From Pakistan, Bangladesh To US: How World Media Covered BJP's Historic Wins In Bengal And Assam

The high-stakes election results in India’s five states were declared on Monday, with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)- a party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing a thumping majority in two states- Assam and West Bengal. Although it was state elections, a purely internal democratic exercise, the victory was well covered by international media. Many reports highlighted the big victory of Bengal that ended incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. Some criticised and alleged the "misuse" of central forces in the Bengal elections, but majority of them stressed over the staggering popularity of 75-year-old Prime Minister. 

From London to New York, and from Islamabad to Dhaka, the media also gave a lot of attention to Tamil film star Vijay. His new party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which he started just two years ago, defeated the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu.

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(Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his supporters as he arrives at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters as the BJP won the Assam state assembly election | CREDIT: REUTERS)

How gloabal media covered Indian state elections 

Pakistan's Dawn: It reported that PM Modi’s party won a big victory in opposition-held West Bengal. The report said this will strengthen PM Modi’s position as he faces economic and foreign policy challenges ahead of the 2029 elections. Although the publication wasn't published in-house article, it prefered pushing AFP wire content to drive its agenda.

Bangladesh’s Dhaka Tribune: It highlighted the shock defeat of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who lost to a candidate from Joseph Vijay’s new party. Stalin’s DMK party finished a distant second.

BBC: It focused on the BJP’s win in West Bengal. In an article titled "Modi’s BJP conquers Bengal, one of India’s toughest political frontiers", it called the victory one of the most important achievements of PM Modi’s 12-year rule. The BBC said it marked the BJP’s strong entry into eastern India.

The Guardian: It also gave major space to the Bengal results. The article said the win in this former opposition stronghold will further strengthen Modi’s power across India and is a big blow to the weakened opposition.

New York Times: In its report titled "Modi’s Hindu Nationalists Conquer a Bastion of India’s Opposition", it described the BJP’s victory in West Bengal as historic. It also noted the surprise win of actor Joseph Vijay’s party in Tamil Nadu.

Washington Post: The newspaper said the West Bengal result will boost Modi’s position as he prepares for the 2029 general elections. It also reported that the Congress-led opposition defeated the communist government in Kerala.

Overall, foreign media saw the BJP’s win in West Bengal as a major political breakthrough for Prime Minister Modi.

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