KOLKATA - At least four people have been killed in political violence across West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) landslide victory in the state assembly elections, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accusing each other's workers of carrying out the attacks .
The violence erupted shortly after election results were announced on Monday, which saw the BJP secure 206 to 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's 15-year rule in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who led the state since 2011, lost her own seat in Bhabanipur to BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari .
4 K*lled in West Bengal Post-Election V*olence After Assembly Polls | Asia One News#India #WestBengal #Elections #ElectionResults #IndianPolitics #AsiaOne #AsiaOneNews pic.twitter.com/WEuiGWfVrl
- ASIA ONE NEWS (@AsiaOne_News) May 6, 2026
The Four Fatalities
According to police and party officials, the four deceased include two BJP workers and two TMC members :
Madhu Mondal (BJP worker): Killed in New Town, North 24 Parganas, allegedly by TMC workers following an argument when a BJP victory procession passed through the Bhalliguri area .
Yadav Bor "Jadab" Bar (BJP worker): Killed in Udaynarayanpur, Howrah. His wife alleged he was attacked while returning home after poll victory celebrations. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident .
Abir Sheikh (TMC worker): Killed in Nanoor, Birbhum. TMC supporters alleged he was hacked to death by BJP workers while returning home. TMC MLA-elect Bidhan Majhi blamed "BJP goons" for the attack, a charge the BJP has denied .
Biswajit Pattanaik (TMC worker): Killed in Beleghata, Kolkata. Family members alleged he was chased and murdered by a group of 10-12 people .
A police officer was also reportedly shot in the leg during the clashes .
Widespread Vandalism and Attacks
Beyond the fatalities, reports of TMC party offices being ransacked and set on fire have poured in from multiple locations across the state, including Tollygunge, Kasba, Baruipur, Kamarhati, Baranagar, Howrah, Berhampore, and Panihati . A former TMC councillor was allegedly assaulted in Howrah, and TMC candidates reported being manhandled while leaving counting centers, requiring CAPF escort .
The TMC also alleged that a party office in Hogg Market was vandalized using a bulldozer, and that offices in Jamuria and Siliguri were set on fire .
Political Reactions and Blame Game
The TMC has accused the BJP of orchestrating the violence as part of its "poriborton" (change) agenda. "The BJP has exposed its true face the moment it came to power. This destruction and deliberate attempt to create unrest is the real face of the BJP," the party wrote on X .
The BJP has rejected these allegations and appealed for calm. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya warned that any party worker found involved in violence would be expelled. "Post-poll violence will not be tolerated in any form. If anyone from our party is found involved, we will be compelled to remove them," he told reporters .
Bhattacharya also suggested that some incidents could be the result of internal rivalries within the TMC .
Election Commission Steps In
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has directed authorities to immediately arrest those involved in the violence and vandalism. He issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner, and district magistrates to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas .
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," an official quoted the CEC as saying .
Kolkata police have also appealed to citizens not to share misinformation on social media, warning that strict legal action will be taken against those spreading unverified posts .
Context: A Historic Election Result
The violence has overshadowed what is being described as a historic political shift in West Bengal. The BJP's victory is its first-ever in the state and one of its most significant electoral achievements since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was first elected in 2014, expanding the party's dominance beyond the Hindi-speaking heartland of north and central India .
The oath-taking ceremony for the new chief minister is scheduled for May 9 at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee in her own constituency, is widely considered the frontrunner for the position .
Looking Ahead
The Election Commission has decided to retain approximately 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the state until further orders to prevent further violence . The two-phase assembly elections held in April were described by police as "largely peaceful," with no casualties reported during the voting period - a stark contrast to previous election cycles .
As the state transitions to a new government, authorities face the urgent challenge of restoring calm and ensuring that the post-election violence does not escalate further.
