The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (May 8, 2026) called Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut the “joker of Indian politics" over his post addressed to the U.S. President Donald Trump on the West Bengal Assembly election results, and accused the Opposition of "besmirching" India's image internationally.

In a post on X addressed to Mr. Trump, Mr. Raut on Friday (May 8, 2026) questioned reports of the U.S. President congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BJP's victory in West Bengal and said the polls are an "internal matter of India's federal democracy" and any external endorsement appears premature and misplaced.

The Rajya Sabha MP claimed that "serious concerns" have emerged regarding the conduct of the elections and alleged that there were complaints of "fear, intimidation and systemic pressure." Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that Mr. Raut, as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, makes such statements in opposition to Mr. Modi.

"Sanjay Raut is the joker of Indian politics. He and Rahul Gandhi have taken a 'supari' (contract) to besmirch India's image for domestic political petty battles and in Modi's opposition they oppose the country," Mr. Poonawalla said in a video post on X.

The BJP leader said India's democracy is being praised globally, but Opposition leaders are spreading what he called false narratives over electoral processes.

"Indian democracy is being hailed across the world and this man is complaining about India on facts which are not even there," he said.

Referring to the BJP's performance in the West Bengal Assembly polls, Mr. Poonawalla said people across the world are reacting to the result and claimed reports suggested Mr. Trump has also congratulated the BJP.

"Apparently it is reported that Trump has also congratulated the BJP for this victory. Sanjay Raut gets so perturbed that he writes a long post on X explaining to Donald Trump how elections are rigged and everything is unfair," he said.

Mr. Poonawalla alleged that the Opposition parties repeatedly question constitutional institutions whenever election results do not go in their favour.

Earlier, in his post, Mr. Raut also alleged that "the Election Commission did not act impartially" and claimed that its functioning appeared to favour the BJP, which raised "questions about institutional neutrality". He also questioned the deployment of Central forces during the polls and alleged that it had created "coercion rather than confidence". Citing concerns raised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, Mr. Raut said allegations regarding the fairness of the process reflect a "broader unease" that cannot be ignored.

"Democracy is not just about elections — it is about ensuring they are free, fair and credible. When serious allegations arise, they warrant scrutiny, not celebration," Mr. Raut said in his post, seeking a more balanced view from Mr. Trump.