Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) is all set to return for a third term to West Bengal after defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Her party won as many as 195 seats, so far and leads in 21 others. But the firebrand leader lost her own seat in Nandigram to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Suvendu Adhikari, her former aide.
Mamata, however, can still be the chief minister. She would be required to contest election and become a member of the assembly within six months as per Article 163-164 of the Indian Constitution.
The chief minister is elected through a majority in the state legislative assembly. This is procedurally established by the vote of confidence in the legislative assembly, as suggested by the governor of the state who is the appointing authority. In case of Trinamool Congress, Mamata is the de facto head.
However, what Mamata chooses to do after losing Nandigram would be a thing to watch out for.
Also Read: West Bengal elections: Mamata loses in Nandigram
The BJP has, so far won 67 seats and leads in eight seats in what has turned out to be a bipolar contest.
Despite the defeat, Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP made substantial gains, making it the main opposition party as its tally in the state legislature went to nearly 80 seats from just three seats after the 2016 polls.
Modi, his colleagues and regional politicians campaigned aggressively in five state elections despite the pandemic. The results are seen as a test of the impact the pandemic's second wave is having on support for him and his right-wing BJP.
Mamata, a sharp critic of Modi, largely conducted a one-woman campaign to retain power by leading scores of public rallies.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee speaks to supporters gathered outside her home celebrating the party's results in the West Bengal legislative assembly election, in Kolkata on May 2, 2021 AFP
“It is a stupendous performance by Mamata Banerjee because Modi was determined to win Bengal, but it's clear that his entire political machinery and strategy was unable to defeat her,” said Diptendu Bhaskar, a political analyst in Kolkata.
BJP retains Assam
The BJP-led coalition is set to return to Assam for a second term with a clear majority in the Assembly.
In Puducherry, a small former French colony previously known as Pondicherry, the BJP was expected to come to power through an alliance amid efforts to increase its presence in the country's south, where it has been traditionally weak.
In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin’s DMK party will return to power after a decade by defeating the incumbent coalition that has the BJP as its national partner.
In Kerala, where the BJP until now has played only a bit part, a left-wing alliance retained power with a comfortable victory over a Congress-led coalition. For the first time since 1977, a government has been re-elected in the southern state.
Modi congratulates Mamata, Stalin, Pinarayi
Prime Minister Modi has congratulated Mamata for her resounding victory in the state. He says his central government will continue to extend support to the West Bengal government.
Modi also congratulated DMK chief MK Stalin and Pinarayi Vijayan for their win in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Mamata: It's the victory of India
Modi and his right-hand man, Home Minister Amit Shah, campaigned heavily in the state as they sought to end a decade of rule by the firebrand leader.
But as results started trickling, they showed Trinamool on course for a third term. Thousands of supporters took to the streets, despite a ban on celebrations due to the pandemic.
In a victory speech, she said West Bengal's “immediate challenge is to combat the Covid-19 and we are confident that we will win.”
“This victory has saved humanity, the people of India. It's the victory of India,” said Mamata.
