politics
BJP Wins Control of West Bengal in State Election
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party secured a majority in West Bengal's assembly, ousting the opposition All India Trinamool Congress after years of dominance. The victory strengthens Modi's position midway through his third term. Elections in other states saw shifts, including a film star's party winning in Tamil Nadu.
May 4, 4:51 PM·2m read4 sources
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party won control of West Bengal in a state assembly election, marking a significant shift in the politically influential state. The Election Commission of India released partial results showing the BJP secured at least 124 seats in the 294-member assembly and led in 83 others.
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This outcome dislodged the All India Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which had governed West Bengal since 2011. Opposition parties criticized the Election Commission for removing millions of voters from electoral rolls ahead of the polls.
Modi addressed supporters at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, highlighting the party's expanded appeal in a state where it had previously struggled. " — Narendra Modi, May 4, 2026 (AP) Photos from the day captured BJP workers celebrating with slogans in Kolkata and Guwahati, while a supporter in Kolkata dismantled a billboard of Mamata Banerjee.
The results come midway through Modi's third term, following the 2024 national election where the BJP relied on regional allies to form the government.
Elections were also held in three other states.
Tamil Nadu has a history of electing movie stars to top offices. In Kerala, the Indian National Congress-led opposition defeated the ruling communist government, ending leftist control in one of its remaining strongholds. The BJP retained power in the northeastern state of Assam for a third consecutive term.
The West Bengal win is expected to boost Modi's standing as he eyes a potential fourth term in 2029. Mamata Banerjee had positioned herself as a key figure in uniting regional parties against the BJP. Her party's defeat may weaken her influence within the opposition alliance, which faces challenges in mounting a unified challenge to the BJP's nationwide dominance.
