New Delhi: The BJP is all set to mark a historic breakthrough in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year uninterrupted rule in the state, signalling the need for poriborton or change and ending Mamata Banerjee’s unchallenged rule since 2011. The party is leading in over 200 seats compared to TMC’s 80.
The BJP first made inroads in Bengal in 2011 with just three seats before a surprise turn in the Lok Sabha elections where they won 18 of 42 seats, securing 37.39 per cent votes.
But as the elections continue to surprise, the state witnesses a surge of reactions from local editors and analysts as the vote counting continues. The discussions focus on changing trends, voter behaviours and what the result could mean for the future of West Bengal.
Editorial sayings
Editors and analysts from regional newspapers offered deeper insights as the leads kept changing. Anandabazar Patrika’s political team highlighted the BJP’s gains in Hooghly and South 24 Parganas, linking them to party defectors and updates in voter lists that may have favoured non-Muslim voters.
The leading Bengali newspaper reported live updates and extensive coverage of Jangalmahal and rural voting patterns.
Commentary around the exit polls repeatedly invoked how pollsters badly underestimated the TMC’s 2021 landslide—when it won around 213–215 seats—and warned that Bengal is difficult to predict because so many voters refuse to disclose their choices. Bengali newspapers also carried columns and reports questioning how much weight exit polls deserved in light of this record.
Bartaman Patrika was more direct in its framing, suggesting reality favoured the BJP. One of its headlines read: “In Assam, the BJP is eyeing a hat-trick victory, while the Congress camp is also confident of a comeback.”
Its Hindi edition quoted BJP leader Dilip Ghosh predicting a clean sweep, while TMC’s Firhad Hakim insisted that rural areas would ensure victory for his party.
Editors from the Deccan Chronicle noted that the results could have a national impact, especially if the BJP wins, as they could weaken Mamata Banerjee’s position within the INDIA bloc.
Whereas, The Times of India compared the latest elections to the situation in 2021, noting that the BJP may cross its earlier record of 77 seats but still face strong competition from the TMC in Muslim-Yadav-dominated regions.
Social media platforms like X and Facebook, too, are filled with real-time analysis from journalists and experts.
Journalist Siddhant Sathe highlighted a shift away from the TMC in Greater Kolkata, suggesting that Left and Congress voters may have shifted toward the BJP.
HW News’ Sujit Nair said that a BJP majority could significantly change opposition politics by reducing Mamata Banerjee’s national influence.
Counting started at 8 AM across all 294 constituencies. By mid-morning, the BJP was leading in 117 seats, while the TMC was ahead in 70. This created excitement among BJP workers who raised slogans of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ outside CM Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata.
The official X handle of the BJP even shared a tweet stating “Blessings of Mother Kali and the people of Bengal,” accompanied by an image of Ma Kali, as they celebrated their early victory.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)