Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday described the Bharatiya Janata Party’s performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections as a “historic victory.” He said voters had rejected “fear” and “appeasement politics.”
In a series of posts on X, Shah thanked the people of the state and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the strong mandate.
“Millions of salutations to the people of Bengal," Shah wrote, adding, “This resounding public mandate is the people of Bengal’s resounding response to those who spread fear, appeasement, and protection to infiltrators."
Credits Modi’s leadership
Shah said the result reflects people’s trust in Modi’s leadership.
“This is the victory of trust in Shri Narendra Modi ji over the TMC’s ‘fear’," he wrote.
He also highlighted the symbolic rise of the BJP across the region.
“For every BJP worker like me, this is a moment of pride that from the source of Mother Ganga in Gangotri to Gangasagar, today the BJP’s saffron flag is proudly waving everywhere."
Tribute to party workers
Shah emphasised the role of party workers in achieving the victory. He said their sacrifices and struggles made the result possible.
“This historic victory for the BJP in Bengal is the result of the sacrifices, struggles, and martyrdom of our countless workers," he said.
“It is a triumph of the patience of those families who, even while enduring violence, never abandoned the saffron flag."
He also reflected on the party’s long journey in the state.
“In this arduous journey of the BJP from zero to a resounding majority today, I bow to all those workers who offered their lives, endured violence, suffered tortures, and yet never wavered from the path of ideology, and to their families."
“The people of Bengal have paid tribute to all those martyred BJP workers through this resounding majority."
Sharp attack on rivals
Shah also targeted political opponents and their approach. “The people of Bengal have taught such a lesson to the infiltrators and their sympathisers that the parties indulging in the politics of appeasement will never be able to forget."
Looking ahead, he promised that the BJP would deliver on people’s expectations.
“With the hopes and aspirations with which Bengal has expressed this trust in the leadership of Shri Modi ji, we will certainly fulfill them."
“BJP will work day and night to restore the lost glory of Bengal, and to realise the dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’," he added.
BJP surges ahead in counting trends
Shah’s remarks came as counting trends showed a strong performance by the BJP in the 294-member Assembly.
According to PTI, the party “won 18 seats and was leading in 185 others," while the All India Trinamool Congress “bagged eight and was ahead in 76 constituencies".
The BJP secured wins in several constituencies, including Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Monteswar, Bhatar, Medinipur, Asansol Dakshin, Mekhliganj, Burwan, Nakasipara, Khardaha, Jagatballavpur, Jhargram, Saltora, Ranibandh, Jamalpur, Raniganj, Jamuria, and Barabani.
Meanwhile, the TMC won seats such as Itahar, Sujapur, Samserganj, Bhagwangola, Bharatpur, Deganga, Kultali, and Metiabruz.
Trouble for TMC leadership
The trends signalled setbacks for the ruling party led by Mamata Banerjee. PTI reported that “at least 23 ministers were trailing across constituencies."
Several key ministers were behind in their seats. Education Minister Bratya Basu trailed by 20,780 votes. Irrigation Minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia trailed by 9,142 votes. Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja was behind by nearly 14,633 votes. Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya trailed by 10,851 votes.
In Singur, BJP candidate Arup Kumar Das led by 23,361 votes against TMC’s Becharam Manna, marking a major development in a politically important constituency.
Counting underway across the state
The results come during a high-stakes electoral battle in West Bengal. Counting is taking place in 293 seats. Polling in the Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas district was countermanded by the Election Commission, leaving that seat out of the current count.