Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is witnessing a strong surge in support in West Bengal following the first phase of Assembly elections.
"I can confidently say that the tsunami that has come, if it goes above 200 (BJP seats in West Bengal), it will not be a matter of surprise. I have attended every election in West Bengal in 2016 and 2019, but this time, the public's attitude towards the BJP is something that we have never seen before. People have now started openly supporting the BJP. Those who were initially going to vote had a slight uncertainty in their mind. After the first phase of elections, there has been a change in the atmosphere here. People now strongly believe that BJP is going to win in West Bengal,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking to reporters in Kolkata. He added that the scale of support is higher than in previous elections and suggested that the party could significantly improve its performance in the 2026 Assembly polls.
Sarma indicated that the voter turnout in the first phase reflects a shift in public mood. According to him the high participation of voter points to growing support for the BJP and dissatisfaction with the ruling government. "This election was crucial for both West Bengal and Assam. For us, the biggest concern is the demographic changes. The India Bangladesh border is in five states: West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. Even if the borders in any of these five states remains open, then it will have an impact on other states. It will also affect Bihar, Jharkhand and the entire northeast," Sarma said.
"The demographic changes are rapidly taking place in Assam, where there are 60 per cent Hindus and 40 per cent Muslims now. Hindus will lose majority in West Bengal and Assam within next two decades. Assam will fall first and then it will be West Bengal. This will later spread to Bihar and Jharkhand. That's why West Bengal elections were crucial for the east and northeast of India," he added.
These remarks come amid an ongoing two-phase election process in West Bengal, where voting is being conducted in several stages. The outcome of the election will determine whether the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) retains power or faces a strong challenge from the BJP.
Responding to such claims Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has mentioned that high voter turnout does not indicate support of the BJP. She has argued that the people are voting to defeat the BJP and expressed confidence that her party will retain power in the state.
The West Bengal Assembly Elections are being closely watched a key political contest, with both the BJP and the TMC making strong claims about public support. The remaining phase of voting is scheduled on April 29, with results expected to be announced on May 4.
