The political map of eastern India has been dramatically redrawn as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to power in West Bengal, ending 15 years of dominance by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
In a result few anticipated at this scale, the BJP crossed the halfway mark with ease, winning or leading in 204 of the 293 seats, far beyond the majority threshold of 148. The ruling TMC was reduced to just 83 seats, marking a stunning fall for a party that had once looked electorally invincible.
For Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the verdict is both personal and political. Around her, however, the party’s leadership crumbled. Senior ministers including Bratya Basu, Shashi Panja, and Chandrima Bhattacharya either lost or trailed significantly.
From Kolkata to the hills of North Bengal, the BJP’s surge was emphatic. The party secured key constituencies such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Matigara-Naxalbari, signalling a broad-based shift in voter sentiment.
An emotional Banerjee alleged “irregularities” in the conduct of polls by the Election Commission of India and central forces, but later urged calm as the scale of defeat became undeniable.
The numbers underline the collapse. From 213 seats and a 48% vote share in 2021, the TMC saw its support shrink sharply as the BJP consolidated votes and expanded its reach into SC/ST belts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the outcome as a triumph of “people’s power,” declaring that “the Lotus blooms in West Bengal.”
The aftermath, however, has been tense, with reports of vandalism at party offices and clashes between rival supporters.
BJP’s hat-trick in Assam
In neighbouring Assam, the BJP is on course for another term. Led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the party crossed the majority mark, leading in 99 of 126 seats, with the Congress trailing far behind.
The BJP-led NDA also secured over 50 per cent of the vote, improving on its 2021 performance and reinforcing its dominance in the northeast.
Tamil Nadu: Vijay’s party shakes up contest
In the south, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a political shake-up of its own. Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has surged ahead in early trends, leading in over 100 seats.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance lagged behind, with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) close on its heels, pointing to a three-cornered contest reshaping the state’s political landscape.
Kerala: Congress-led UDF stages comeback
Kerala appears set for a reversal of fortunes. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is heading for a commanding victory, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) faces one of its worst performances.
Early trends show the UDF crossing the 100-seat mark, while the LDF struggles around the mid-30s, signalling a strong anti-incumbency wave against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s government.
Puducherry: NDA edges ahead
In Puducherry, Chief Minister N Rangasamy retained his Thattanchavady seat, as the AINRC-led NDA moved ahead in early counting trends, indicating a tight but favourable contest for the ruling alliance.
Taken together, the results mark a decisive and diverse electoral moment across India. While the BJP celebrates a historic breakthrough in Bengal and consolidation in Assam, the south tells a more fragmented story, with new players emerging and traditional strongholds shifting in unexpected ways.
