Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of stealing the mandate in the 2026 West Bengal and Assam assembly elections, claiming the results undermined Indian democracy. In a post on X on May 5, 2026, Gandhi described the BJP's victory as a 'theft' of the people's verdict and warned of broader democratic erosion.

He expressed support for the Trinamool Congress, which was unseated in West Bengal, and urged political actors not to indulge in schadenfreude over its defeat. Gandhi emphasized the need for unity among opposition forces amid the electoral setback.

The Congress party has not issued an official statement beyond Gandhi's post, while the BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Political activity in both states is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as new governments are formed. The Election Commission has not reported any irregularities that would alter the outcome.