Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: A saffron storm has swept across West Bengal, blowing the Trinamool Congress away like a piece of straw. After 15 years, a change of guard has occurred once again; the BJP is now in power, commanding a majority of more than two-thirds. A political shift has taken place in the state. A "saffron storm" has risen (BJP News). Ownership of the tall, blue-and-white building in Howrah has changed hands. Mamata Banerjee faced protests when she visited the counting center in her own assembly constituency. Meanwhile, even as the vote counting was underway, an unprecedented scene unfolded at Nabanna. Both the interior and exterior of Nabanna were effectively blanketed under the security cover of central forces. Who is entering? Who is leaving? What do their bags contain? Permission to enter or exit is being granted only after a thorough inspection of everything. A saffron storm has swept across West Bengal, blowing the Trinamool Congress away like a piece of straw. After 15 years, a change of guard has occurred once again; the BJP is now in power, commanding a majority of more than two-thirds. After Kalinga and Anga, now comes Banga—the BJP has come to power in the state for the very first time. In her home turf of Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee was defeated by Suvendu Adhikari. Along with Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari also secured a victory in Nandigram. A total of 20 ministers were routed in the electoral battleground. Breaking their streak of zero seats, the CPI(M) and Congress have finally opened their accounts in the Legislative Assembly. The Prime Minister delivered a message of "future, not fear; change, not revenge." With the BJP on the throne, who will be the Chief Minister? Amidst such speculation, the election for the leader of the legislative party is scheduled for today. Either Amit Shah or Rajnath Singh is expected to attend the election of the legislative party leader.
Meanwhile, a repetition of the Nandigram outcome has occurred in Bhabanipur. Mamata Banerjee has been defeated by Suvendu Adhikari. The Trinamool supremo lost by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Suvendu Adhikari emerged victorious in Nandigram as well as in Bhabanipur.
However, the possibility that the BJP government will govern not from Nabanna, but from the Writers' Building, appears to be gaining momentum. Previously, on June 7, 2025, BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya had stated: "We will defeat the Trinamool; the Trinamool is on the verge of defeat; the Trinamool *will* be defeated. And in 2026, our Chief Minister will govern the state from the Writers' Building." On Monday, following the Trinamool's crushing defeat, numerous jubilant BJP workers were seen milling about in front of Nabanna, their faces smeared with saffron *abir*. However, only time will tell what the future holds.