In a political shift of seismic proportions, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to form its first-ever government in West Bengal on May 9, 2026. Strategically scheduled for Rabindra Jayanti, the swearing-in follows a decisive mandate where the BJP secured 207 seats, ending the 15-year reign of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC). The election—defined by an unprecedented 92.93% voter turnout—saw the symbolic fall of the TMC’s South Kolkata fortress, as the outgoing Chief Minister lost her Bhabanipur seat to Suvendu Adhikari by over 15,000 votes. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the Kolkata ceremony, the “Saffron Era” begins with promises of Asol Poriborton and a new ideological guard in the East.
As polling concludes across four states and one Union Territory, exit polls present a shifting political landscape for 2026. While the BJP is projected to dominate in Assam and maintains a slight edge in West Bengal, the battle for Kolkata remains tight with some pollsters backing a TMC victory. In Tamil Nadu, while the DMK remains a favorite, actor Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a major disruptor, with some polls even suggesting a hung assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala appears set for its traditional power shift with the UDF leading the race, and Puducherry looks likely to retain its NDA government.
