Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has wrested control of the opposition stronghold of West Bengal in a key state election. Partial election results released Monday showed the Bharatiya Janata Party won at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly and led in 83 others.
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Here's what to doDid the founders create a Christian nation? No, but religion did shape their thinkingEstrenos de verano: Nolan, Spider-Man y"Toy Story" iluminan los cinesWorld NewsIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party on Monday wrested control of the state of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key election.
Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, waves to supporters upon his arrival at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to celebrate victory in the recently held state assembly elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, center, New Guwahati candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party shows victory sign after winning in recent held state election in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.
Bharatiya Janata Party workers shout slogans and celebrate the party’s early results and lead in the recently held state election, in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. A worker of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party displays the photographs of party leader and actor-turned-politician, Vijay Chandrasekhar as he celebrates the early leads and results in the recently held state election, in Chennai, southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Monday, May 4, 2026.
A supporter dismantles an election billboard bearing a portrait of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee after the party failed to secure a majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, in Kolkata, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party on Monday wrested control of the state of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key election.
Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, waves to supporters upon his arrival at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to celebrate victory in the recently held state assembly elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. Confetti is sprayed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, waves to supporters upon his arrival at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to celebrate victory in the recently held state assembly elections in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.
Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, center, New Guwahati candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party shows victory sign after winning in recent held state election in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, center, New Guwahati candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party shows victory sign after winning in recent held state election in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.
Bharatiya Janata Party workers shout slogans and celebrate the party’s early results and lead in the recently held state election, in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. Bharatiya Janata Party workers shout slogans and celebrate the party’s early results and lead in the recently held state election, in Guwahati, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.
A worker of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party displays the photographs of party leader and actor-turned-politician, Vijay Chandrasekhar as he celebrates the early leads and results in the recently held state election, in Chennai, southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Monday, May 4, 2026. A worker of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party displays the photographs of party leader and actor-turned-politician, Vijay Chandrasekhar as he celebrates the early leads and results in the recently held state election, in Chennai, southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Monday, May 4, 2026.
A supporter dismantles an election billboard bearing a portrait of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee after the party failed to secure a majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, in Kolkata, India, Monday, May 4, 2026. A supporter dismantles an election billboard bearing a portrait of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee after the party failed to secure a majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, in Kolkata, India, Monday, May 4, 2026.
NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party has wrested control of the opposition stronghold of West Bengal The Election Commission of India released partial results Monday showing the Bharatiya Janata Party won at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly and was leading in 83 others. Modi’s party has never governed West Bengal and had tried for years to dislodge the All India Trinamool Congress government led by state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
She is one of Modi’s most prominent critics and has held power in the politically influential state since 2011. Governments were ousted in two other states and Modi’s party retained power in another that held elections in April. India has more than 1.4 billion people in 28 states and eight federal territories, and elections are staggered with several states and territories voting each year.
The outcome in West Bengal was expected to boost Modi’s standing and strengthen his position midway through his third term in office. The 2024 national election forced his ruling party toAddressing supporters at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said the results pointed to the party’s widening appeal in a state where it had historically struggled. India’s opposition has struggled to mount a unified and sustained challenge to the BJP’s dominance nationwide.
Banerjee had emerged as one of Modi’s most prominent national rivals, particularly after positioning herself as a key leader to unite regional parties against the BJP. Her defeat was likely to weaken her leverage within an opposition bloc already divided by regional power struggles. In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, popular movie star Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party only two years ago, ousted the ruling DMK party.
Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most developed states, has a history of electing movie stars to the top office. In Kerala, another southern state, the Indian National Congress-led opposition defeated the ruling communist government, ending leftist rule in one of its last remaining strongholds. Saaliq covers news across India and the South Asia region for The Associated Press, often focusing on politics, democracy, conflict and religion. He is based in New Delhi.1279
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