal cases and serious allegations, Vijayvargiya said the party workers had persevered despite pressure.

"The tears are not of weakness, but of joy at victory over injustice," he told reporters. He described the West Bengal results as marking the end of what he called oppressive rule in the state.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav compared the atmosphere to major festivals like Diwali and Holi. Speaking in Gwalior, he said the results represented the triumph of nationalism and the defeat of arrogance. He referenced West Bengal voters choosing development and the BJP's vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Election Overview Across Five States

Counting is underway for 824 assembly seats spread across five states: West Bengal (294 seats), Tamil Nadu (234 seats), Kerala (140 seats), Assam (126 seats), and Puducherry (30 seats).

Early trends show notable shifts. In Tamil Nadu, actor Vijay's newly formed TVK party has emerged as a surprise contender, currently leading in over 100 seats. In Kerala, the opposition UDF alliance, led by Congress along with Muslim League and Kerala Congress allies, appears set to return to power after about a decade, with Congress candidates showing leads across numerous constituencies.

Ground-Level Celebrations

In Ujjain's Bengali colony, celebrations took a cultural turn as Bengali women marked the West Bengal results by blowing conch shells in traditional fashion. Newly appointed authority chief Ravi Solanki participated in the community gathering.

BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal told media that Congress had become "irrelevant" in Indian politics. He mentioned that jhalmudi holds personal significance for him due to family connections in Kolkata, and said crackers had been arranged for the celebrations.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devra stated that "jungle rule" in West Bengal had ended. Minister Gautam Tetwal said the state was now free from what he termed "Didi's terror," referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Party Strategy and Ground Mobilization

The BJP deployed senior leaders from Madhya Pradesh to campaign in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu ahead of the elections. The party's expansion strategy involved fielding candidates across multiple states in alliance with regional partners, while Congress focused on regaining lost ground through coalition arrangements.

The counting will determine the final composition of these assemblies and shape political alignments in eastern and southern India over the coming years. Results are expected to be finalized by end of day as officials continue the tallying process across all five states.