Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has celebrated what he described as a “record” electoral victory in West Bengal, India, as early results and official trends showed his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a commanding lead in the opposition-held state.
Vote counting was still ongoing under tight security on Monday across the state, which has a population exceeding 100 million. The elections were part of a broader cycle held in five states and territories throughout April and May.
According to data released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP was leading in 156 of the 293 विधानसभा seats and had already secured 48 wins, marking a historic performance in a state where the party had never previously formed government.
Reacting to the outcome, Modi took to social media to praise the electorate and party members. “The 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections will be remembered forever. People’s power has prevailed and BJP’s politics of good governance has triumphed,” he said, attributing the success to years of grassroots efforts by party workers.
The results represent a major political shift in West Bengal, long dominated by the regional leadership of Mamata Banerjee, whose party has governed the state since 2011. The BJP had mounted an aggressive campaign to unseat her administration.
Celebrations erupted in the state capital, Kolkata, India, where party supporters and senior leaders gathered in large numbers, marking the apparent victory with music and street rallies.
However, the election process was not without tension. Scuffles were reported outside several counting centres, prompting police to intervene and disperse crowds. West Bengal has a history of election-related violence, and security was heightened throughout the counting process.
The campaign was also marked by controversy, including protests over the removal of millions of names from voter rolls. While authorities said the move was aimed at eliminating ineligible voters, critics argued it disproportionately affected marginalized and minority communities.
The outcome is expected to strengthen Modi’s political standing nationally as he navigates economic challenges, including rising unemployment, and ongoing foreign policy issues such as trade negotiations with the United States, ahead of the 2029 general elections.
