'Lotus blooms in West Bengal': PM Narendra Modi hails BJP's historic win, ends Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule

As of 6 pm, the BJP was leading in 205 seats — a massive jump from its 77 seats in 2021 — and is set to form the government in West Bengal for the first time, ending three consecutive terms of the Trinamool Congress. 

According to Election Commission of India trends, the Congress has secured 2 seats, while AJUP, CPI(M), and AISF have won one or two seats each.

Reacting to the results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The lotus blooms in West Bengal. These elections will be remembered forever. People's power has prevailed, and BJP's politics of good governance has triumphed. I bow to the people of West Bengal."

He added that the party would work to fulfil the aspirations of the people and ensure governance focused on opportunity and dignity for all sections of society.

The BJP's performance marks the end of Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule in the state, with the party crossing the 200-seat mark — a historic first in Bengal.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reacted to the victory, congratulating party workers and supporters.

Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media showed Mamata Banerjee arriving at a counting centre in Bhabanipur amid sloganeering. The footage captured a tense atmosphere outside the Shekhawat Memorial School counting centre in Kolkata as vote counting continued.

Veteran actress and member of the Lok Sabha from the BJP, Hema Malini, used social media to express her delight at the BJP's impressive performance in West Bengal Assembly elections.

Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for successfully turning the tide in the state in their favour, Hema Malini wrote on her official Instagram handle, "The euphoria is still settling in! Thrilled with the BJP win in Bengal - all the planning and hard work of Modi ji and Amit Shah ji has finally paid off! Proud to have been a small part of the hard campaigning that saw the landslide victory of the BJP over the TMC (sic)."

"Victory of democracy in a big way endorsed by public awareness. My hearty congratulations to all the winners of this historic election", she went on to add.

Television actress Rupali Ganguly also tweeted, "Bengal chose democracy over fear. A big thank you to our brave CRPF personnel who ensured peaceful voting despite every challenge. Jai CRPF".

Refreshing your memory, Rupali had used the micro-blogging site to bash Mamata Banerjee's TMC rule in the state.

"I think it is very important that BJP's government comes there and I have no shame in saying that I am ashamed that somebody like Mamata Banerjee has been the CM of a beautiful, beautiful state like Bengal. I mean, what she has done, the R.G.Kar case, you know. At least, they should have removed the Dean, at least to show off, but no, they got him transferred. Because of this shamelessness, everybody there has been oppressed; they have been tortured. So, it is high time, I hope that this time, the real Bengalis, the real Bengalis, all of them should stand together," the 'Anupamaa' actress had written.

Yoga guru and businessman Baba Ramdev on Monday congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its performance in the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam, stating that the five-state verdict has given a "new direction'' to Indian politics and reflects people's growing trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to IANS, Ramdev credited the BJP's success to a combination of strong leadership, organisational effort, and public faith.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a personality in politics like the Himalayas. No one appears even close to his stature. Such a great political personality is not formed in a single day, he has done penance for 50 years for it. The people of the country have placed their trust in him," he said.

As counting continued across four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry, Ramdev said the overall outcome marks a turning point in national politics. "The elections in five states have given a new direction to the country's politics. Those who were consumed by the frenzy of political dominance, established within political parties, now that towering structure of supremacy has crumbled into dust," he remarked.

Referring specifically to West Bengal, he said the support shown by voters towards the BJP and Prime Minister Modi was significant. He also lauded Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his organisational efforts. "The Prime Minister, who today is the biggest brand in politics — to translate that brand's vision onto the ground. The relentless and formidable effort made by Amit Shah is unparalleled in itself," he added.

Ramdev also highlighted the political upswing of Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling his imminent victory a "very significant benchmark."

According to him, it reflects a blend of ideology and governance.

"It shows what the confluence of Hindutva, development, and Sanatan truly looks like," he said.

At the same time, the yoga guru extended greetings to the Indian National Congress for its performance in Kerala. "I also extend my best wishes to the Congress for the success it has achieved in Kerala, even if it is for its own sense of satisfaction. Democracy becomes stronger only when both the ruling side and the opposition move forward with full strength and sharpness," he said.

The remarks come amid ongoing counting of votes in key Assembly elections, with early trends indicating significant political shifts in several regions.

Voting for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly was conducted in two phases, on April 23 and April 29.