Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears poised to secure control of West Bengal, dealing a significant blow to the opposition in a critical state election.

According to partial results released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP is leading in more than 190 seats of the 294-member state assembly, with final results expected later Monday.

This potential victory represents a historic milestone for the BJP, which has never governed the state and has long sought to unseat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Mamata, a vocal critic of Modi, has held power in the politically significant state since 2011, making this shift a major turning point in Indian politics.

The election cycle has not been without controversy, as opposition groups have raised allegations of irregularities, claiming that millions of voters were removed from electoral rolls.

These results in West Bengal are part of a broader staggered election cycle involving three other states across India’s 28 states and eight union territories.

A decisive win in West Bengal would bolster Modi’s political standing midway through his third term, providing much-needed momentum after the 2024 national elections required the BJP to rely on regional allies.

This outcome further paves the way for Modi, who is widely expected to seek a fourth consecutive term in 2029.

Conversely, the results suggest a deepening struggle for India’s opposition to maintain unity and challenge the BJP’s national dominance.

If defeated, Mamata Banerjee—once viewed as a central figure capable of coalescing regional parties—could see her influence significantly diminished within an already fragmented alliance.

While the TMC faces setbacks, other states are seeing shifts in power; in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is emerging as a strong contender against the ruling DMK.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Congress-led opposition is likely to unseat the ruling communist government, potentially ending a rare stronghold of leftist rule.

In the northeast, the BJP is expected to comfortably retain power in Assam, securing its third consecutive term in the state.

Source: AP