West Bengal: the CPM years, 1977–2001
18 Assembly elections · 1951–2026 · every seat count and share is read from the official record.
West Bengal has voted in 18 Assembly elections between 1951 and 2026. Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been the largest party in 8 of them — more than any rival.
Power has changed hands 6 times. The steadiest run was Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s — the top party from 1977 to 2001 across 6 elections.
In 1977, Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke through — 178 of 294 seats — ending Indian National Congress's hold, which fell from 216 to 20.
In 2006, Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke through — 176 of 294 seats — ending Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s hold, which fell from 143 to 0.
In 2011, All India Trinamool Congress broke through — 184 of 294 seats — ending Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s hold, which fell from 176 to 0.
In 2026, Bharatiya Janata Party broke through — 208 of 294 seats — ending All India Trinamool Congress's hold, which fell from 215 to 80.
The sharpest single swing was 2006: Communist Party of India (Marxist) went from 0 to 176 seats, a gain of 176.
Indian National Congress's steepest fall came in 1977, from 216 seats to 20.
Most recently, in 2026, Bharatiya Janata Party holds 208 of 294 seats on 45.9% of the vote — a clear majority (148).
Pivotal elections
who held the house, seat by seat- INC11561%
- CPI2312%
- IND1910%
- KMPP116%
- Others1910%
Indian National Congress · 38.8% of the vote · majority
- CPIM17660%
- AITC3010%
- AIFB238%
- INC217%
- Others4415%
Communist Party of India (Marxist) · 37.1% of the vote · majority
- BJP20871%
- AITC8027%
- INC21%
- AJUP21%
- Others21%
Bharatiya Janata Party · 45.9% of the vote · majority
Every time power changed hands
- 1969CPM took the house with 80 of 280, ending INC’s run (127 → 55).
- 1972INC took the house with 216 of 280, ending CPM’s run (113 → 14).
- 1977CPM took the house with 178 of 294, ending INC’s run (216 → 20).
- 2006CPIM took the house with 176 of 294, ending CPM’s run (143 → 0).
- 2011AITC took the house with 184 of 294, ending CPIM’s run (176 → 0).
- 2026BJP took the house with 208 of 294, ending AITC’s run (215 → 80).
Party identity
renames, splits and mergers along the way- Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke away from Communist Party of India in 1964.
- Indian National Congress saw All India Trinamool Congress break away in 1998; saw Nationalist Congress Party break away in 1999; saw YSR Congress Party break away in 2011; saw NCO break away in 1969; saw INCU break away in 1979; saw ICS break away in 1978; saw BAC break away in 1966; saw UTC break away in 1969; saw HVP break away in 1996; saw AINRC break away in 2011; took in MSCP in 2014; took in ICS in 1986; took in NNO in 1976; took in HVP in 2004; took in VHP in 1978.
- All India Trinamool Congress broke away from Indian National Congress in 1998.
- Bharatiya Janata Party broke away from Janata Party in 1980.