At least four people have been killed in political violence following the conclusion of state elections in India’s West Bengal, according to police and party officials, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a landmark victory in the region.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP won 206 out of 294 assembly seats in the eastern state, marking its first-ever government formation in West Bengal. The result is being viewed as a major political breakthrough for the party in a state long dominated by regional politics.
West Bengal had been governed since 2011 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), who also reportedly lost her own electoral seat. Banerjee has rejected the election outcome, adding to already heightened tensions in the state.
Violence broke out shortly after results were announced, with clashes reported between rival political supporters in Kolkata and other parts of the state. Police confirmed four deaths linked to the unrest, while one police officer was reportedly shot in the leg during the disturbances.
The BJP claimed that two of its party workers were killed in the post-election clashes. State BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said the party condemned violence and called for peace.
Meanwhile, the TMC said two of its own workers were beaten to death and accused rival supporters of attacking party offices in several areas. TMC spokesperson Narendranath Chakraborty described the killings as politically motivated violence targeting grassroots workers.
Authorities have increased security deployment in sensitive areas to prevent further escalation. Police have not yet released full details regarding arrests or investigations into the incidents.
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Political violence has historically accompanied elections in parts of West Bengal, where intense rivalry between major parties often leads to clashes. Analysts say the BJP’s victory significantly reshapes India’s political landscape by expanding its influence into a major non-Hindi-speaking state. The unrest is expected to place additional pressure on authorities as the state transitions to a new government.