BJP storms West Bengal, ends Trinamool rule; Mamata loses Bhabanipur seat

 Incidents of vandalism targeting Trinamool Congress offices were reported across the state 

Kolkata: The BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal, marking a historic breakthrough in a state long dominated by the Trinamool Congress. In a setback for Mamata Banerjee, she also lost her Bhabanipur seat to her former aide Suvendu Adhikari, now a BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

The BJP secured 206 of the 294 seats, while the Trinamool managed 81.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the victory had freed Bengal from fear and would pave the way for development. Banerjee, who has been chief minister since 2011, alleged “loot of seats” in the election.

The polls were held after a controversial revision of electoral rolls that saw the removal of around 90 lakh voters.

Meanwhile, incidents of vandalism targeting Trinamool Congress offices were reported across the state as BJP supporters celebrated the sweeping win. Police said offices in areas including Tollygunge, Baruipur, Kamarhati, Baranagar, Baharampur, Howrah, and Kasba were attacked.

In Tollygunge’s Bijoygarh-Netajjnagar area, the election office of TMC candidate and former minister Aroop Biswas was damaged by a mob. At Ruby Crossing, the office of TMC councillor Sushanta Ghosh was also ransacked by a group carrying BJP flags.

The Trinamool condemned the violence, accusing the BJP of unleashing chaos and calling it evidence of the party’s “true colours” after coming to power.