Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shifted the political focus from Bihar to West Bengal after the NDA’s strong victory in the Bihar elections. Addressing BJP workers at the party’s Delhi headquarters, Modi said that the people of Bihar had opened the path for the BJP’s win in Bengal. He added that the party would work to remove what he called “jungle raj” from West Bengal.
His message has lifted the spirits of Bengal BJP leaders. Many said Modi’s statement has given them a clear direction for the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections. Senior leaders promised that they would work hard to defeat the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has been ruling the state for more than a decade.
BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar said that Bihar’s win was just the beginning and the next big goal was Bengal. Celebrations also erupted at the BJP’s Bengal offices, where workers distributed sweets and raised slogans of “Next is Bengal”. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari even held a victory rally inside the Assembly.
The TMC, however, strongly criticised the Prime Minister’s comments. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that Bengal is not facing jungle raj and accused the BJP of spreading false claims. He stated that the real law-and-order issues are happening in places like Hathras and Unnao. Another TMC minister, Chandrima Bhattacharya, said that Modi had insulted Bengal by stopping funds, especially those meant for women. She added that Bengal’s women would give a fitting reply in the coming elections.
BJP leaders, on the other hand, argued that the Bihar results prove the NDA’s strong governance. Bengal BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya said that people are now migrating out of Bengal due to poor administration. He said the party is confident that TMC’s rule will end soon.
According to party sources, senior BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav has already reached Kolkata to hold meetings with spokespersons and the core committee. The Bengal campaign plan is being finalised, and the party is preparing to go into “attack mode”.
Meanwhile, TMC leaders say that the Bihar results will not affect Bengal politics at all. They believe the issues and voter concerns in Bengal are completely different.
With both parties gearing up, political observers say the Bengal election race has officially begun.
