BJP Eyes West Bengal After Bihar Sweep: Will Modi’s Momentum Persist?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strategically pivoting towards West Bengal following its commanding victory in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared West Bengal as the next frontier, aiming to dethrone Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party in the 2026 state elections. Modi articulated in his victory speech that the success in Bihar has opened a pathway for BJP’s expansion into Bengal, promising to eradicate the ‘jungle raj’ and establish a governance model focused on development and public welfare. The BJP has been striving to increase its political footprint across India since 2014, with West Bengal being a key, albeit difficult, target. Early attempts in the 2016 assembly elections yielded minimal results, with only three seats won. A significant turnaround occurred in the 2019 general elections, where the BJP secured 18 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, boosting its confidence. This prompted a robust campaign for the 2021 assembly elections, involving intensive rallies by top BJP leadership. While the party fell short of its electoral goals, it successfully positioned itself as the main opposition, dramatically increasing its vote share to 38%. The question remains whether the electoral dynamics of Bihar will directly influence the political landscape in West Bengal. Experts suggest that factors such as women’s voting patterns, the impact of government welfare programs (‘doles’), and inclusive political strategies will play a pivotal role. The outcome of these elements could determine the BJP’s ability to replicate its national success at the state level.