Managed democracy, made in Bengal

Donald Trump’s White House spokesman delivered congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BJP’s victory in West Bengal’s state elections, describing it as a 'historic and decisive' win. The result marks a major shift for the BJP, which now governs 22 of India’s 28 states, covering 73% of the country’s geography and 78% of its population. Modi’s speech after the victory emphasized record voter turnout, framing the outcome as a triumph for India’s democracy, despite widespread skepticism. Critics argue the election exposed flaws in India’s democratic process, with the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) removing 91 lakh voter names—60 lakh marked as absentee or deceased, and 34 lakh unresolved, including 27 lakh excluded due to 'logical discrepancies.' The deletions disproportionately targeted Muslims and women, key supporters of the Trinamool Congress. Over 34 lakh voters were disenfranchised after failing verification, with courts citing time constraints as justification. The BJP’s victory margins in over 150 seats exceeded the number of deleted voters, with the party winning 100 of those seats compared to the Trinamool’s 48. The election followed allegations of corruption and intimidation against the Trinamool, while the BJP’s anti-Muslim rhetoric dominated the campaign. Media coverage largely ignored the voter exclusion issue, framing the result as a democratic triumph despite concerns over fairness. Modi’s tenure has seen a gradual erosion of civil liberties, minority rights, and institutional independence, with critics warning that West Bengal’s election signals the end of fair electoral processes. The BJP’s rise reflects its transformation from a regional party into a dominant national force, now controlling key states like Bengal despite its historically secular-leaning culture. The victory consolidates Modi’s influence, raising questions about the future of India’s democratic institutions.