1977 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election

The 1977 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election was held in West Bengal, India, from March 28 to April 1, 1977, marking a significant political shift in the state. This election was conducted under the backdrop of the Emergency imposed by the Indian government from 1975 to 1977, which had drastically curtailed civil liberties and political participation. The election was notable for the substantial defeat of the ruling Indian National Congress party, which had dominated West Bengal politics for over three decades. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), leading the Left Front coalition, emerged victorious, securing a majority with 169 out of 294 seats. The election results signified a transformative phase in West Bengal's political landscape, establishing a robust leftist government that would influence state politics for decades to come.