Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrated in Kolkata on Monday as the party took a strong lead in the West Bengal assembly election results [1, 2].

This development suggests a possible power shift in the state, as the BJP is currently outpacing the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) by a significant margin [1, 3].

The celebrations occurred during the counting of votes on May 4, 2026 [1, 2]. Reports on the specific number of seats where the BJP held a lead varied as the count progressed. One report indicated the BJP was leading in 189 seats while the TMC held 92 [1]. Another source said the BJP led on 195 of the 293 total seats [2].

Earlier in the counting process, the BJP was reported to be leading in 71 seats, which was nearly twice the number of seats held by the TMC at that stage [3].

The assembly elections were conducted in two phases, with voting taking place on April 23 and April 29, 2026 [4].

Supporters in Kolkata filled the streets to mark the anticipation of victory. The atmosphere remained jubilant as workers monitored the results, which indicate the state may turn saffron following the party's strong performance [2].

“BJP leading on 195 of the 293 total seats at the time of reporting”

A victory for the BJP in West Bengal would represent a major political realignment in eastern India. By challenging the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress, the BJP is attempting to expand its governance footprint into a state traditionally resistant to its platform, potentially altering the national political balance of power.