By Mukesh 
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday (May 8, 2026) termed U.S. President Donald Trump’s congratulations to PM Narendra Modi over the West Bengal poll results “premature and misplaced”, asserting that State elections are an internal matter of India’s democracy.
In a post on X, where he tagged the U.S. President, Mr. Raut urged the latter to adopt a “more informed and balanced view” about the elections, claiming serious concerns have emerged that the polls were held amid an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and systemic pressure.
“As a Member of Parliament from India, I write in response to reports of your congratulations to PM Narendra Modi on the West Bengal Assembly election results. These are state-level elections — an internal matter of India’s federal democracy. Any external endorsement appears premature and misplaced,” Mr. Raut wrote.
– PTI