Amit Shah Declares BJP Will Form Governments — Union Home Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah made a bold political statement during his rally in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, asserting that the BJP would form governments in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in the 2026 Assembly elections. The declaration, delivered to a massive crowd, reflects the party’s growing ambition to expand its influence beyond its traditional Hindi heartland strongholds into the south and east of India — regions that have historically resisted BJP’s rise.
The rally, infused with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and adorned with saffron flags, highlighted the BJP’s intent to position itself as a pan-India party. Shah’s message was not only for Tamil Nadu but also for West Bengal, where the BJP has emerged as the principal challenger to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Amit Shah’s Madurai Rally: Setting the Tone for 2026
Addressing the people of Madurai, Amit Shah accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and the TMC in West Bengal of corruption, nepotism, and appeasement politics. He promised that the BJP would provide governance rooted in transparency, development, and cultural pride.
“In 2026, both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will see the dawn of change. The BJP will form governments in these two great states, and we will end the misrule of parties that have kept the people deprived of real progress,” Shah thundered from the stage.
The statement was met with applause from BJP cadres, who have been working to expand the party’s base in Tamil Nadu, a state long dominated by Dravidian parties, and in West Bengal, where BJP’s meteoric rise since 2019 has already shaken the TMC’s hegemony.
BJP’s Tamil Nadu Challenge
Tamil Nadu has historically been resistant to the BJP’s Hindutva-driven politics. The state’s politics are deeply influenced by Dravidian ideology, which prioritises social justice, linguistic pride, and opposition to imposition of Hindi. Since the late 1960s, power has alternated between the AIADMK and the DMK, leaving little room for national parties.
Despite these challenges, the BJP has made incremental gains:
- In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP struggled in Tamil Nadu, winning no seat.
- In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the BJP managed to secure 4 seats, in alliance with the AIADMK.
- The party has, however, been aggressively cultivating support among urban voters, religious communities, and youth, while attempting to leverage national issues like development and employment.
Shah’s declaration that the BJP will form the government in Tamil Nadu in 2026 is ambitious, but it signals the party’s long-term strategy: to present itself as a credible alternative to the entrenched DMK-AIADMK rivalry.
For official Tamil Nadu election updates, visit the Election Commission of India.
BJP’s West Bengal Push
In West Bengal, the BJP has already established itself as the main Opposition force.
- In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP stunned observers by winning 18 out of 42 seats in Bengal, its best-ever performance in the state.
- In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP won 77 seats, emerging as the primary challenger to Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, which retained power with 213 seats.
Amit Shah’s message in Madurai was also a signal to Bengal — that the BJP is not retreating after 2021, but doubling down for the 2026 battle.
Shah has previously accused the TMC of running a regime steeped in corruption, violence, and dynastic politics. The BJP has focused on issues such as infiltration across the Bangladesh border, law and order, and alleged appeasement of minority communities.
The party believes that by 2026, anti-incumbency against Mamata Banerjee could open the door for a BJP-led government.
Amit Shah Declares BJP Will Form Governments: The Pan-India Expansion Strategy
Amit Shah’s declaration reflects the BJP’s broader national strategy: to expand its dominance beyond northern and western India and establish roots in southern and eastern states.
- In the South: Apart from Karnataka, where the BJP has formed governments multiple times, the party has not been able to establish itself in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, or Telangana in a significant way.
- In the East: BJP has grown rapidly in Assam, Tripura, and Manipur, and it now seeks to replicate that success in Bengal.
Shah’s remarks in Madurai show that the BJP sees the 2026 Assembly elections as a crucial test of its ability to become truly pan-Indian.
Opposition Response
The DMK in Tamil Nadu dismissed Shah’s comments as political theatre. A senior DMK leader said: “The BJP has no cultural roots in Tamil Nadu. The people of this state will never accept communal politics. Amit Shah’s dreams are nothing but delusions.”
In Bengal, TMC leaders were equally scathing. A TMC spokesperson remarked: “The BJP tried everything in 2021 — money, muscle, and media — but the people of Bengal rejected them. They will reject them again in 2026. Bengal is not for sale.”
Both regional parties framed Shah’s declaration as a reflection of BJP’s desperation rather than strength.
Historical Context: BJP in Tamil Nadu and Bengal
- Tamil Nadu: The BJP’s history in Tamil Nadu has largely been tied to alliances with the AIADMK. Leaders like Jayalalithaa had at times supported the BJP at the national level, but the BJP never commanded independent strength in the state. The rise of regional Dravidian movements in the 20th century created a political culture resistant to national parties.
- West Bengal: The BJP was once a marginal player in Bengal, winning only 3 assembly seats in 2016. Its rise began with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which reflected growing discontent with the TMC. The 2021 Assembly elections entrenched BJP as the main opposition, though Mamata Banerjee retained power convincingly.
Shah’s remarks suggest that the BJP believes it can repeat its northeastern success story in Tamil Nadu and Bengal.
Electoral Math and 2026 Scenarios
- Tamil Nadu: For BJP to form a government, it would need to significantly expand its base among rural voters, OBC communities, and youth. Analysts suggest that alliances — either with AIADMK or new regional outfits — would be crucial.
- West Bengal: BJP would need to consolidate Hindu voters across districts, while countering the TMC’s dominance among minorities and rural women. The anti-incumbency factor in 2026 may play a crucial role.
The Election Commission of India will be key in overseeing free and fair elections in both states.
Broader Implications for 2026
- For BJP: Victory in Tamil Nadu or Bengal would mark a historic breakthrough, demonstrating the party’s ability to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries.
- For DMK and TMC: Retaining power would reinforce the strength of regional parties against national parties.
- For Indian Democracy: These battles highlight the tension between regional identities and national-level politics, shaping the future trajectory of India’s federal structure.
External References for Further Reading
- Election Commission of India – Official Website
- Government of Tamil Nadu – Official Portal
- Government of West Bengal – Official Portal
- Lok Sabha Election Results Data
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