The saffron sunrise in the east
The impossible dream of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finally became a reality. After nearly 15 years of determined, relentless efforts, punctuated by both stinging electoral defeats and surprising gains, the saffron party has stormed to power in West Bengal. The 2026 Assembly election was not just a victory; it was a tsunami that swept away the Trinamool Congress (TMC), rewriting the political destiny of a state known for its steadfast loyalty to Mamata Banerjee.
Early trends indicated a tectonic shift. As the results poured in, the BJP clinched 207 of the 294 seats, steamrolling past the majority mark. In a dramatic reversal of 2021, when the TMC won 215 seats, the positions were almost entirely reversed, leaving the TMC with a mere 80 seats. Congress and the CPI(M) remained insignificant, winning one seat each. This victory marks a watershed moment. For the first time in nearly 50 years, West Bengal is set to be governed by the same party that holds power at the Centre. The narrative of ‘Didi versus Modi’ ended decisively in favour of the latter. Hailing the 2026 win as a “spectacular victory”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the mandate for development, opportunity and dignity for all reflected a strong desire for change.
The West Bengal election was a prestige issue for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The electoral campaign in Bengal was reinforced by his multiple visits and strategic ground oversight by his deputy Amit Shah and the senior leadership, significantly elevating the morale of party cadres.
After the party’s maiden win in Bengal, Modi appeared at the BJP headquarters in Delhi clad in dhuti-panjabi (traditional Bengali attire). In his victory speech he stated: “Change has happened in Bengal.” He also appealed to his party in Bengal to resolve to end the unending cycle of poll violence. “We should not talk about revenge but about change; about the future, not fear,” he cautioned.
Modi also assured Bengal’s women that they would now find an environment of safety, and young people would find employment. He said: “BJP will now run governments in Anga, Banga and Kalinga (Bihar, Bengal and Odisha), and this holds immense importance for ‘Purvodaya’ (the rise of the eastern region). Reviving the region’s economic and cultural prominence is vital for the nation’s progress.”
Industry leaders praised Modi’s strategic vision for rebranding the state. “With renewed focus, stability and close collaboration between the Centre and the state, West Bengal has a significant opportunity to accelerate progress across infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, services and the manufacturing sector. We look forward to contributing meaningfully to the economic progress of Bengal. With the rise of Bengal’s economic health, the India growth story will get a positive fillip,” says Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group.
Echoing Neotia, NG Khaitan, senior partner, Khaitan & Company, and immediate past president and present chairman of the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Bharat Chamber of Commerce, says: “There is tremendous euphoria amongst investors, industry and trade regarding the potential of the state to once again emerge as an economic powerhouse. This is only possible if the new government adopts a proactive business policy and approach without delay. Land reforms require immediate action. Repeal of the Urban Land Ceiling Act should be undertaken forthwith.”
Suvendu Adhikari turned out to be a giant killer for the BJP, having first defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and then defeating her again this time from her stronghold at Bhawanipore.
Adhikari was, expectedly, named the BJP’s first chief minister in Bengal. Once known as a trusted lieutenant of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, particularly during the anti-land acquisition movements in Nandigram, Adhikari switched to the BJP in 2020.
The fall of the TMC, reminiscent of the 2011 ‘Parivartan’ (change) that saw the CPI(M) ousted, was driven by intense anti-incumbency and deep-seated dissatisfaction among the electorate. Bengal was starving for development. The TMC failed to bring any big-ticket investment to the state over the last 15 years. The wound of Tata’s exit from the Nano car project in Singur is still fresh. As per the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Annual Report 2024-25, West Bengal ranked 14th in realised investments, with roughly Rs 3,735 crore, representing merely 1.2 per cent of the total. The whispered voices at tea stalls soon became a roar.
The younger generation felt forced to migrate to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune for job opportunities. Allegations of corruption, extortion and the cut-money culture, combined with teacher recruitment scams (SSC), eroded public trust. The BJP successfully framed the TMC’s governance as minority appeasement. This polarisation triggered a massive consolidation of Hindu votes, breaching the TMC’s core vote banks, particularly in rural and bordering areas.
The 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College became the moral turning point. The subsequent protests, and the perception of a cover-up, shook the conscience of Bengal and severely damaged the TMC’s pro-women image. The BJP strategically fielded the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, from Panihati, and she won by a massive margin, highlighting the public desire for accountability. In contrast, the TMC’s decision to field candidates accused in corruption cases, including those out on bail, backfired, causing resentment among voters.
An industrialist in Bengal stated that anti-incumbency sentiment among the people prevailed over the doles economy. This is the first time people have voted freely and peacefully due to the deployment of record numbers of central forces.
The 2026 Bengal election generated such intense national interest that it overshadowed the IPL. The Election Commission had deployed central forces which took over Kolkata’s streets nearly a month before the election, turning every lane and by-lane into what resembled an active war zone. Even sophisticated armoured vehicles patrolled the city to ensure a fair voting process unlike anything people had seen before. Local residents even joked that the operation felt less like an election and more like a war – lacking only the air force and navy.
The BJP fought the election with unprecedented focus. Recognising the need to connect with Bengali sentiment, party members engaged in local customs, including ‘fish-eating’ leaders, to bridge the gap with voters. The BJP introduced a transformative promise – doubling the Kanyasree amount and making it universal – appealing directly to women voters.
Mamata Banerjee’s loss from Bhawanipur reflected a deep, systemic dissatisfaction within her own stronghold. Internal fissures within the TMC erupted immediately. Many party leaders blamed the ‘corporate culture’ brought into the party, directly targeting her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. Some senior leaders even referred to his management as a “curse” that led to the “miserable defeat.”
Post-results, Mamata Banerjee refused to tender her resignation and stated that the BJP had rigged the election. It was her symbolic protest against the Election Commission and the BJP. “The entire electoral process had been compromised and rigged, including counting fraud. We did not lose. It was forceful attempts to engineer a defeat,” she claimed at a press conference. The TMC polled 2,60,13,377 votes (48.8 per cent share), which was 32,11,427 fewer than the BJP’s 2,92,24,804 votes (45.84 per cent). Meanwhile, over 27 lakh voters excluded due to alleged discrepancies could not vote because their appeals could not be heard in time.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari adopted a more conciliatory tone, promising development for all and stating that there should be no disrespectful acts against the outgoing three-time chief minister, a sign of transition in Bengal’s political culture.
India Inc is heavily upbeat about the new BJP government, expecting a massive boost in industrial investment. With the Centre and the state now aligned, analysts predict that West Bengal will stop being a laggard and become a significant contributor to the country’s total investment share, reversing the trend of capital flight from the state.
“Change represents a positive step forward. The historical perception of West Bengal as an investment hub has been challenging, resulting in a migration of talent to other states. Nevertheless, this new phase serves as a critical turning point to revitalise the state’s image,” says Sunil Chaturvedi, Chairman, Gainwell Group. “West Bengal holds unparalleled potential, characterised by vast natural resources and a remarkably stable climate. With supportive backing from the central government, the state is well on its way to achieving full economic realisation.”
Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, says: “We welcome the new government and are optimistic about the renewed push for industrial revival in West Bengal. With its strong manufacturing legacy, the state can regain its position as a preferred investment destination through improved ease of doing business, faster clearances and better alignment with central policies. An investor-friendly environment, supported by regulatory reforms and infrastructure development, can unlock significant growth, especially in rail manufacturing and allied sectors.”
The 2026 election was more than a change in government; it was a fundamental shift in the social and political structure of West Bengal, breaking the 15-year iron grip of the TMC and ushering in an era of ‘double-engine’ governance. Reports suggest that Sanjiv Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, has emerged as a strong contender to become Bengal’s new finance minister.
However, the change also brought immediate, hard realities. The new BJP government made it clear that those removed from the voter list, including those whose appeals are pending before tribunals, would not receive the benefits of the Annapurna Bhandar – the new scheme designed to replace the TMC’s Lakshmir Bhandar – until their citizenship status was verified.
The new BJP government in Bengal should be careful not to focus excessively on religious issues like mandir-masjid, which risk creating social friction and are unlikely to be accepted by the peace-loving people of Bengal. Instead, the government should prioritise economic growth and job creation in order to foster an investor-friendly environment that aligns with the preferences of citizens.