New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday acknowledged the electoral strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party, crediting its organisational machinery and campaign execution for the party’s sweeping victories in West Bengal and Assam.
Speaking to media, Tharoor said the BJP’s success reflects a highly structured and professional election strategy. He noted that the party has consistently demonstrated efficiency in managing campaigns, mobilising voters, and deploying resources. “They are extremely effective when it comes to conducting elections,” he remarked, adding that their organisational discipline and financial backing give them a clear advantage on the ground.
Without mincing words, Tharoor suggested that rival parties—including his own Indian National Congress—could draw lessons from the BJP’s election model, particularly in terms of planning, coordination, and execution.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “They (PM Modi and HM Amit Shah) have done a good job in Bengal and Assam and that’s partially because they are very good at conducting elections. They are professionally organised. They have strong… pic.twitter.com/VSP5s9VWDh
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2026
BJP’s Breakthrough in West Bengal
The BJP’s performance in West Bengal marked a watershed moment in the state’s political history. The party clinched a record 207 seats, ending the long-standing dominance of the All India Trinamool Congress, which was reduced to 80 seats after ruling for over a decade.
In a major upset, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, underscoring the scale of the political shift in the state.
Assam Delivers Third Term for BJP
In Assam, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retained power for a third consecutive term, comfortably crossing the majority mark in the 126-member Assembly. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP secured 82 seats.
Its alliance partners—the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front—added to the tally, reinforcing the NDA’s dominance in the state.
A Lesson in Political Strategy
Tharoor’s remarks stand out amid sharp political polarisation, as he openly recognised the BJP’s electoral capabilities. His comments highlight a broader debate within opposition circles about the need to recalibrate strategies in the face of the BJP’s expanding political footprint across states.
