In a result that could significantly reshape the political landscape of eastern India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a sweeping victory in West Bengal on Monday, marking a decisive breakthrough in a state where it had historically struggled to establish dominance. Early trends indicate the party is set to cross the 200-seat mark, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a sharp decline, slipping to a two-digit tally.
Amid the celebrations at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a notable cultural gesture to complement the political moment. He appeared in a traditional Bengali ensemble — a white kurta, locally known as a panjabi, paired with a Tussar silk dhoti featuring a red border — evoking the refined aesthetic often associated with the Bengali bhadralok.
The Prime Minister’s attention to detail stood out. He adopted a distinctly Bengali style by tucking the edge of the dhoti into his kurta pocket, a practice commonly seen among Bengali men. A cotton scarf with traditional buti (dotted) patterns around his neck further enhanced the cultural symbolism, suggesting a deliberate effort to connect with the state’s identity at a moment of political significance.
For the BJP, the scale of the victory represents more than an electoral success; it signals a broader political realignment in a region long shaped by strong regional parties. West Bengal’s political narrative has historically been dominated by state-based forces, making this outcome particularly consequential in the national context.
Addressing party workers, Modi praised the high voter turnout, describing it as the highest recorded in any Indian state since independence. He credited grassroots workers for the achievement, stating, “You have created a new history,” and calling their contributions “remarkable and extraordinary.”
Revisiting a remark made after the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Bihar victory last year, Modi invoked the symbolic journey of the Ganga river. “From Gangotri to Gangasagar, the lotus has bloomed everywhere — in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and now West Bengal,” he said, underlining the BJP’s expanding presence across key regions.
Celebrations at the party headquarters carried a distinct Bengali cultural flavour, with conch shells being blown and slogans raised in Bangla. Modi briefly addressed supporters in the language, saying, “poriborton hoye geche” (change has happened), a phrase that has long held political resonance in the state.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly contested the outcome, alleging serious irregularities in the electoral process. Speaking from the Bhabanipur counting centre, where she remained for several hours, Banerjee described the result as “immoral” and “illegal,” and accused the Election Commission of bias.
She claimed that complaints raised with officials went unanswered and alleged that tensions escalated after 3 pm, with incidents of violence at the counting centre. “From 3 pm onwards, they have been beating us. I was hit. CCTV was switched off. None of our agents was allowed inside,” she said, adding that officials who had initially assured cooperation later became unavailable.
Reiterating her allegations, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the BJP, calling the outcome “loot, loot, loot,” while asserting that her party would “bounce back.”
Counting remains underway in select constituencies, including Bhabanipur, where Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is currently in the lead with a few rounds still to be completed.
As the final results are consolidated, the outcome is likely to have far-reaching implications — not only for West Bengal’s political future but also for the broader national political landscape.
