New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged to a commanding lead in West Bengal’s Assembly elections on Monday, poised for a historic victory that would end the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) 15-year rule and mark the saffron party’s first government in the eastern state.
The party posted strong leads in three states out of five assembly elections, on Monday as vote counting progressed, signalling major gains in West Bengal, a likely third term in Assam, and continued power in Puducherry.
As vote counting progressed across 77 centres, the BJP-led alliance had established leads or wins in approximately 190-198 seats in the 294-member assembly by late afternoon, comfortably crossing the majority threshold of 148. The TMC was trailing with leads in around 88-96 seats, according to trends from the Election Commission of India and television networks. A handful of seats went to smaller parties and Independents.
The development represents a major political breakthrough for the BJP in a state long considered a tough terrain due to its distinct linguistic and cultural identity. Early trends indicated strong saffron performance across North Bengal, the Jangalmahal tribal regions, and significant inroads into South Bengal and parts of Greater Kolkata.
BJP state leader Suvendu Adhikari maintained a comfortable lead in key contests, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced a tough fight in her Bhabanipur constituency, where trends showed her trailing in initial rounds.
In Assam, the BJP-led NDA consolidated a comfortable position in the 126-seat assembly (majority 64), building on its previous tenure under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Early and mid-day trends indicated the alliance maintaining a clear edge over the Congress-led grouping, pointing toward continuity for the ruling dispensation in the Northeast state.
Puducherry’s 30-seat assembly also saw the NDA alliance, including the AINRC, maintaining a strong lead, reinforcing its position in the Union Territory.
The developments mark a significant day for the BJP in eastern and northeastern India. In West Bengal, the party’s sustained organisational push since 2019, combined with welfare outreach and promises of industrial revival, appears to have paid dividends against the incumbent TMC. Senior BJP leaders described the trends as a strong public verdict for change.
Challenges remain for any new formation in Bengal, including restoring stability, attracting investment, and addressing deep societal divides after a polarised campaign. The Election Commission reported counting proceeding smoothly under heavy security across 77 centres in West Bengal, with one constituency (Falta) slated for later repolling.
Full results in larger states like West Bengal are expected by late evening or early Tuesday, while smaller states like Assam and Puducherry could see clearer outcomes sooner.
This counting day also features contrasting trends elsewhere: actor Vijay’s TVK making notable gains in Tamil Nadu and the UDF leading in Kerala. The outcomes, once finalised, are likely to reshape regional power equations and influence national political calculations ahead of future contests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit BJP headquarters on Monday evening and address the party over its historic win.
