BJP surges in Bengal’s Muslim-Majority Seats: A Game-Changer in the 2026 Elections

While Muslim voters in some parts of South Bengal and Cooch Behar still lean toward the TMC, the once-solid support base for Mamata Banerjee’s party seems to be fraying.

BJP win in Bengal

New Delhi: As the results of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections are being declared today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has surprised many by making significant gains in Muslim-majority constituencies. By 12:00 PM, BJP is leading with 185 seats, while Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) is trailing with 99 seats, and other parties hold 6 seats. This shift marks a notable change in the political landscape, particularly in constituencies with a substantial Muslim population, which have historically been a stronghold for the TMC.

Key Developments in Muslim-Majority Constituencies

• Murshidabad: BJP’s Gouri Shankar Ghosh is leading by 35,732 votes, with TMC’s Shaoni Singha Roy trailing by 22,183 votes.
• Habibpur: BJP candidate Joyel Murmu holds a lead of 28,580 votes, while TMC’s Amal Kisku is behind with 15,112 votes.
• Manbazar: BJP’s Mayna Murmu is in the lead with 14,049 votes, while TMC’s Sandhya Rani Tudu lags by 1,343 votes.
• Alipurduar: In this Muslim-majority area, BJP’s Paritosh Das is leading by 27,075 votes, leaving TMC’s Suman Kanjilal far behind with 11,563 votes.

BJP's Momentum in South Bengal: A New Trend?

BJP's increasing presence in traditionally TMC-strong Muslim-majority districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur has raised eyebrows. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, claims that a division of Muslim votes in South Bengal is benefiting the BJP, which had previously struggled to make inroads in these areas. In the 2021 and 2024 elections, 90–95% of Muslim voters had sided with the TMC, but the situation seems to be shifting.

The Role of the Voter List Revision

A key factor behind the BJP’s success could be the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, which led to the removal of many names from the rolls, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. This change appears to be working in favor of the BJP, as they have gained traction in regions where TMC’s dominance used to be unchallenged.

The Bigger Picture

While Muslim voters in some parts of South Bengal and Cooch Behar still lean toward the TMC, the once-solid support base for Mamata Banerjee’s party seems to be fraying. Current trends suggest that the BJP is not only strengthening its hold in North Bengal but is also outpacing expectations in South Bengal, setting the stage for a more competitive election outcome.

With the election outcome still unfolding, all eyes are on whether the BJP can maintain this momentum and form the next government in Bengal, where voting took place in two phases: April 23 and April 29, 2026. Despite this political shift, the overall voter turnout has been impressive, hitting a record 90%.