E-Paper
'From Gangotri to Ganga Sagar, it's Lotus': PM Narendra Modi as BJP wrests Bengal from Mamata
BJP was leading or winning in 205 of the 293 seats where counting of votes was taking place in West Bengal.
Calling the day historic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) landmark win in West Bengal, adding that the mission was long-sought.
Starting his victory speech with ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ chants, PM Modi said at the BJP headquarter that the day is special in many ways.
"Gangotri to Ganga Sagar, har jagah Kamal hi Kamal khila hua hai [from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar, it is Lotus everywhere], PM Modi said later in his speech, referring to the expanding BJP reach across the country. Track live Bengal election results here
“Ek baar phir se kamal khila diya hai [Lotus has bloomed once again],” said PM Modi, thanking BJP leaders and workers for the landslide victory.
Election Commission of India began counting votes for assembly elections 2026 at 8 am on Monday, shortly after which the BJP took an early lead only to widen the gap against TMC.
After multiple rounds of counting, the BJP was leading or winning in 206 seats, according to ECI data at 7:30 pm, while the TMC was struggling at a distant second with a leads tally of 81.
Along with West Bengal, the BJP also secured a win in Assam and the Union territory of Puducherry.
He said the verdict in the 2026 assembly elections is a display of why India is a “mother of democracy”. Not just democracy, India's Constitution has won today, PM Narendra Modi said.
He said the 93 per cent voting percentage is historic in itself, adding that Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Keralam polling records comprised a strong participation by women.
In a shoutout to security forces, PM Modi said, “Your contribution to upholding the dignity of India's democracy will always be remembered.”
Talking about the thumping Bengal victory, PM Modi remembered Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and said his soul must have found peace now.
A new chapter has been added to Bengal, PM Modi said and added that the state has now become fear-free with the public showing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC an exit door.
Mamata says 'we will bounce back
Parallelly, Mamata Banerjee addressed media and allege that over100 seats were “looted” by the BJP, calling the party's victory “immoral”.
“More than 100 seats BJP looted. The Election Commission is the BJP's commission. I complained to the CO and also Manoj Agrawal, but they are not doing anything. Do you think this is a victory? It is an immoral victory, not a moral victory,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Whatever the Election Commission has done, along with the Central Forces and the PM and home minister, is totally illegal, she said.
We will bounce back, Mamata Banerjee said and also alleged that she was kicked at.
"From 3 pm onwards, they have been beating us. I was kicked at. CCTV was switched off. None of our agents was allowed inside (the counting centre). The DO assured me our agents would be allowed, but after that, he was not available anywhere. I complained everywhere," Mamata Banerjee said.
Meanwhile, PM Modi in his speech appealed for “badlaav [change]” instead of “badla [revenge]".
