U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a historic victory in West Bengal [1].
The result marks a major political shift in India by ending the 15-year rule [2] of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress party. The victory allows the BJP to form the state government for the first time, signaling a consolidation of power for Modi's party in a region that had long resisted its influence.
President Trump said the result was a "historic and decisive election victory" [1]. His message was intended to acknowledge the political transition and reinforce diplomatic ties between the U.S. and India.
The scale of the shift is reflected in the seat counts. The BJP is leading in 205 seats [2] following the results announced on May 5, 2026 [3]. This represents a significant increase from 2021, when the party held 77 seats [2].
Despite the loss, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to step down. She said, "I have not been defeated" [4]. Her refusal to resign creates a period of political tension as the state transitions to a new administration.
Prime Minister Modi said the "lotus blooms in West Bengal" [2]. The BJP's success in the state is seen as a milestone for the party's national strategy to expand its reach into eastern India.
“historic and decisive election victory”
The BJP's victory in West Bengal removes one of the most significant regional barriers to the party's dominance in India. By displacing a long-standing opponent like Mamata Banerjee, the BJP strengthens its internal political mandate, which may provide Prime Minister Modi with greater leverage in both domestic policy and international relations, including his partnership with the U.S. administration.
