Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters upon his arrival at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters to celebrate victory in the recent state assembly elections in New Delhi, India, on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Manish Swaroop/AP
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Manish Swaroop/AP
NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party swept opposition stronghold West Bengal state in a key election on Monday.
The Election Commission of India released partial results showing that the Bharatiya Janata Party won at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, and was leading on 83 others. The final results are expected by Monday evening.
It would be a significant breakthrough for Modi’s party, which had tried for years to oust the all-India Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has never ruled the politically influential state of West Bengal, where Banerjee – one of Modi’s most prominent critics – has held power since 2011.
Opposition parties have sharply criticized the elections in West Bengal after the Election Commission removed lakhs of voters from the electoral rolls.
Three other states also took part in the latest elections.
The South Asian country of more than 1.4 billion people consists of 28 states and eight union territories. State elections are held in phases at different times across India, with some state elections scheduled almost every year.
Bharatiya Janata Party Centre, New Guwahati candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarmah shows victory sign after winning in the recent state elections in Guwahati, India, on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Anupam Nath/AP
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Anupam Nath/AP
India’s opposition got a shock
The West Bengal result is expected to boost Modi’s standing and strengthen his position during his third term. National elections in 2024 force his ruling party to rely on regional allies to form a government. He is expected to run for a record fourth term in 2029.
Addressing supporters at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said the results point to the party’s growing appeal in a state where it has historically struggled to gain ground.
“A new chapter has been added to the destiny of Bengal,” Modi told the cheering crowd.
India’s opposition has struggled to unify and consistently challenge the BJP’s dominance across the country.
Banerjee had emerged as one of Modi’s most prominent national rivals, especially after establishing herself as a key leader to unite regional parties against the BJP. His defeat is likely to weaken his hold within the opposition faction already divided by regional power struggles.
Film star turned politician wins spectacularly
In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, popular film star Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party only two years ago, ousted the ruling DMK party. Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most developed states, has a history of choosing film stars for the top job.
In another southern state, Kerala, the Indian National Congress-led opposition defeated the ruling Communist government, ending leftist rule in one of its last remaining bastions.
Modi’s party also returned to power in the northeastern state of Assam for the third consecutive time.
