‘TMC’s vote share will shatter records’ says Abhishek Banerjee ahead of Bengal polls

Kolkata: Days ahead of the crucial 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee convened a closed-door strategy meeting with party workers on Tuesday to fine-tune the campaign.

Addressing party cadres, Banerjee struck a confident note, asserting that the Trinamool Congress is poised to return to power with a mandate bigger than its 2021 victory. He claimed that the party’s vote share would surpass all previous records, signalling strong public support despite an intense political contest.

Banerjee also launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India, alleging that it is functioning in favour of the BJP. He claimed that large sums of money have been used to create a perception that the BJP is gaining ground in the state. Raising concerns over the electoral roll, he alleged that around 27 lakh names have been removed, with a narrative being built that these were largely TMC supporters.

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Hitting back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his recent remarks warning “TMC goons” ahead of the first phase of polling on April 23, Banerjee accused him of attempting to intimidate voters. In a strong retort, he invoked Bengal’s history of resistance, questioning what he described as “outsiders” trying to influence the state’s electorate.

He further criticised the BJP-led central government over the arrest of I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel, alleging that central agencies are being used to pressure and target TMC leaders and affiliates. Banerjee, however, maintained that such actions would only strengthen the party’s resolve.

With polling scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and counting set for May 4, the political battle between the TMC and BJP has intensified, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral showdown in West Bengal.