New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday linked the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) resounding win in Bihar to potential success in neighbouring West Bengal, saying the political “flow” from Bihar to Bengal mirrors the course of the Ganga.
“The river Ganga flows to Bengal via Bihar. And the victory in Bihar, like the river, has paved the way for our victory in Bengal,” PM Modi said during an address at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.
The NDA secured 202 of the 243 seats in Bihar, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party. Modi credited the party workers for the decisive mandate, saying, “Your hopes are my pledge and your dreams are my inspiration. For the BJP, the party workers are its strength.”
Referring to the decimation of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Modi urged the people of Bengal to “uproot Jungle Raj” from their state as well. “Not just in Bengal, this victory will inspire our workers in the south too,” he added.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari reinforced the party’s confidence, warning the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to “brace for the worst” and describing the upcoming elections in Bengal as a chance for a “spectacular” BJP win. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, invoking the party’s ‘Mission Bengal’ theme, said, “Now the time comes to clean up the jungles of Bengal.”
The TMC responded sharply on social media, posting an old video of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and warning the BJP against repeating its Bihar strategy in Bengal. The party’s post accused the BJP of slandering Bengal and asserted that the people of the state would “democratically crush your arrogance” in the 2026 elections.
Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed any connection between Bihar’s verdict and Bengal’s political dynamics, asserting, “That is Bihar’s equation. It has no connection with Bengal; with over 250 seats, Mamata Banerjee will become chief minister again.”
The exchange signals an early intensification of the political battle ahead of Bengal’s 2026 Assembly elections, with both parties staking claims and setting the narrative for the upcoming campaign.
