Political history has been re-written with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) getting the chance for the first time to head the state government in West Bengal. It had always been viewed as a practically impossible task given that the party is fairly infamous for its association with saffron brigade known for its communal image.  Speculations are being raised about BJP’s success in West Bengal resting on a significant percentage of people’s names having been deleted from electoral rolls. But the fact that saffron brigade has won the polls cannot be ignored. What perhaps is disturbing is not the defeat of Mamata Banerjee’s party – All India Trinamool Congress Party (AITMC)- to return to power for the fourth term but the apprehension is that these cannot be viewed as totally free and fair elections. Names of roughly 12% voters were deleted from the electoral rolls. These voters, who were denied their right to vote, reportedly, are largely low-caste Hindus and Muslims. Does this suggest that BJP’s image, resting on it being supported by high-caste Hindus, appears to have swept the polls here? To a degree, this point is defeated, as her name suggests, Mamata Banerjee is herself a high caste Hindu. At the same time, noise being made in certain circles about West Bengal results marking victory of Hindu votes, of every Hindu cannot be ignored.
Against backdrop of BJP’s electoral performance in preceding polls, there is nothing surprising about Banerjee’s defeat. BJP is the party, which has given her party (AITMC) a tough fight in the preceding polls, at both the Assembly level and in the Parliament (Lok Sabha) elections. Considering that she has been in power for 15 years in West Bengal as the Chief Minister, anti-incumbency factor was played upon extensively by BJP leaders during their campaign. In 2021 polls, the BJP secured 77 seats against 215 won by AITMC in 293-member Assembly. The BJP managed only three in 2019 polls, while AITMC won 211. Against this backdrop, BJP’s has been preparing for its political entry in this state for quite some time. But till now, AITMC retained its fort. The state has 42 seats in the Lok Sabha, of which 29 were won by AITMC in 2024, 12 by BJP and the Congress-one. Considering that less than two years ago, Banerjee’s party was strongly supported for the Lok Sabha, its failure to secure even 100 in the Assembly polls seems fairly astonishing. Herein, one is forced to deliberate on democratic credibility of these polls. 
BJP leaders have been engaged in their anti-Banerjee electoral drive for quite some time. BJP’s success apparently rests on importance its leaders chose to give negative campaigning against Banerjee. It may not be incorrect to say that party members didn’t wait for the election-phase to indulge in negative campaigning, their prime aim being to de-throne Banerjee. One may draw attention to the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case (August 9, 2024). No words are enough to condemn the incident. What cannot also be missed is the political noise made regarding it. The incident was and has been used as a part of political drive by BJP leaders for their electoral gain and to target Banerjee. The victim’s mother was fielded by BJP in these elections. She, Ratna Debnath has won from Panihati. 
BJP’s success in West Bengal also spells defeat of a regional party against a national party. India is a land of diversities where political culture is also marked by regional roots of parties in the race. BJP is primarily linked with the Hindi-belt, that is states where Hindi language is spoken. Bangla is the main language of most Bengalis. To a degree, Banerjee’s strong Bengali identity had led to her hold on strongly till now against BJP. This political fort, with BJP’s success, appears to have weakened now. Certainly, BJP’s success also rests on its Bengali candidates. But that they are linked with a party which is primarily associated with the Hindi-belt cannot be missed. 
Undeniably, Banerjee is not satisfied with these results. Chances are that she is least likely to remain quiet for too long. Now, a lot is also going to be dependent on whether BJP leaders are going to let her have an easy time. It wouldn’t be surprising if they choose to take action against her along lines similar to that taken against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Their primary aim would be probably to ensure that she is weakened totally in the political field. True, Banerjee cannot be painted as a completely clean politician with no charges of corruption and so forth listed against her. It is to be seen as to the degree the same are exploited to silence her totally. Once, BSP leader Mayawati was viewed as fairly strong in Uttar Pradesh. Her political voice hardly makes any noise now.  
Election results of Tamil Nadu are also fairly stunning with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) making mark as the leading party but falling short of majority. TVK has won 108 seats in 234-member Assembly. What is notable is the regional parties’ dominance in Tamil Nadu and a fairly weak standing of national parties. While TVK has won more than 100 seats, its close rivals Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) with 59 and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) - 47 are far behind. The Congress has secured only 5. TVK was formed around two years ago. The state used to be viewed as primarily a battleground between DMK and AIADMK till now. TVK has changed this political image. 
Assam’s election results mark return of BJP to power, winning 82 seats. The Congress has managed to win only 19 in the 123-member Assam assembly. In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the Congress has won 63 seats against the 26 secured by CPI (M). Victory of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) spells end of a decade-long rule of Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala.
The most stunning result is undeniably that of West Bengal. The results also signal beginning of a new political battle with Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding them as “stolen.” Describing BJP victory in West Bengal as “immoral” and “illegal,” Banerjee said, “BJP looted more than 100 seats. It is an immoral victory. It is loot, loot, loot. We will bounce back.” Expressing support for her, Congress leader Rahul posted on X, “Assam and Bengal are clear cases of the election being stolen by the BJP with the support of the EC (Election Commission). We agree with Mamata ji. More than 100 seats were stolen in Bengal.” Now, it is to be watched as to how far do these two leaders and their parties choose to align in this battle against BJP!