Mamata Banerjee Confident of Fourth Term as Bengal Polls Battle Intensifies
Kolkata, February 17 2026 — With assembly elections approaching in West Bengal, political rhetoric is sharpening across party lines. Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong confidence that her party will secure a fourth consecutive term, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest in the state.
In a televised interview on Monday, Banerjee projected optimism about her party’s prospects, stating that the TMC would return to power with an even larger mandate. Her remarks come at a time when campaign activity is gathering pace and both the ruling party and the Opposition are intensifying outreach efforts across districts.
Allegations Over Electoral Roll Revision
A major focus of Banerjee’s comments was the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. She alleged irregularities in the process and accused authorities of arbitrary deletions affecting various communities.
According to the Chief Minister, names of voters — particularly women who changed their surnames after marriage, migrant workers temporarily residing outside the state, and members of specific social groups — were being removed on technical grounds. She claimed that Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Matuas, Kamtapuri groups, and minorities were disproportionately impacted.
“I raised several concerns during my meeting with the Election Commission,” Banerjee said, adding that representatives from affected communities had accompanied her. She alleged that their grievances were not adequately addressed.
Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of transferring officers without adequate consultation. She questioned how administrative continuity could be maintained if such changes continued during a politically sensitive period.
The ECI has not publicly responded to these specific allegations. In past elections, the poll body has maintained that voter list revisions are conducted in accordance with established procedures to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Attack on BJP and Centre-State Tensions
The Chief Minister also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of fostering a “destructive” political narrative in Bengal. She alleged that the BJP-led central government was exerting pressure on her administration by withholding funds and spreading misinformation.
Banerjee described what she termed “psychological pressure” on her government, arguing that despite being in power in the state, her party was being treated as if it were in Opposition due to Centre-State tensions.
The BJP has repeatedly countered such claims in previous exchanges, accusing the TMC government of administrative lapses and corruption. As of now, there has been no fresh official response from the BJP to her latest remarks.
Reflections on Political Journey
Beyond electoral strategy, Banerjee also reflected on her long political career. First elected to Parliament in 1984 at the age of 29, she became one of the youngest MPs at the time after defeating senior Left leader Somnath Chatterjee from the Jadavpur constituency.
She went on to serve multiple terms as an MP and later made history in 2011 by becoming West Bengal’s first woman Chief Minister, ending 34 years of Left Front rule. She spoke about her interactions with former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao, and V. P. Singh during her early parliamentary career.
Banerjee also shared personal recollections of meetings with former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. She claimed that in the later years of Basu’s life, he had expressed dissatisfaction with the government that succeeded him under Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. These remarks are likely to spark debate, given Basu’s stature in Bengal politics.
She further noted that despite facing political hostility during the Left Front era, she did not pursue retaliatory action after assuming office in 2011. “Political courtesy has declined,” she said, expressing concern over what she described as an atmosphere of surveillance and fear in contemporary politics.
Congress and Left Equation
Banerjee also commented on the Congress party’s announcement that it would not enter into a formal alliance with Left parties in the upcoming elections. She described the move as cosmetic, arguing that Congress and the Left had historically maintained tacit understandings in Bengal politics.
Her remarks suggest that the TMC is positioning itself as the principal alternative to the BJP, while simultaneously seeking to weaken any potential Opposition consolidation.
Electoral Stakes and the Road Ahead
West Bengal has remained a politically dynamic state, with sharp ideological divisions and high voter participation. The 2021 Assembly elections saw intense campaigning and national attention. As the next polls approach, issues such as governance, welfare schemes, Centre-State relations, and electoral integrity are expected to dominate discourse.
Banerjee’s confident assertion of a fourth term signals that the TMC plans to campaign aggressively on its record and regional identity narrative. Meanwhile, Opposition parties are likely to challenge her government on administrative performance and transparency.
With voter roll revisions underway and campaign rhetoric escalating, the coming months will be crucial in shaping public perception. Ultimately, the electorate’s response at the ballot box will determine whether the TMC secures another term or faces a significant political shift in Bengal’s evolving landscape.
