Mamata, Stalin suffer defeats
New Delhi: The BJP on Monday scripted history in West Bengal, securing a decisive mandate, while the BJP-led NDA clinched a third consecutive term in Assam. In Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan resigned after a strong UDF surge, and in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin lost his seat amid a sweeping victory for actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party.
In West Bengal, the BJP is set to form its first government since Independence, with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) facing defeat after 15 years in power.
While the counting was on when this report was filed, out of 293 Assembly seats, the BJP has won 195 and is leading on 12, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 148. The TMC has secured 68 seats and is leading in 12 constituencies.
Outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was defeated by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, by a margin of 15,114 votes.
This is the second time that Mamata Banerjee has been defeated by Suvendu Adhikari after she was defeated by him from Nandigram assembly constituency in the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections by a margin of a little less than 2,000 votes.
Incidentally, Adhikari also contested from the Nandigram constituency besides Bhabanipur and this time he has been simultaneously elected from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram
However, his victory margin from Nandigram this time is 9,000, lesser that from that in Bhabanipur.
Speaking to the media persons after his victory from Bhabanipur, Adhikari said that since the beginning, he had been claiming that just as he defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram in 2011, he would defeat her this time from Bhabanipur.
Outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accepted the people’s mandate in the Assembly elections and said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would now function as a “constructive and effective Opposition”.
In a message posted on social media, the DMK president congratulated the winners and said he respected the democratic verdict of the electorate.
Reflecting on his government’s tenure, Stalin said his administration had implemented a wide range of welfare schemes and ensured development across sectors.
He noted that the party had sought votes based on its governance record and its promise to continue welfare initiatives.
“We ran a government for all people, including those who did not vote for us. I remained committed to every section and acted according to my conscience,” he said, thanking voters, party cadres and alliance partners of the Secular Progressive Alliance for their support.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday exuded confidence of forming the government in West Bengal for the first time, as party leaders credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the electoral momentum and vowed to usher in a phase of rapid development and governance reforms in the state.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the party is poised to form governments in multiple states, highlighting what he described as the expanding appeal of the Prime Minister’s leadership across the country.
“The BJP is forming governments across states, including securing a third consecutive term in Assam and forming the government in West Bengal for the first time. This reflects the growing trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Poonawalla also targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that despite being given 15 years in power, her government had failed to uphold the spirit of the “Maa, Maati, Manush” slogan.
He further claimed that the electorate has rejected what he termed a “climate of fear” under the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), asserting that “trust and democracy have prevailed” in the state.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP leader Gourav Vallabh said the people of West Bengal have voted against “fear, terror, and corruption,” and expressed confidence that a government focused on good governance would soon take charge.
“We will fulfil all the promises we made — from implementing the Uniform Civil Code to ensuring the dignity and self-respect of women,” Vallabh told IANS.
He added that a BJP government powered by the “double engine” would accelerate development in West Bengal.
“A double-engine government with double speed is set to be formed in Bengal. We aim to transform the state into a major industrial hub of the country,” he said.
