BJP eyes 'mega win' in Bengal, 'growth' in Kerala as vote counting begins
Synopsis
As votes are counted across five states, the BJP is projecting a 'mega win' in West Bengal — where a record 92.93% turnout electrified the contest — and meaningful 'growth' in Kerala, where no party has ever won three straight terms. The day's results could redraw India's political map.
Key Takeaways
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla projected a "mega win" in West Bengal and "growth" in Kerala as counting began on 4 May .
West Bengal recorded a record 92.93% voter turnout; counting covers 293 of 294 seats — Falta constituency re-polls on 21 May .
Exit polls project the BJP-led NDA winning 85–100 seats in Assam's 126-member Assembly, potentially a hat-trick.
Tamil Nadu saw a record 85.1% turnout, with actor Vijay's TVK disrupting the traditional DMK-AIADMK contest.
In Kerala , the LDF under Pinarayi Vijayan seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term; UDF projected near 72 seats in the 140-member House.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 4 May expressed confidence in securing victories across five states and one Union Territory as vote counting got underway for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry. The party projected a "mega win" in West Bengal and significant "growth" in Kerala, with final results expected by end of day.
What the BJP Said
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, speaking to IANS, framed the day's results around an acronym he called a "GRWM" moment — borrowing from a popular Instagram trend. "In Kerala, the BJP will see growth. In Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, we will make a strong return. In Assam, we will come back in a very big way. And in West Bengal, with 'M' there will be a mega win for us, where a new history will be created," Poonawalla said.
He also took aim at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of levelling pre-emptive allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and central security forces. "I would call this a 'pre-poll Bahana' (PPB). Rahul Gandhi does the same when he feels he is going to lose an election... Mamata Banerjee has also started giving such excuses because she knows what the results will be," Poonawalla added. He predicted she would "have to accept that the BJP is winning the elections."
West Bengal: Record Turnout, Partial Count
West Bengal recorded a historic voter turnout of 92.93 per cent, the highest in recent memory. However, counting on Monday covers only 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies. The ECI had on Saturday ordered a re-poll for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on 21 May, with results for that seat to be declared on 24 May.
Assam: NDA Poised for Hat-Trick
In the Northeast, Assam presents a picture of consolidation for the ruling alliance. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), steered by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, appears positioned to secure a third consecutive term. Exit polls projected the NDA winning between 85 and 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly — a result that would represent a decisive mandate.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala: Competitive Contests
Tamil Nadu recorded an 85.1 per cent voter turnout, itself a record-breaking figure. The traditionally bipolar contest between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been complicated by the entry of actor Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), adding a new variable to the state's political arithmetic.
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting a historic third consecutive term — a feat no political formation has achieved in the state's modern electoral history. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is projected to hover around the 72-seat mark in the 140-member House, pointing to a tight contest. The BJP's stated ambition of meaningful "growth" in the state would mark a significant departure from its historically marginal presence in Kerala.
With counting progressing through multiple rounds, the final picture across all five states is expected to crystallise by evening.
Point of View
But the West Bengal contest is genuinely high-stakes — a state the party has aggressively targeted for years without a breakthrough. A 'mega win' there would be transformative for national politics; a loss would raise hard questions about the limits of centralised campaign machinery against entrenched regional identity politics. In Kerala, 'growth' is a carefully calibrated word: even a handful of seats would be framed as a historic foothold. Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-ECI friction points to a deeper pattern of institutional trust erosion that no result will fully resolve.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla predict for the 2021 Assembly election results?
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla predicted a 'mega win' for the party in West Bengal and significant 'growth' in Kerala, while also projecting strong returns in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. He made these remarks while speaking to IANS on counting day, 4 May.
Why is only 293 of 294 West Bengal seats being counted on 4 May?
The Election Commission of India ordered a re-poll for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on 21 May, after irregularities were reported. Results for that seat will be declared separately on 24 May.
What did exit polls project for Assam?
Exit polls projected the BJP-led NDA, steered by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, winning between 85 and 100 seats in Assam's 126-member Assembly — enough for a third consecutive term in the state.
Why is Kerala's election historically significant?
The Left Democratic Front under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting to win a third consecutive term, a feat no political formation has achieved in Kerala's modern electoral history. The Congress-led UDF is projected near 72 seats in the 140-member House, making it a close contest.
Why did Poonawalla criticise Mamata Banerjee on counting day?
Poonawalla accused Mamata Banerjee of making pre-emptive allegations against the ECI and central security forces, calling it a 'pre-poll Bahana' — a tactic he claimed she and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resort to when anticipating electoral defeat.
