WEST BENGAL — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election in West Bengal on May 4. Suvendu Adhikari, a member of the BJP, became the new chief minister of West Bengal.

On May 5, Adhikari stated he would work for the Hindus who voted for him. In December, Adhikari called on India's Hindus to teach a Gaza-like lesson to everyone.

Dr. Z. Ayesha, a social activist in Kolkata, stated, "Hence, their victory has evoked (reasonable) fear and (justified) unrest in them." She said, "After the declaration of the election results, so many untoward incidents have taken place targeting Muslims in the state."

Ayesha stated, "The chief minister's remarks deeply reflect his biased mindset and arouses justifiable anxiety and fear in the minorities of this state." She also noted that after an intensive revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India flagged, removed, or scrutinized over 9 million names in West Bengal, "so many rightful names were deleted from it, they were in great distress and turmoil thinking about the future."

Journalist and author Snigdhendu Bhattacharya, based in Kolkata, commented on border issues. Bhattacharya noted that the BJP had blamed former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for blocking the Teesta Water Treaty since 2014. Bhattacharya said, "But now BJP itself cannot agree on this treaty because it will upset their own voters in North Bengal."

Adhikari announced in May that land would be transferred to the Border Security Force within 45 days to construct a fence along the border with Bangladesh. Bhattacharya said Adhikari expressed support for returning people to Bangladesh rather than placing them in detention centers. Bhattacharya stated, "So these statements show that pushbacks from India will increase."

Bhattacharya said, "The last few days, tensions on the border have increased, with India pushing people into Bangladesh, and Bangladesh refusing to accept them." He added, "Many were stuck in no man's land."

Why It Matters

The election of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal is notable given Adhikari's past statements regarding Hindu voters and his calls for a "Gaza-like lesson." West Bengal has a population exceeding 100 million people. The comments from a social activist about fear among minorities and a journalist reporting increased border tensions suggest potential impacts on social dynamics and regional relations after the change in leadership.