Dharmendra Pradhan: NDA win in 3 states a responsibility, not achievement
Synopsis
Dharmendra Pradhan's post-election statement was less a victory lap and more a calibrated message of accountability — framing NDA's majority in three of five states not as triumph but as growing responsibility. His sharp rebuttal of Mamata Banerjee's ECI allegation signals the BJP is in no mood to cede the narrative in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed Assembly election results across five states on Monday .
The NDA and BJP are forming majority governments in three states — West Bengal , Assam , and Puducherry .
Pradhan attributed the wins to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the party's people-centric policies.
He described the results as a responsibility , noting NDA governs more than 22 states across three consecutive terms.
Pradhan dismissed Mamata Banerjee's allegation of ECI bias as "the language of frustration and defeat."
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday welcomed the outcome of Assembly elections across five states, saying the results reflect the people's faith in democracy while placing greater responsibility on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Reacting to poll result trends, Pradhan expressed gratitude to voters and said their participation strengthens the democratic framework of the country.
NDA Forms Majority Governments in Three States
Highlighting the alliance's performance, Pradhan said it was a matter of satisfaction that the NDA and the BJP are forming majority governments in three of the five states. "Our governments are being formed in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, so this is indeed a satisfying development," he told IANS.
He attributed the electoral success to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party's policy approach. "Under the leadership of PM Modi and due to the BJP's consistently popular and people-centric policies, people have shown their trust. For several years, there was an atmosphere of fear and terror in Bengal, and people have voted against that," Pradhan added.
A Call for Greater Accountability
The Union Minister was quick to underline that the poll results should not be seen merely as an achievement. "I do not consider this an achievement; I see it as a responsibility. In a democracy, when people repeatedly place their trust, today, in more than 22 states, NDA and BJP governments are in power. For three consecutive terms, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we have been serving the nation. So, our responsibility increases," he said.
Pradhan's remarks signal a deliberate attempt by the BJP's leadership to project humility alongside electoral confidence — a framing consistent with the party's communication strategy after major victories.
Pradhan Dismisses Mamata's ECI Allegation
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegation that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had favoured the BJP during the election process, Pradhan dismissed the claim as a reaction born of defeat. "This is the language of frustration and defeat. If Mamata Banerjee has faith in the constitutional system and morality, she should accept the defeat gracefully. The people have already rejected her," he said.
This comes amid a broader pattern of opposition parties raising concerns about the ECI's neutrality in recent election cycles — allegations the Commission and the ruling party have consistently denied.
What the Results Signal
The NDA's showing across the five states consolidates the alliance's footprint to more than 22 states, reinforcing its position as the dominant political force at both the national and sub-national levels. For the BJP, the reported win in West Bengal — if confirmed — would mark a historic breakthrough in a state that has long been governed by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
With responsibility now cited as the governing theme, attention will turn to whether the newly formed NDA state governments deliver on the people-centric policy agenda Pradhan invoked in his remarks.
Point of View
But it carries real political weight when the party now governs over 22 states. The more consequential claim is the reported breakthrough in West Bengal — if it holds, it ends decades of TMC and Left dominance and reshapes the BJP's national coalition calculus. Mamata Banerjee's ECI allegation, swiftly batted away, reflects a deeper crisis of opposition credibility: when institutional blame becomes the default post-defeat response, it risks normalising distrust in democratic processes rather than forcing genuine introspection. The real test for the NDA's expanded mandate is governance delivery, not messaging.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dharmendra Pradhan say about the Assembly election results?
Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the results, saying the NDA and BJP are forming majority governments in three of the five states — West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry. He called the outcome a responsibility rather than an achievement, citing the party's growing presence in over 22 states.
In which states is the NDA forming a government after these elections?
According to Pradhan, the NDA and BJP are forming majority governments in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry. These are three of the five states that went to Assembly polls.
What did Pradhan say about Mamata Banerjee's allegations against the Election Commission?
Pradhan dismissed Mamata Banerjee's allegation that the Election Commission of India favoured the BJP, calling it 'the language of frustration and defeat.' He said she should accept the defeat gracefully if she has faith in the constitutional system.
How did Pradhan explain the BJP's electoral success?
Pradhan attributed the wins to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the BJP's people-centric policies. He also pointed to voter discontent over what he described as 'an atmosphere of fear and terror' in Bengal under the previous government.
What is the significance of NDA governing over 22 states?
Pradhan noted that NDA and BJP governments are currently in power in more than 22 states, reinforcing the alliance's position as the dominant political force in India across three consecutive terms under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.
