India’s Modi celebrates ‘record’ win in opposition-held West Bengal

In India, on 5 May 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP won the West Bengal state election and took control of a state previously held by the opposition. Modi celebrated a ‘record’ win, described as the party’s first electoral victory in the state. Suvendu of the BJP defeated Mamata Banerjee in her own constituency.

Banerjee refused to step down as West Bengal chief minister and claimed a moral victory, according to Republic TV. The Times of India wrote that a split in minority votes helped the BJP breach strongholds of the TMC. Among the winners was Kalita Maji, a domestic help who contested for the BJP and won in Ausgram. Separately, Vijay began talks with both Congress and the AIADMK to secure a majority.