Indian democracy and recent state elections

In the 2021 state elections, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured a strong victory in West Bengal, winning 213

In the 2021 state elections, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured a strong victory in West Bengal, winning 213 seats in the 294-member assembly. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance was limited to just 77 seats.

However, in the 2026 state elections, reports suggest a dramatic political shift in West Bengal. The BJP is said to have made a strong comeback, securing 206 seats, while Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has been reduced to 81 seats. It is also claimed that Mamata Banerjee lost her traditional Bhabanipur seat by a margin of 15,000 votes to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
Following these results, various allegations and discussions have emerged. Some voices have claimed that the BJP, in cooperation with the Election Commission of India, removed nearly one crore votes under the name of “fake voter deletion.” However, it is clarified that the actual number of deleted votes was around 7.7 million, not 10 million. Before revision, 7.61 crore votes were registered, which were reduced to 6.82 crore after verification.
It is further alleged that illegal voter registrations were carried out in various constituencies, including cases involving migrants from East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh), deceased persons still appearing on voter lists, and other irregularities. These issues are said to have occurred under the supervision of the Election Commission of India, rather than any single political party.
Observers note that East and West Bengal remain closely connected, with large populations living near border areas. West Bengal has historically been more developed in terms of industry, employment, and economic opportunities compared to East Bengal (Bangladesh). However, Bangladesh’s economy saw relative stability under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while later political unrest reportedly affected its development trajectory.
The text also refers to political and social unrest in Bangladesh, mentioning student movements and allegations of violence that slowed economic progress. It suggests that recent political changes may have brought some stability, but long-term improvement will still take time.
In West Bengal politics, the decline of Mamata Banerjee and the TMC is linked to several factors, including unemployment, corruption, criminal politics, and incidents of violence. Reference is also made to cases of crime in major cities like Kolkata, which have influenced public sentiment.
Some political figures, including Asaduddin Owaisi and Humayun Kabir, are mentioned in the context of debates around Muslim representation and political narratives. It is argued that certain accusations against them are politically motivated, while others claim they have played roles in integrating Muslims into mainstream Indian politics.
The analysis also extends to other states such as Assam and Kerala. In Assam, it is noted that a significant number of elected Congress representatives are Muslims. In Kerala, it is highlighted that a large proportion of Congress legislators also belong to the Muslim community, despite Kerala being one of India’s most literate and developed states.
The Indian National Congress is described as maintaining its traditional political approach, while critics argue that it has increasingly relied on minority support bases in some regions. Meanwhile, the Communist parties, once strong in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, are said to have significantly declined and lost much of their influence.
A notable development mentioned is the rise of actor Joseph Vijay in Tamil Nadu politics. Within a short period, he is said to have gained massive popularity and successfully challenged both major regional parties. His emergence is described as a major political surprise, especially given his minority Christian background in a predominantly Hindu state.
Overall, the article presents a complex picture of Indian state elections, highlighting shifting political trends, electoral controversies, demographic influences, and the evolving nature of democracy across different states.