The election results in West Bengal have been declared. Leveraging communal polarisation, immense financial power and administrative manoeuvring, the BJP is set to form the government by capitalising on the boundless public anger against the TMC regime. Following a preliminary analysis of the overall situation, Md Salim, the State Secretary of the CPI(M) West Bengal State Committee, has issued the following statement.

THE results of the West Bengal Assembly elections clearly indicate that the people have mandated against the TMC’s limitless corruption, autocratic rule, and misgovernance. The citizens of the state sought the downfall of the TMC government, and the BJP has reaped the benefits of this public anger.

During this election, an atmosphere of fear was systematically created through the SIR process under the Election Commission’s supervision—resulting in the deletion of lakhs of voters' names—the deployment of various central agencies, the massive influx of central forces, and provocative rhetoric from the Prime Minister and other central ministers. Simultaneously, a campaign of communal polarisation was orchestrated by the ruling parties at both the Centre and the State, which the BJP further exploited. In this election, a broader Left unity was forged with the ISF as an ally; however, despite our sincere efforts, the failure to reach an understanding with the Congress allowed the BJP to occupy the space of the primary alternative to the TMC.

Based on national experience, we know that the BJP is an autocratic and anti-democratic party. The people of this state must remain prepared to struggle against their anti-people and anti-democratic measures.

After a significant hiatus, there will once again be Left MLAs in the State Assembly. The CPI(M) remains committed to continuing movements both inside and outside the Assembly in the interest of the public. Leftist workers will stand by the people regardless of the circumstances.

We call upon all political parties and the administration to ensure that no environment of political violence or unrest is created post-election. Any attempt to use such unrest for communal polarisation must be resisted. The rule of law must be strictly upheld in the state.