R G Kar rape victim's mom Ratna Debath wins big :::: Cut Money to split in Muslim votes resulted in Trinamool debacle

The rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 unleashed a wave of grief.

There was fury - and something like that Kolkata had rarely seen. On May 4, 2026, rhe election results including defeat of Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur suggest those wounds have not healed.

“My daughter comes home late from college. As a mother, I’m genuinely worried — and I shouldn’t have to be. Instead of ensuring women’s safety, Mamata said women shouldn’t stay out on the roads at night. That is shameful,” said Soumi Roy, an advocate at Alipore court.

As results poured in, in effect she bought sweets outside the court compound and as expected -- she was smiling as her face smeared with saffron abir.

After the RG Kar outrage, as women across West Bengal demanded that every hour of the day be made safe for them, the government’s response was to limit women’s night shifts wherever possible. For many voters, that response said everything. 

The grievances were not only urban. Deep in a South 24-Parganas village, a fisherman said the local Trinamool leader routinely harassed his wife in his absence. 

“We are helpless,” he said.

As a gesture of concern for women safety, the BJP ha fielded the ill-fated young medico's mother. BJP's Ratna Debnath has won the Panihati seat with a commanding margin of 28,836 votes. Ms Debnath humbled her closest rival Tirthankar Ghosh of Trinamool Congress. 

The 'women safety' was a major issue in the just concluded election this year. 

Split in Muslim votes spells doom for Trinamool Congress

The split of Muslim votes came to the advantage of the BJP and the party’s candidates were seen either winning or leading in six of the 12 seats in Malda, where the electorate is 50% Muslims. 

It was the shifting away of the Muslim vote from the Left Front to the Trinamool Congress that brought Mamata Banerjee to power in 2011. 

Now, about 15 years later, a split in the minority vote became one of the reasons why the Trinamool Congress was decimated in 2026. 

The Muslim vote bank which remained steady with the Trinamool over the past several elections saw a spilt in the 2026 Assembly polls, with the Left-ISF alliance, the Congress and Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) spoiling the Trinamool party.  

Issues like women safety and Corruption were common to Muslims; and this is something the TMC never appreciated. 

BJP had campaigned well on the issue and its president Samik Bhattacharya's remarks "Marchhey Musalman, Morchche Musalman (Muslims are perpetrators as well as victims of violence) made impact among Muslims.

This is like "Karma fal"... Law of Karma .... BJP has demonstrated a triumph of the will ..... victory consolidates Amit Shah’s position .... Congress is no match for BJP’s ruthlessness

For Trinamool Congress, defeat in West Bengal means more than just being voted out of power after 15-year rule ::: 

The root element of BJP's success lies in the "will power". 

Mamata Banerjee punished for glorifying a slogan borrowed from Bangladesh 

::: She took voters, especially Hindus for granted. She insulted Hindus and also Hindu Gods and Godesses.

This is like "Karma fal" 

BJP has demonstrated a triumph of the will .....  victory consolidates Amit Shah’s position .... Congress is no match for is no match for the BJP’s ruthlessness. ::::  BJP's strategy was sharper, deeper yet far less rhetorical

Triumph of BJP in West Bengal will be a "multi cause" for grand celebration ::: It's win against Islamic Demographic intent, against Radicalisation... It's victory for Development, Hindutva and Nationalism. 

The reactions to the mandate might have surprised some. These self-seeking intellectuals today stand exposed. They are short of accusing the majority of the electorate of having turned fascists. This is unwarranted and unjustified. Twent years back, the same crowd said the same thing about Gujaratis. 

It is not communalism that has spread. Such a diagnosis will be erroneous. 

It is the Hindu resurgence and there are reasons for it. 

Videos and images showing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participating in Islamic prayers or offering Namaz have circulated periodically, often fueling debate regarding religious appeasement. 

With West Bengal and Assam win; the BJP looks more invincible.

every successive defeat means more pressure mounting on the opposition ...

Defeat of TMC and DMK ...major blow

Result in key state is set to have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and push Hindutva politics further

The victory in West Bengal, which had been a longstanding ambition for the BJP, furthers the Hindu nationalist party’s unfettered control over state and central governments in India, as it expands its influence over the eastern part of the country.

ends 

Mamata lost in Bhabanipur ..... West Bengal gets "mukti" from Jehadi aunt .... What a lesson ... !! BEAUTY of DEMOCRACY :::: It is not communalism that has spread. It is the Hindu resurgence

Mamata punished for glorifying a slogan borrowed from Bangladesh :::  

Like it or not, West Bengal mandate was about genuine Nationalism  

Mamata in 2011 had described her landslide victory as a magic. 

"It's magic. It's a festival of democracy," she had said after decimating the CPI-M; and how things have come to this stage ... haunting her this year. 

Suvendu Adhikari has won the Bhabanipur seat against Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari has won by a margin of 15,000 votes. Initially, Banerjee was leading, but in the last few rounds Adhikari began leading.

"Now we can really say ... Sonar Bangla", remarked a Mumbai-based college goer on social media. 

Mamata Banerjee lost in Bhabanipur ..... 

West Bengal gets "mukti" from 'Jehadi aunt' .... 

What a lesson ... !! BEAUTY of DEMOCRACY 

In 2011, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had lost his assembly seat too. Time is a big circle and it has come back to haunt the 'aunt' who started glorifying Awami League's slogan 'Jai Bangla'.  Essentially she thoight - voters could be taken for granted especially if they were Hindus. She had lost 2021 assembly poll in Nandigram but came back as the chief minister because the law allowed so. 

However, no corrective measures were taken even between 2021 and 2026. Governance was never her focus and Muslim appeasement was her top most priority. She kept on hurling insults to Hindus and even Hindu God. Her party leaders did the same thing. They all banked on the magical 30 per cent. 

But on the D-Day; it was discovered that the Muslim votes have split. A sustantial number might have deserted her. The issue of corruption could never be compensated by Rs 1500 freebies. How much humiliating it was !!

BJP's and Team Modi's victory in West Bengal and that way also the hat-trick in neighbouring Assam has traumatised parties such as the Trinamool Congress and also the Congress andthe AIUDF in Assam especially; it has also unnerved a large section of those who are at best pretenders of intellectuals, analysts and journalists.  

The mandate actually is a lesson. 

The reactions to the mandate might have surprised some. These self-seeking intellectuals today stand exposed. They are short of accusing the majority of the electorate of having turned fascists. This is unwarranted and unjustified. Twent years back, the same crowd said the same thing about Gujaratis. 

It is not communalism that has spread. Such a diagnosis will be erroneous. 

It is the Hindu resurgence and there are reasons for it. 

Videos and images showing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participating in Islamic prayers or offering Namaz have circulated periodically, often fueling debate regarding religious appeasement. 

However, Sickular media and Fish-fry Journalism gave twister interpretation. This Hindu resurgence is a repeat of people's anguish from Gujarat days. 

One example was demonstrated on the day of polling in Kolkata when an innocuous frail looking housewife standing in queue to cast vote said - "I am here to vote for the BJP because the state under Mamata -a woman chief minister - gave people the right to say Allah o Akbar; but me and my children could not say Jai Shri Ram".  

The election came and gone. She underestimated the power and legitimacy of SIR. 

She overestimated her legal team and the legal luminaries of Delhi including the likes of Kapil Sibal. But in the last six months, she must have lost more than a dozen litgation in the court.  

Mamata had boasted she will not allow SIR. It was a totally misplaced stance. Her opposition made cadres misdirected, perhaps the party organisation suffered. The wrong priorities overwhelmed her party's eco system and practically gheroed their mindset.  

The BJP leaders say  the Bengal results reflected a decade-long "freedom struggle" and a "victory for the people".  

"West Bengal was once the pride of India. The communists ruined it ... Mamata Banerjee almost made it an extended counter for neighbouring Bangladesh," said one Durgapur resident Jhantu Purkayastha. 

ends 

Mandate proves the strength of Ek Bharat, Shrest Bharat : PM Modi addressing BJP workers in Delhi

 Mandate proves the strength of Ek Bharat, Shrest Bharat : PM Narendra Modi  

"Today is a historic day. It is unprecedented. When years of efforts turn into success, the happiness that is seen on the faces of people is the same happiness that I see on the faces of BJP workers across the country today." 

 

"You have created a new history" - Namo to Karyakartas

"The five states have proved today why India is Mother of Democracy"  

Modi recalled his 2014 statement when he had said in Varanasi - "that Maa Ganga has called me at her service (Ganga Maa ne bulaya hae)". "Today, I am feeling the power of that statement every moment". he said in reference to party's success in West Bengal as the sacred river flows in that state before joining the sea.  

"With West Bengal win, 'lotus' is blooming from Gangotri to Gangasagar"  

Modi thanks EC, all those associated in conduct of elections; says their role in upholding dignity of democracy will be remembered

Rahul Gandhi obliges Modi in a way ..... Its 'Communist Mukt Bharat' now !! :::: Over the years, BJP's political meetings and roadshows are getting more people

In some ways Rahul Gandhi's Congress has helped BJP achieve a new milestone. 

Communist-mukt Bharat. It's like saying --- "our turn has not come yet .... let's see how it looks like to be Communist-free".  

For practical purpose, the Congress since 2014-15 is more of a communist party or so-called Urban Naxal.

After more than three decades in power, the Left lost West Bengal in 2011 to Mamata Banerjee. In 2018 and 2023, it lost Tripura to the BJP. And now LDF is lost to Congress-led UDF.

 

But what does 'Weak communists' rally mean?

It opens the door to Hindu nationalism in India. The pro-Hindutva BJP has been always gaining ground in former Leftist strongholds


The downward slippery journey of Indian communists, electorally and in exerting influence on the sociopolitical mindset, has been phenomenal in the last decade. In the regions where they are losing their grip, the pro-Hindutva BJP is gaining. 


The religious minorities who should be happy about 'atheism' losing ground are now more worried about an even worse form of political ideology gaining power.


But in Kerala, it still was Congress that was fighting the Marxists and others.

The BJP, which is allegedly pushing to make India a nation of Hindu hegemony, came to power in Tripura by ousting its communist government in 2018. 


The BJP was slowly gaining political support in West Bengal and Kerala, two other communist strongholds. But by 2011 as Mamata came to power in Bengal; the political game was different. The BJP emerged the principal opposition in 2021 and the Left parties scored a zero.


Kerala would have got rid off the Marxists in 2021 itself. But the LDF survived than.

Over the years, BJP's political meetings and roadshows are getting more people than ever before in Kerala too. 

That -- according to some analysts wedded to distorted Secularism (that is Sickularism) should worry both Christians and Muslims in the state who have traditionally opposed the BJP's pro-Hindu politics.

The BJP's growing support base naturally means dwindling popularity for Kerala's two traditional political alliances — one led by the Congress party and the other led by leftist parties.

The leftist parties' ouster from power in Kerala, the only state where they were running the government till now, will probobly wipe out communism from Indian politics.

The Marxist-led Left Front lost power in their one-time stronghold West Bengal in 2011 after ruling the state for 34 years at a stretch. 

In 2018, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) lost power in yet another small state, Tripura, which has a sizable number of native Christian tribal people and a large number of Hindu Bengalis.

Nevertheless Kerala's communist leader and the outgoing chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, deserves credit for fighting it on. 

He refused to move along the stricter communist path the comrades walked in Tripura and West Bengal.

Critics said Vijayan already "tinted the red flag of the communists with the hues of saffron", the color associated with Hindus. 

In other words, he ran the extra mile not to offend Hindus with his so-called reformist and progressive communist ideas.

Some years - We 'rediscovered' God's own Country - never realising Marxists would be out one day

ends 

Kolkata "Mahanagar's" mandate against Mamata Banerjee --- Rise and Fall of a bathroom slipper-wearing woman from a lower middle class background

"Mahanagar" is a Satyajit Ray master piece. As the name suggests - 'Big City' --- the film portrays contradictions of a metro life and multiple challenges. 

In an age of development, the past/old and the "Tradition" struggle to survive amongst the superficial morals of the middleclass. 

As industry and trade take over the city, the morality which Hindu Bengalis upper caste families try to uphold onto quite tightly are crumbled and re-shaped as well. In political sense, that is a struggle that the then Calcutta and today's Kolkata is still undergoing.   

Vanishing magic of 2011 - Reality of 2026 

During Buddhadeb era; Mamata Banerjee symbolised a new kind of protest -- linking use of land for agriculture and not industries. This had touched an emotive chord. 

The film is a story of a housewife. But Mamata has been a lifelong spinster and the struggles of the outgoing chief minister and the film's protagonist Arati are similar.   

On the vote counting day, May 4th -- the BJP has turned the table.

From 14 in 2021 to 54 seats in Bengal's Presidency region, the Lotus party has flipped the script in Kolkata and surrounding areas and extended its reach beyond the tea garden districts.

The film Mahanagar was made in the 1960s. The era was different. First the Congress and then the Left - Mamata struggled and came up the ladder hard way. She did not have spoon-feeding luxury or a political legacy to cherish. The film's character - a faceless housewife struggles --- she is dutiful, manages home ad accepts life as it came. 

But when the crisis comes as cost of living increases manifold; she shows courage and turns a rebel. 

The politician Mamata was always a rebel. She thrived with it. She was manhandled by Left goons and cops. She showed her rebellion nature even in Parliament. Protested against Speaker Lok Sabha, Shvraj Patil in 1995 and in 2004 threw bangles at the Speaker Somnath Chatterjee (Marxist) for disallowing her not to raise the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration. 

The paradox is in 2026; she opposed SIR and by then her image is pro-infiltrators too.    The Bangladeshi infiltration issue also contributed big time for her ouster.

In the film, Arati resigns from her job in a fit of rage.

In unemployment she and her husband 'become equal'. Is that the proper way of  resembling the growth of the metropolitan and the prosperity ? 

In politics; the context is different. There is enough 'rage' in Mamata but perhaps misdirected ones.  If Arati could not survive the job atmosphere; Mamata now has to bow out of office because people have expressed no confidence in her. 

Born: January 5, 1955, in Kolkata, Mamata began her political career in the 1970s and quickly rose within the Congress ranks.

She was Union Minister under P V Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She had defeated Somnath Chatterjee in 1984 but lost the seat in 1989 to Manini Chatterjee of CPI-M.

She never contested from the same seat. In 2021, she lost Nandigram and this year she is giving a brilliant tight in Bhabaninagar. 

Of course, she is leading but she was trailing once.

In Kolkata region, the BJP was doing well in Bidhannagar and Rashbehari (where journalist Swapan Dasgupta is trying his luck).

Mamata will be always remembered for achieving the unthinkable - the ouster of the communists in 2011. 

What makes the  film revolutionary ? 

Arati’s husband (Anil Chatterjee) says in the film ‘a woman’s place is in the home‘, 

Mamata too was ridiculed and discouraged a lot by the Leftists but in the end; the human spirit mattered to both -- the politician as well as the character  in silver screen.

Rajiv Gandhi and Mamata 

  

For over 15 years, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pitch and emotional appeal were built around the formula of three Ms - maa, maati, and manush. 

However, the 2026 high-stakes poll battle saw four Ms shaping the contest - Muslim, mahila (women), migrants and the Matua (Hindu) community.

The appeal of two more Ms - Modi and Mamata - were also crucial in determining the results of West Bengal elections.

Blogger in Kolkata 

Moreover, during campaign PM Narendra Modi said - TMC made lives of Ma - unsafe, Maati was made available for Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators and Manush - local West Bengal citizens had to flee or move out of the state for job.

ends 

Assam ... It's BJP wave ::: Even Gaurav Gogoi struggling ::: Opposition heavyweights trail

 In Assam, it's BJP wave. The saffron party, which remained at No. 3 prior to 2016 --- is now in power since then and has scored hat-trick this year.  

Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, is trailing in the Nazira constituency as counting progresses. 

According to Election Commission data after the fourth round, BJP candidate Mayur Borgohain has secured 22,536 votes, while Saikia has polled 13,661 votes. 

Current margin: BJP ahead by 8,875 votes. 

Notably, Nazira has long been considered a stronghold of the Saikia family, represented earlier by former Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia and Hemoprava Saikia. The current trend marks a significant shift as counting continues.

Counting is being held at 40 centres, with Nagaon hosting three, and Kokrajhar, Tinsukia and Jorhat two each. 

Security deployment includes 25 CAPF companies guarding strongrooms and counting venues, supported by 800 unarmed personnel for EVM movement, two additional CAPF units on static duty, 93 state armed police companies and 85 Assault Groups on standby.  

Blogger in Dibrugarh : Assam 

Opposition heavyweights trail across key seats in early trends  

Top opposition names Debabrata Saikia, Akhil Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Bhuyan fall behind as BJP gains across seats

Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi

All major opposition leaders in Assam, including Leader of the Opposition aikia, Akhil Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Jagadish Bhuyan and Rajen Gohain, were trailing in their respective constituencies.

BJP's Mayur Borgohain secured 11,607 votes after the second round, compared to Saikia's 6,640. 

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi, contesting to retain the Sibsagar seat, is trailing after the first round. He polled 3,262 votes against 5,171 votes secured by BJP's Kushal Dowari.  Assam Congress chief and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi is trailing BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami in the Jorhat Assembly constituency after the second round of counting, according to early trends. 

Amid the ongoing counting process, Gaurav Gogoi said the Congress has put in place monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of Electronic Voting Machines He was trailing by over 4000 votes. 

Gohpur --- 

 After completion of Round 8 counting in the Gohpur constituency, the BJP continues to maintain a commanding lead with 44,032 votes, while the Congress stands at 19,022 votes. 

Current lead: BJP ahead by 25,010 votes. 

Behali -- BJP has further extended its lead with 47,280 votes, while CPI(ML) stands at 15,275 votes. Current lead: BJP ahead by 32,005 votes. 

Sidli-Chirang BPF candidate Paniram Brahma continues to extend his lead as counting progresses. 

Paniram Brahma has secured 36,854 votes, leading by 7,858 votes. UPPL candidate Ranjit Kumar Basumatary has polled 28,996 votes. 

BPF continues to strengthen its lead with each round. After completion of the sixth round of counting in No. 53 Laharighat Assembly constituency, Congress candidate Dr. Asif Mohammad Nazar is leading with 43,705 votes. 

AIUDF candidate Siddiq Ahmed is in second place with 18,786 votes, followed by 

AGP candidate Mohammad Khalilur Rahman with 3,703 votes. Among others, Haresa Khanam (Independent) has secured 400 votes, Omar Farooq (Independent) 211 votes, while NOTA stands at 433 votes.

Some Good must come of the BJP victory in West Bengal :::: Mamata Banerjee's career has been a story of stupendous success as much as this latest tragic tale of downfall :::: Bengal mandate - a display of Hindu resurgence, but guided by Nationalism

EC data shows - BJP leading in 159

Trinamool Congress - 83

Can banner, bickering and mayhem now become history in West Bengal ?

West Bengal mandate is certainly a display of Hindu resurgence. 

But it was guided by genuine nationalism !!

Answering to a query on 'BJP leading in Muslim dominated areas', BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said :

"There has been a Muslim bifurcation. This bifurcation is particularly evident in Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur. In South Bengal and Cooch Behar, Muslims are still initially leaning more towards the TMC, but the kind of 90–95% consolidation seen in 2021 and 2024 is no longer there. 

There are visible cracks in that support base."

As counting underway in four states and one UT, BJP spokesperson 

Syed Zafar Islam says, “It will be a historic performance, whether in West Bengal, Kerala, or Puducherry. We are expecting a clean sweep in Bengal. You will see that there will be surprising results in favour of the NDA even in Tamil Nadu. 

This will be a historic performance because people want a government that works in the interest of the public and the state." 

Heads rolled as Monday, first day of a new working week and the fourth day of May 2026, unfolded. The BJP had campaigned, 'char Maee (Hindi for May), Didi gai". 

It's a reality today. 

The TMC led by its mercurial mass leader Mamata Banerjee has been rejected by substantial margins in their own bastions not invariably by seasoned politicians and also as much by certain odd characters. 

Suvendu Adhikari is no 'odd' protagonist. A creation of Nandigram movement of Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu's father Sishir Adhikari - the former lieutenant of the TMC supremo today gave a good fight to his  former boss in Bhabaninpur. 

In fact, he was leading for a while but lately Mamata took the lead. 

In 2021, he had humbled her in Nandigram. The BJP has achieved its singular objective of capturing power in West Bengal. In such heightened achievements; people may often say - 'dream come true'. 

But this would beat such an eulogy as well. It was more than a Dream. They have beaten a 'malady' in the TMC leadership. 

We may use the phrase Folie de grandeur (French for "madness of grandeur") and it refers to delusions of grandeur or even megalomania --- where an individual holds an exaggerated, unrealistic belief in their own power, wealth and intellect.

Between April 23 and May 4 - the 10-day duration the TMC was looking for excuses. The 'excuses' that would stall the leadership from the blame of defeat. The reality is much bitter. 

And the date with destiny cannot be postponed for ever.

In 2005, Lalu Prasad had faced such a situation in Bihar.    

Postal ballot momentum appears to have translated into a strong early lead for the BJP in West Bengal, with the party now ahead in 185 seats, comfortably past the halfway mark. 

The Trinamool Congress trails at 106, as counting continues across key states including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. 

(around 1130 hours while counting was on) 

In Tamil Nadu, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is now a force to be reckoned with, and is leading in 82 seats, while the DMK is leading closely behind with 57 seats, followed by 47 for the AIADMK. 

Blogger in Dibrugarh : Assam 

In Assam, the BJP has taken a massive lead, crossing the majority mark of 64 and leading in 83 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 27. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF has widened the gap over the ruling LDF and is leading in 73 seats. The LDF and BJP are behind at 25 and 12 seats, respectively. 

In Puducherry, the NDA is leading in six seats and the DMK-Congress alliance is ahead in two seats and TVK one, say very early trends.

Blogger 

The apologists of the Sickular brigade must stop putting the blame for Mamata Banerjee's defeat on SIR or Election Commission's use of its powers. It was not due to Team Modi-Shah's communal platform as has been stated numerous times in the past. 

BBC snap 

The Bengal mandate is certainly a display of Hindu resurgence. But it was guided by genuine nationalism. It was a vote against Islamic radicalism. It was a vote - as BJP's Samik Bhattacharya says - an electoral battle to prevent the state of West Bengal turn into a new Bangladesh. 

The TMC did not realise the slogan 'Jai Bangla' has a typical communal agenda. It's a slogan borrowed from Awami League in Banglaesh and hence had to a pay a bigger price any other ruling party would have paid after 15 years in office.  

Namo: Led and coached the Team well 

ends 

DMK headquarters give 'deserted look' ::: Celebrations cancelled ::::: Trinamool set for major loss of face in West Bengal

 The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has crossed the majority mark in Assam, according to the latest Election Commission trends. As of 10.05 am alliance is leading in more than 90 seats in the 126-member Assembly, putting it on course to form the government as counting continues. 

In West Bengal, the BJP leading in 172.... far ahead of 148 mark and not far away from 200 mark in 294-member assembly.

No victory rallies will be allowed after announcement of results in Bengal: EC official 

Vijay is Tamil Nadu's 'Jana Nayagan', 

BJP flips Bengal's 'khela'

TVK pushes DMK behind with leads in 83 seats, AIADMK ahead in 54

New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, 

The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam has emerged as a major disruptor as counting of votes is underway in Tamil Nadu. As per very early trends, the TVK is leading in 101 seats while the incumbent DMK-led alliance is ahead in 50. The AIADMK-led alliance, meanwhile, is ahead in just 73 seats.

For over 15 years, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pitch and emotional appeal were built around the formula of three 

Ms - maa, maati, and manush. 

However, the 2026 high-stakes poll battle is seeing five Ms shaping the contest - Muslim, mahila (women), migrants, Matua community, and the machinery deployed by the BJP. The appeal of two more Ms - Modi and Mamata - will also be crucial in determining the Bengal elections.

Moreover, during campaign PM Narendra Modi said - TMC made lives of Ma - unsafe, Maati was made available for Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators and Manush - local West Bengal citizens had to flee or move out of the state for job.

Rajiv Gandhi and Mamata 

  

BJP spokesperson 

Syed Zafar Islam says, “It will be a historic performance, whether in West Bengal, Kerala, or Puducherry. We are expecting a clean sweep in Bengal. You will see that there will be surprising results in favour of the NDA even in Tamil Nadu. 

This will be a historic performance because people want a government that works in the interest of the public and the state." 

Grim mood at DMK HQ -- Stalin's party 'at No. 3' as per trends 

Amid early trends, a subdued atmosphere has set in at the DMK headquarters, with party cadres seen packing up and arrangements being dismantled. The shamiyana put up in the office is being taken down and chairs are being removed, signalling possible concern within the camp as counting progresses. 

In a stunning show, the BJP has crossed the 147 majority mark in Bengal against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Bengal has a total of 293 seats.

TVK is leading on 45, 

AIADMK on 41 and 

DMK on 19 seats, as per early trends.

The BJP was leading in eight assembly constituencies while the TMC was ahead in two, according to early trends available on the Election Commission website, as counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections was underway on Monday.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), an ally of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Darjeeling hills, was leading in Kalimpong.

As per EC data, BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau was leading in Jhargram with 5,156 votes, ahead of TMC’s Mongal Saren, who secured 4,180 votes, trailing by 976 votes.

In Monteswar, BJP’s Saikat Panja was leading over his TMC rival Siddiqullah Chowdhury by a margin of 3,486 votes in early rounds.

From Asansol Dakshin, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul was ahead, enjoying a margin of 6,271 votes over her TMC opponent.

The saffron party was also leading in Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, Durgapur Purba

In contrast, in the Deganga constituency, TMC candidate Anisur Rahaman Bidesh was leading over his BJP rival by 2,184 votes.

The TMC was ahead in Kasba.

Assam Cops at job 

Keralam: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "I think right now we've got enough contenders. What matters now is that there should be a change of government, a change of policy and a revival of Kerala.  

The first decisive trends from Cachar district continued to favour the BJP on Monday, with minister Kaushik Rai significantly extending his lead in the Lakhipur Assembly constituency after the second round of counting. 

Rai has secured 17,548 votes, leaving Congress candidate Dr M. Shanti Kumar Singha far behind at 1,303 votes. NOTA has received 538 votes so far. 

A similar trend is visible in Udharbond, where BJP candidate Rajdeep Goala has surged ahead after the second round with 11,964 votes. Congress candidate Ajit Singh trails with 5,675 votes, indicating a strong lead for the ruling party.

Triumph of BJP in West Bengal will be a "multi cause" for grand celebration ::: It's win against Islamic Demograhic intent, against Radicalisation... It's victory for Development, Hindutva and Nationalism

The mandate marks the end of a political journey as of now for a leader who had turned overnight cheerleader of chaos and anti-industry.

BJP leading in 159

Trinamool - 117. 

BJP leaders say --- It is the people of Bengal who wanted the change.  

The triumph of BJP in West Bengal is a 'multi cause of celebration' for its leaders and workers and millions of admirers - often called Modi Bhakts.

Mamata had boasted she will not allow SIR. It was a totally misplaced stance. Her opposition made cadres misdirected, perhaps the party organisation suffered. 

The wrong priorities overwhelmed her party's eco system and practically gheraoed their mindset.  

It may mark the end of 15 year rule of Mamata Banerjee. Prior to that the Leftists were in power for 34 years.

BJP was leading in 150 as counting was on and TMC leading in 105.

But it also a spectacular personal triumph for Suvendu Adhikari who had in 2021 made Mamata taste defeat in Nandigram but could not prevent her from coming to power. 

Today's win in Bhabhanipur would be a remarkable victory.

In 2006, the TMC won 10% of the seats in a local assembly election, while the left-wing coalition won nearly 80% of the seats. 

In national elections in 2004, the TMC won only one of the 42 seats of West Bengal state.

Once upon a time 

At one point of time Mamata  was considered something of a "political oddball". But she fought back and could oust the Left in 2011.

Pointers how Mamata has been different  

Unlike most politicians who quit the Congress party, Mamata Banerjee has not sheepishly returned to the party after the independent venture failed.  

But appreciation should also accompany the mention of some 'facts'. 

After 2006, she has been at the forefront of opposition to West Bengal's controversial policy of building Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in rural areas - a cause that won her much admiration in a state where large parts of the electorate still earn their living from the land. 

She got votes but essentially she opposed industry and harmed the youths. And 15 years as chief minister, she could not win the confidence of the industry and desi corporate honchos. 

Today, if the trends ultimately turn into results; is a day of celebration for Indian industry and manufacturing sector too.