West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee aims to secure over 215 of 294 assembly seats in the upcoming 2026 elections, seeking a fourth consecutive term for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). At a state conference, she emphasized the slogan “Khela Abar Hobe” (the game is on again) as she accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls with fake names. Banerjee plans to verify the electoral list rigorously and initiated a committee to oversee this. She also criticized the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging ties to the BJP, while emphasizing TMC’s strategy to fortify connections with voters and maintain party harmony.
Kolkata:
As preparations ramp up for the 2026 assembly elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced an ambitious objective of winning more than 215 of the 294 assembly seats to achieve a fourth consecutive term in office, while promising to significantly reduce the BJP’s seat count.
The TMC leader updated the party’s battle cry from the 2021 assembly elections, proclaiming: “Khela Abar Hobe” (the game is back on) for the upcoming elections.
During her address at the TMC’s state conference at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP, with the “assistance of the Election Commission,” of manipulating the electoral rolls by including fictitious voters from other states.
She cautioned that if remedial measures were not implemented, her party would initiate an indefinite dharna in front of the EC office.
“We will secure over 215 seats in the 2026 assembly polls and further reduce the BJP’s numbers. The BJP will face a decisive defeat. Khela Abar Hobe! The 2026 game must be approached with renewed enthusiasm and energy,” she stated, emphasizing her goal of winning a fourth consecutive term.
TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee voiced similar sentiments, urging party workers to strive for a resounding victory for the party.
“The fight for Bengal’s future has commenced. We must ensure TMC’s success and make Mamata Banerjee the chief minister for a fourth time. Our target is to secure a two-thirds majority in 2026,” Abhishek, who is also the TMC supremo’s nephew, expressed.
Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was trying to manipulate the electoral process by adding names of fictitious voters from other states, aided by the Election Commission.
“In Delhi and Maharashtra, the BJP won by including fake voters from Haryana and Gujarat. Now, they aim to replicate this in West Bengal. They are aware that they cannot win if the elections are conducted fairly,” she alleged.
During her speech, Mamata Banerjee displayed a list purportedly containing names of “fake voters.” “I have evidence from all districts. Look here. Names of individuals from Haryana and Gujarat are listed alongside West Bengal residents under the same EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card) numbers. Fake voters have been added online,” she claimed.
Mamata Banerjee instructed TMC leaders and workers to immediately start verifying the voter list at the booth level.
“District presidents should manage the verification process and report their findings within seven days,” the TMC chief stated.
She also assigned TMC state president Subrata Bakshi to lead a committee consisting of Abhishek Banerjee, MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, and other senior leaders to review the voter list across all blocks.
The verification process will begin on Friday and is to be completed within 10 days, Mamata Banerjee added.
“If I could undertake a 26-day hunger strike during the anti-land acquisition movement in 2006, we can certainly initiate a movement against the Election Commission, compelling them to restore democracy. If necessary, we will protest indefinitely in front of the EC office to demand the removal of fake names from the voter rolls,” she stated.
Mamata Banerjee also expressed concerns regarding the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner.
“I once held the Election Commission in high regard. But now, it appears to be filled with individuals aligned with the BJP. The new Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, previously served as secretary in the cooperation department under the Union Home Minister. It’s clear how the BJP is manipulating the voter list with the blessing of the EC,” she alleged.
Mamata Banerjee asserted that this is the tactic the BJP utilized to win in Maharashtra and Delhi.
“Now, after Maharashtra and Delhi, they are targeting West Bengal. We will counter strongly. Khela Abar Hobe (the game is back on). I urge workers to fight back even more vigorously this time. In Bengal, we will confront them directly. By 2027-2029, the BJP will be finished. They have only 2-3 years left,” she declared.
“Khela Hobe” (the game is on) was the rallying cry of the TMC during the intense 2021 assembly elections when the party triumphed over the BJP to reclaim power for the third consecutive term.
Outlining the TMC’s electoral strategy, Mamata Banerjee stated that the primary focus would be to clean up the voter list.
“The first task is to rectify the fraudulent voter lists. The second task is to build direct connections with the populace by visiting them at home. The third task is to strengthen the organization and maintain vigilance,” she noted.
The TMC chief urged party workers to monitor who is entering the region and to ensure no violence occurs.
“We must ensure our harmony is maintained and that no individual is mistreated. The fourth task will be to secure the BJP’s defeat. The BJP should not even match their previous seat count,” she remarked.
The BJP responded to Mamata Banerjee’s accusations, asserting that she was attempting to rally party workers out of fear of losing the elections.
“The entire world knows TMC for its expertise in electoral fraud and vote theft. Hindus in Bengal have united, which is why she is feeling threatened,” BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya stated.
The BJP won 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections, while the TMC secured 213 seats.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)