West Bengal is not a part of Hindi belt in India. It is not one of the states which is instantly linked with communal uprisings. West Bengal is one of the places, where those trying to escape the Gujarat-carnage (2002), chose to take refuge in. It is a state better known for secularism than right-winged communalism.  Against this backdrop, it isn’t surprising that state’s recent electoral verdict here has attracted attention from across the world. This refers to state’s assembly elections. One is tempted to reflect on their results and reasons for which they appear to be given the maximum importance. Of these the most significant appears to be Mamata Banerjee’s defeat and victory of the new chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari. Though this marks Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s assumption of power in West Bengal for the first time, at present, the politician credited for making this possible is one who was a member of its rival party for a longer period. Earlier, he was a member of Indian National Congress (INC), from 1995-2000. His association with BJP does not cover even a decade, while that with Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) lasted around two decades (2000-2020). Suvendu became a member of BJP in 2020. It is fairly well known that had Mamata not begun giving her nephew greater importance than to him, he may have probably never parted company with TMC. But then there is nothing surprising about this. Not one, but many politicians have changed party camps, whether in parliamentary or assembly elections, if the new political identity can assure them the desired success. 
Suvendu’s campaign for BJP appears to have a played a major part in enhancing this party’s prospects in West Bengal. Prior to his becoming a member of BJP, the party won only three seats in 2016 assembly elections. In 2021, BJP won-77 seats and in 2026- 207. Politically, Suvendu’s success rests on his being an old Bengali politician, familiar with politicking styles of Congress as well as TMC. To a degree, attempt has been made to overshadow impact of his campaign by laying stress on BJP’s success being due to Hindu votes. However, if Suvendu had not been in the forefront with his political rhetoric against Mamata, the results may have been different. 
BJP emerged as the winner with Suvendu as a key campaigner, making most of anti-Mamata politicking. And he had substantial ground to do so. This also suggests, BJP appears to have been gifted West Bengal by negative image of Mamata Banerjee and her party-TMC. Negative campaigning targeting party and leaders in power plays a great part in helping another party take over from it, especially if it is for the first time. In this context, BJP was not expected to give any explanation for the problems faced by voters  while TMC was in power. Rather, its extensive criticism of Mamata, her party and their stay in power was presented before the people as totally justified. The same can be said about promises and so forth laid before the people. All voters were expected to do was give BJP a chance. Little importance was given to the political reality that Suvendu had been a TMC member for greater part of his political life prior to shifting his loyalty to BJP. But perhaps his being a TMC member earlier made his political battle against it easier. His anti-Mamata campaign was apparently easier to believe than would have been of any other BJP member. Suvendu’s political cards probably also assumed greater significance on their being marked by his success in defeating Mamata Banerjee in 2021 as well as 2026 assembly elections, from Nandigram and Bbabanipur, respectively. 
What can be said about rhetoric laying stress on BJP having been totally supported by all Hindu voters of West Bengal? Seventy percent are Hindus and around 21% Muslims in the state. Even if all, or at least 50-60% of state’s Hindus had voted for BJP, the party would have probably received a greater percentage of votes and perhaps lesser seats would have favored TMC. However, less than 45% votes have been received by BJP and around 40% by TMC.  From which angle can one presume that each Bengali Hindu has voted for BJP as has been claimed by certain party leaders? Equally significant are reports about TMC having been supported by a considerable number of Hindus and that sections of Muslims have voted for BJP. The latter point is to a degree supported by BJP having fared well in certain areas dominated by Muslims. In addition, Bengali voters have stated that anti-incumbency factor along with economic issues led to Hindus as well as Muslims vote against TMC. BJP and TMC were two leading parties in the race. Division in anti-BJP votes, further reduced votes and seats favoring TMC and led the former emerge winner.  
At the same time, it cannot be denied that while campaigning, Suvendu went overboard in displaying anti-Muslim communal rhetoric. During his two decades with TMC, he is least likely to have probably ever even considered such politicking. But changing political camps has for a while led him to display a new political identity for apparently specific reasons. Suvendu has never been known to be associated with saffron brigade. It is apparently to be accepted as a committed BJP member that he chose to indulge in anti-Muslim campaign while giving emphasis to Hindu-vote of West Bengal. This was perhaps his political strategy to ensure his acceptance by the BJP stalwarts. Clearly, he chose to speak language which would ensure their support for him. That it did, is marked by his being selected as their choice for the chief minister’s position. However, limitations of religious card, with communal orientations, did not take too long in being exposed. Soon after taking oath, he expressed that now he was chief minister for all. He expressed this while silencing supporters shouting “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. There have been comments on his having betrayed “Hindu” voters by distancing himself from them after having used their electoral support. 
Suvendu has been given a chance because of voters’ dissatisfaction with Mamata Banerjee. Simply speaking, Suvendu’s anti-Mamata campaign has clicked with voters and has helped BJP win. It is not his wave, that of Modi, Shah, BJP, even Hindu-vote or anti-Muslim communal wave. He seemed to be perfect leader to be given a chance as he had displayed his potential prior to joining the BJP. Some hype has also been raised about impact of Modi jhal muri snack while campaigning in the state. Chances are, however, extremely limited about a serious Bengali voter gifting away his/her vote over a snack. But yes, that around 45% voters have chosen to favor BJP and not TMC cannot be missed. Statistically, these do not represent all Hindus of the state and do not include 55% voters, who have chosen not to favor BJP!