Donald Trump has congratulated Narendra Modi following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sweeping win in West Bengal, with the White House calling it a historic and decisive mandate. Spokesperson Kush Desai conveyed the message, highlighting the scale of the victory.
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP secured 206 seats in the 294 member Assembly. With polling in one constituency countermanded, the working majority mark stood at 147, which the party comfortably crossed.
The result marks a major political shift in the state. The All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee managed 80 seats, falling far behind the BJP’s tally. Smaller parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, won two seats each, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Secular Front picked up one seat each.
Analysts attribute the outcome to a mix of anti incumbency sentiment and a focused campaign strategy by the BJP. The party worked to counter the outsider narrative pushed by the TMC and leaned heavily on local messaging, including cultural slogans and booth level mobilisation. It also avoided direct personal attacks on Mamata Banerjee during the campaign. The victory is especially symbolic, as West Bengal is the birthplace of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a point highlighted by Prime Minister Modi in his address after the results.
Attention now turns to the formation of the new government. Mamata Banerjee has described the outcome as a conspiracy and indicated she will not step down. However, under Article 164 of the Constitution, a chief minister must retain the confidence of the Assembly, which her government no longer holds.
The BJP is expected to soon announce its chief ministerial choice. Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur, is seen as a leading contender. At the same time, names such as state unit chief Samik Bhattacharya and vice president Agnimitra Paul are also being discussed within the party.
