US President Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a sweeping win in the West Bengal Assembly elections, ending decades of resistance in the state.
“The President congratulates Prime Minister Modi on this recent, historic, and decisive election victory,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said on Tuesday.
The BJP crossed the majority mark comfortably in the 294-member Assembly by winning 206 seats, according to the Election Commission of India. Since polling in the Falta constituency was countermanded, the effective majority mark stood at 147.
BJP breaks through in Bengal
The results marked a major political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP managed to overpower the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. The TMC finished with 80 seats.
The Indian National Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party won two seats each, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Secular Front secured one seat apiece.
Also Read | BJP appoints Amit Shah as Bengal observer for CM pick as party prepares to form government
The BJP’s campaign strategy focused heavily on local outreach and booth-level mobilisation across districts. The party also moved away from the “outsider” perception that the TMC had repeatedly targeted in earlier elections. Instead, BJP leaders concentrated on regional messaging and cultural symbolism, using slogans such as “Joy Ma Kali” and “Joy Ma Durga” during the campaign.
The issue of illegal immigration also featured prominently in the BJP’s outreach efforts. At the same time, the party largely avoided personal attacks against Mamata Banerjee during the election campaign.
Addressing party workers in Delhi after the results, PM Modi highlighted the significance of the victory in the home state of Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, calling it a landmark moment for the BJP.
Also Read | Who will be Bengal’s new CM? Here’s a list of possible names
Focus shifts to Chief Minister choice
With the election results declared, attention has now turned to the BJP’s chief ministerial pick for West Bengal.
Although Mamata Banerjee described the defeat as a “conspiracy” and said she would not resign, constitutional provisions require a government to retain majority support in the Assembly.
Among the frontrunners for the top post is Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, who defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur. BJP leaders, however, have also indicated that state unit chief Samik Bhattacharya and vice-president Agnimitra Paul remain under consideration for the role.
