Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, middle, waves to supporters upon his arrival on the Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) headquarters to have a good time victory within the not too long ago held state meeting elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, Might 4, 2026.
Manish Swarup/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Manish Swarup/AP
NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist occasion on Monday wrested management of the state of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key election.
The Election Fee of India launched partial outcomes displaying the Bharatiya Janata Occasion received at the very least 124 seats within the 294-member West Bengal meeting, and was main in 83 others. Remaining outcomes are anticipated Monday night.
It will be a major breakthrough for Modi’s occasion, which had tried for years to dislodge the All India Trinamool Congress authorities led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has by no means ruled West Bengal, a politically influential state, the place Banerjee — considered one of Modi’s most outstanding critics — has held energy since 2011.
Opposition events have sharply criticized the polls in West Bengal after the Election Fee eliminated tens of millions of voters from electoral rolls.
Three different states additionally took half within the newest election.
The South Asian nation of greater than 1.4 billion folks has 28 states and eight federal territories. Staggered state elections are held at completely different instances throughout India, with a couple of state polls scheduled virtually yearly.
Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, middle, New Guwahati candidate of Bharatiya Janata Occasion reveals victory signal after successful in latest held state election in Guwahati, India, Monday, Might 4, 2026.
Anupam Nath/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Anupam Nath/AP
India’s opposition faces a setback
The end result in West Bengal is anticipated to spice up Modi’s standing and strengthen his place halfway by means of his third time period in workplace. The 2024 nationwide election compelled his ruling occasion to depend on regional allies to type a authorities. He’s anticipated to run for a document fourth time period in 2029.
Addressing supporters on the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi mentioned the outcomes pointed to the occasion’s widening enchantment in a state the place it had traditionally struggled to realize floor.
“A brand new chapter has been added to Bengal’s future,” Modi instructed a cheering crowd.
India’s opposition has struggled to mount a unified and sustained problem to the BJP’s dominance nationwide.
Banerjee had emerged as considered one of Modi’s most outstanding nationwide rivals, significantly after positioning herself as a key chief to unite regional events towards the BJP. Her defeat is more likely to weaken her leverage inside an opposition bloc already divided by regional energy struggles.
Movie star-turned-politician scores breakthrough win
Within the southern state of Tamil Nadu, well-liked film star Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam occasion solely two years in the past, ousted the ruling DMK occasion. Tamil Nadu, considered one of India’s most developed states, has a historical past of electing film stars to the highest workplace.
In Kerala, one other southern state, the Indian Nationwide Congress-led opposition defeated the ruling communist authorities, ending leftist rule in considered one of its final remaining strongholds.
Modi’s occasion additionally returned to energy within the northeastern state of Assam for a 3rd consecutive time period.
