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From margins to majority: The BJP’s march to power in Bengal
The article traces the BJP's long ascent in West Bengal, from early electoral attempts to a decisive victory in 2026 and the formation of the state's first BJP government. It charts key milestones: 1982’s first contest, 2018 local polls, the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and the May 2026 victory and government formation.
Why It Matters
The development signals a major shift in West Bengal's political landscape, highlighting the BJP's expansion into a state long under Left and then Trinamool influence.
Timeline
6 Events
First BJP government in Bengal set to take office
May 9, 2026
The article states that West Bengal will get its first BJP government on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
BJP victory in West Bengal
May 4, 2026
The BJP achieved victory in West Bengal on May 4, 2026, establishing a majority in the state.
Rise by 2019 Lok Sabha election
2019
By the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's political relevance in West Bengal had grown, according to the article.
2018 local body polls mark a turning point
2018
The article notes that realignment began with the 2018 local body polls in West Bengal, signaling a shift in political dynamics.
BJP first contested West Bengal in 1982
1982
The BJP's first contest in West Bengal occurred in 1982, marking the start of its enduring political efforts in the state.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee's Bengal lineage and BJS founding
1953
Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder and long-time president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, led Bengal's Hindutva-linked politics until his death as a detainee in Kashmir in 1953.