BJP leads 200+ seats in Bengal; Sanghavi says 'jungle raj' era over
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Monday, 4 May declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s electoral performance in West Bengal marked a turning point in governance, as counting trends showed the party leading in more than 200 of 294 assembly seats, moving towards a majority. Speaking at the BJP state headquarters in Gandhinagar, Sanghavi said citizens of Bengal had been freed from what he termed "jungle raj" and would now benefit from Central government schemes.
What Sanghavi Said
Addressing party workers and leaders, Sanghavi stated, "Citizens of Bengal have today been freed from jungle raj, and now the benefits of schemes of the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the last person." He added that the result would open "new avenues of development and employment" and ensure Central schemes reach wider sections of the population.
Election Trends and Voter Turnout
According to counting trends, the BJP was leading in over 200 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, while the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) trailed behind. The election recorded a voter turnout of over 92 per cent, reportedly one of the highest in the state's history. Sanghavi also pointed to the party's performance in Assam, where trends indicated the BJP was set to form the government for a third consecutive term. "The victory is a major transformation in the politics of the country," he said, thanking voters for their support.
Gujarat Leaders Celebrate
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma were among those present at the celebrations. The event featured chanting, music, distribution of sweets, and a stall serving jhalmuri. Sanghavi paid tribute to party workers and their families, crediting their "sustained efforts and sacrifices" for the outcome.
BJP Wins Umreth By-Election in Gujarat
Separately, the BJP secured a decisive victory in the Umreth Assembly by-election in Anand district, Gujarat. BJP candidate Harshad Parmar won by a margin of more than 30,000 votes after 23 rounds of counting. The bypoll, held on 23 April, was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA Govind Parmar. Voter turnout in the constituency stood at approximately 54.4 per cent, reflecting moderate participation. With results across multiple states consolidating, the BJP's national footprint appears to be widening ahead of future electoral cycles.