Washington, May 5: U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his “historic and decisive electoral victory” in West Bengal.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated, “Just last month, President Trump praised PM Modi over the phone, saying India is fortunate to have you as its leader. The President has congratulated Prime Minister Modi on this recent, historic, and decisive electoral victory.”
According to a report by The Washington Post, this victory marks the first time Modi’s party has gained control over West Bengal, a politically significant state that has long been dominated by Mamata Banerjee‘s Trinamool Congress.
This outcome ends Banerjee’s 15-year rule in the state and represents a significant political advantage for PM Modi, enhancing his stature.
Addressing supporters in New Delhi after the announcement of the victory, PM Modi described it as the beginning of a new era for the state. He stated that this mandate is a decisive step towards a fear-free, development-oriented, and trust-filled Bengal. PM Modi referenced the dreams of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, saying, “The decades-long wait has ended, and the people have given the BJP the opportunity to realize that vision.”
The BBC has termed this as PM Modi’s most challenging victory.
Analysts suggest that this result reflects both an anti-incumbency wave and the BJP’s more effective campaign. According to The Guardian, Rahul Verma from the Centre for Policy Research described it as the outcome of the party leadership’s “seven-year project.”
Verma noted, “The BJP has stood firm and organized in West Bengal. PM Modi is viewed as a charismatic leader there,” adding that “such a result would not have been possible without the unification of Hindu votes.”
The New York Times stated that West Bengal has long been a bastion of regional and leftist politics, making the BJP’s success indicative of a significant shift in India’s political landscape.