Record-Breaking Win for Modi in Opposition-Run West Bengal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed a “record-breaking” electoral victory after his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a landmark win in the opposition-ruled state of West Bengal.

According to results released by the Election Commission of India, vote counting continued under tight security in the state, which has a population of over 100 million. West Bengal was among five states and union territories that went to the polls in April and May, with results declared on Monday.

The final tally showed the BJP securing 206 out of 294 seats in the state legislative assembly—its first-ever victory in West Bengal and a major political breakthrough in the region. The party also retained power in Assam for a third consecutive term and continued its presence in the coastal union territory of Puducherry as part of a ruling alliance.

The outcome is expected to strengthen Modi’s political position as his government faces growing economic challenges, including high unemployment and ongoing international trade negotiations, ahead of the 2029 general elections.

Reacting to the results, Modi said on social media that the election would be remembered as historic, crediting voters for choosing “good governance” and praising party workers for their long-standing efforts.

Senior BJP leaders and supporters celebrated in large numbers on the streets of Kolkata, the state capital, marking what they described as a historic political shift in the region.

The BJP had run an aggressive campaign against the ruling regional party led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has governed the state since 2011.

The election campaign was also overshadowed by controversy surrounding voter roll revisions, which were officially described as efforts to remove ineligible names but were criticised by opposition parties as discriminatory against minority and marginalised groups.

Banerjee strongly rejected the results, accusing the BJP of influencing the electoral process and alleging irregularities in more than 100 seats. She also criticised the Election Commission, claiming bias in favour of the ruling party.

Despite the defeat, Banerjee vowed to continue her political fight and promised a strong comeback in future elections.