The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed 200 seats in West Bengal assembly election trends on 4 May 2026, surging past the 148-seat majority mark in the 294-seat legislature and ending Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee’s unbroken grip on the state since 2011 — a span of 15 years.
The BJP tally marks a sharp reversal from its 77-seat finish in the 2021 assembly elections, when the TMC won 213 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC) and Left Front, contesting as an alliance, failed to reach double digits combined — repeating their 2021 shutout.
Districts where BJP dominated
BJP posted commanding leads in North 24 Parganas, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Bankura, and Purulia — all identified as priority targets during the campaign. TMC retained leads in Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas, its strongest districts, though margins narrowed sharply from 2021 levels.
District-wise trend snapshot — West Bengal 2026
| District | Total Seats | BJP Leads | TMC Leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| North 24 Parganas | 33 | 22 | 11 |
| Cooch Behar | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| Bankura | 12 | 10 | 2 |
| Murshidabad | 22 | 7 | 15 |
| South 24 Parganas | 31 | 13 | 18 |
Mamata trails in Bhowanipore
Mamata Banerjee trailed by over 15,000 votes in Bhowanipore — the south Kolkata seat she won in the 2021 by-election. A loss there would end her unbroken legislative presence since 2011. Her Kalighat residence, typically crowded with TMC workers on result days, saw security personnel outnumber visitors through the morning.
BJP workers gathered outside the party’s state headquarters on Muktaram Babu Street, Kolkata, waving flags and bursting firecrackers. Average voter turnout across both phases stood at 92.93%, per Election Commission of India (ECI) data.
“The people of Bengal have ended 15 years of misrule today. We will form a government that delivers development without appeasement.”
Suvendu Adhikari, BJP West Bengal Legislature Party Leader · Press address, Kolkata · 4 May 2026
BJP did not name a chief ministerial candidate before counting. The BJP legislature party will elect its leader after the ECI certifies final results, expected by the evening of 4 May 2026. BJP national president J.P. Nadda is scheduled to address media in New Delhi once the majority is confirmed. Governor C.V. Ananda Bose will invite the single-largest party to form a government within 48 hours of official certification, per constitutional convention.
ℹ️ Background
- West Bengal has 294 assembly constituencies. Majority mark: 148 seats.
- TMC won 213 seats in May 2021; BJP won 77.
- Average voter turnout across Phases 1–2: 92.93%, per ECI data.
- BJP named no chief ministerial face ahead of counting.
FAQ
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