Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has wrested control of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key state election that strengthens his position midway through his third term.
The result
The Election Commission of India's partial results showed the BJP winning at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly and leading in 83 others. The party was also expected to return to power in Assam for a third straight term.
Why it matters
West Bengal had long resisted the BJP, making the win symbolically significant. The outcome is expected to boost Modi's national standing and energise the party's organisation, which had invested heavily in the state ahead of the vote.
Opposition parties will face renewed questions about their strategy after losing a stronghold.
Sources: NPR, Al Jazeera.