The BJP won 206 of 294 seats in West Bengal, achieving its first victory in the state. The result triggered violent clashes across the state in which four people were killed and at least one police officer was wounded. Mamata Banerjee, the long-serving chief minister, lost her seat and has rejected the outcome, alleging manipulation. The Election Commission ordered "zero tolerance" for post-poll violence as authorities work to restore order.
Four Dead After Violent Clashes Erupt Following BJP's Landmark Win in West Bengal
Police guard the road leading towards the official residence of outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata [AFP]
At least four people have died in violent clashes that broke out across West Bengal after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a historic victory in the state election, police and party officials said.
Modi’s BJP won 206 of the 294 assembly seats in results announced on Tuesday, marking the party’s first-ever win in the strategically important eastern state of roughly 100 million residents.
West Bengal had been governed by Mamata Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) since 2011. Banerjee lost her own seat in the election and has rejected the official results, alleging that the federal government manipulated the outcome. She has refused to resign as chief minister.
Police reported that clashes between rival party supporters erupted in Kolkata and several other districts after the results were declared. The BJP said two of its workers were killed, while the TMC said two of its grassroots activists were beaten to death. A senior police officer, speaking without authorization, confirmed four fatalities and said one police officer had been shot in the leg.
“Two of our workers were killed after results of the elections were announced,” BJP state leader Samik Bhattacharya told AFP, adding that the party stood "for peace."
The TMC described the deaths as the "brutal murder" of two party workers and said party offices were attacked and vandalised in several areas. Kolkata police said law-and-order incidents occurred in parts of Topsia and Tiljala, during which public property was damaged.
Election Commission Response: The Election Commission of India (ECI), which has denied allegations of misconduct, directed West Bengal’s top officials to enforce a policy of "zero tolerance" toward post-poll violence. The ECI asked the state administration and security agencies to take all necessary steps to prevent intimidation, reprisals or further clashes linked to the electoral outcome, according to public broadcaster All India Radio.
Under the Indian constitution, the state governor may request Banerjee to resign or wait until her term expires—scheduled for Thursday—after which newly elected legislators would be sworn in and the process of forming a new government would begin.
Analysts say the BJP’s victory in largely Bengali-speaking West Bengal is one of its most significant gains since Narendra Modi first became prime minister in 2014, expanding the party’s influence beyond its traditional Hindi-speaking strongholds in north and central India.
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