‘Put petty politics aside’: Why Rahul Gandhi cautioned Congressmen on celebrating TMC defeat in Bengal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has issued a cautionary message to party workers: the Trinamool Congress’s defeat in West Bengal is not a reason to celebrate, but a cause for concern.

Gandhi, who on Monday alleged that the BJP “stole” the elections in West Bengal and Assam, reiterated his claim, calling the poll results a major step forward in the saffron party’s alleged mission to “destroy” Indian democracy.

“Some in the Congress, and others, are gloating about TMC's loss. They need to understand this clearly— the theft of Assam and Bengal's mandate is a big step forward by the BJP in its mission to destroy Indian democracy,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

He urged party workers to “put petty politics aside”, stressing that the matter was not about one party or another, but about the future of India.

The BJP pulled off a landslide victory in West Bengal, winning 202 seats—more than a two-thirds majority—ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule and reshaping the state’s political landscape. 

Outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the BJP’s win as “immoral”, alleging that the mandate in over 100 constituencies was “looted.”

Echoing Banerjee’s concerns, Gandhi said, “We agree with Mamata ji. More than 100 seats were stolen in Bengal.”

Other Opposition leaders, including senior Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also raised questions over the West Bengal election results.