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Shortly after the Bihar outcome, the BJP posted on X a confident two-word message, “Next West Bengal”.
BJP Eyes Bengal After Bihar Win; TMC Says Battle Will Be Different
As the West Bengal Assembly elections approach next year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its political messaging, buoyed by its significant victory in Bihar. The result has energised the party, which is now openly declaring its ambition to dethrone Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal next year.
Shortly after the Bihar outcome, the BJP posted on X a confident two-word message, “Next West Bengal”.
TMC: ‘Bengal is not Bihar’
The TMC, however, remains unfazed. Senior leader Kunal Ghosh hit back with a sharp message on X, invoking a Bengali proverb to dismiss the BJP’s ambitions.
“In Bihar, the NDA may be advancing, but in Bengal they will fall behind even more. They should remember: what use is a ripe bel fruit to a crow?”, reads Ghosh’s post.
The proverb implies that favourable circumstances are meaningless if they bring no benefit to the one concerned, suggesting that the BJP’s Bihar victory will not translate into success in Bengal.
Ghosh added that Bengal is a different political landscape, where the BJP has repeatedly failed to win people’s trust.
“Some BJP leaders are trying to create a narrative that they will win Bengal next year. My request is simple, don’t compare Bengal with Bihar. The BJP’s victory in Bihar will have no influence here; Bengal is a different land. Bring SIR or anything else, it won’t work. You may conspire against Bengal, but Mamata Banerjee will answer you,” Ghosh said.
He asserted that Mamata Banerjee’s TMC would return to power with a full majority next year, retaining its stronghold.
Dream on. 😉 https://t.co/Zmu4dzhGtp pic.twitter.com/5K98JzdQHy— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 14, 2025
BJP: ‘After Bihar, we will win Bengal’
Within the BJP, the Bihar win has sparked renewed enthusiasm. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said the people of Bihar had voted for “peace and development” and reaffirmed their trust in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed confidence that a similar mandate awaited the BJP in West Bengal.
Singh stated, “After Bihar, we are going to win West Bengal also.”
This sentiment reflects the larger BJP strategy of treating Bengal as the next major battleground, particularly after significant gains in the state in recent years.
SP calls Bihar mandate a ‘conspiracy’
INDIA Bloc partners have reacted sharply to the Bihar verdict. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav described the result as a “conspiracy”, alleging that the BJP-led NDA used irregular methods to secure victory. In a post on X, Yadav said, “The game that SIR played in Bihar will no longer be possible in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, UP, and other places now because this electoral conspiracy has been exposed.”
He said “PPTV” or “PDA Sentinel”, would keep watch on BJP like CCTV and prevent the BJP from “deceiving” voters. Yadav added, “BJP is not a party, it is deceit.”
Congress slams EC
As trends showed the NDA ahead in Bihar earlier today, Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the Election Commission’s conduct was under scrutiny.
He said, “This is just the beginning, and we are waiting. The trends show Gyanesh Kumar Gupta is making an impact on the people of Bihar… This contest is between the Election Commission of India and the people of Bihar.”
Khera added that Gupta was “writing a book for PM Modi”, suggesting undue influence over the electoral process.
West Bengal is poised to become the most closely watched electoral contest next year.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Delhi, India, India
November 14, 2025, 14:02 IST
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