Dhaka, May 5 -- For years, West Bengal stood as a stubborn exception to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sweeping political rise.

Even as his party expanded across western and northeastern India, dismantling entrenched regional rivals, Bengal's distinct political culture and strong regional identity held firm.

That resistance collapsed on Monday.

In a landmark result, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged past Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC), winning over 200 assembly seats to form the state government for the first time.

With over 100 million people -- more than Germany's population -- the election carried national significance.

For Modi, it marks one of the most consequential victories of his 12-year rule, endi...