Vote counting across several Indian states and union territories continued on Monday under tight security, with early trends placing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a strong position, particularly in the politically crucial state of West Bengal.
According to preliminary figures released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP was leading in 176 of the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal, suggesting a possible breakthrough in a state long dominated by opposition forces. The result has drawn nationwide attention due to the state’s political weight and its history of electoral volatility.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who leads the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and has governed the state since 2011, had earlier expressed confidence that her party would retain power. However, BJP state leaders maintained that voters were seeking change after years of TMC rule.
The election campaign in West Bengal was marked by intense political rivalry and controversy, including allegations surrounding the deletion of millions of voter names from electoral rolls. Critics argued that the move disproportionately affected marginalised and minority communities, while officials maintained it was part of a routine verification process.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, early trends indicated that veteran leader MK Stalin and his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) were trailing. Surprisingly, political newcomer and film actor C Joseph Vijay, who launched his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in 2024, was showing unexpected gains.
Vote counting was also underway in Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala, where shifting trends suggested mixed outcomes for major political parties.
Observers noted that if confirmed, BJP’s performance in West Bengal and gains by new political entrants in Tamil Nadu could significantly reshape India’s political landscape ahead of the 2029 general election.
