‘Bengal Fed Up with TMC’: PM Modi Takes Direct Aim at Mamata After Maharashtra Win

'Bengal fed up with TMC': After Maha win, PM Modi guns for Mamata

“Bengal is fed up with TMC.”

Those five words—delivered with steely resolve by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a massive rally in Malda, West Bengal—have sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape. Coming just days after the BJP’s decisive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Modi’s message was clear: the party is shifting its full attention to dethroning Mamata Banerjee’s decade-long rule in Bengal .

This isn’t just campaign rhetoric. It’s a strategic escalation. With the 2026 panchayat and municipal elections on the horizon—and eyes already on the 2027 West Bengal Legislative Assembly polls—the BJP sees a window of opportunity. And they’re betting that public frustration over governance, law and order, and economic stagnation will fuel their rise.

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Modi’s Malda Rally: A Strategic Show of Force

Holding a rally in Malda—a region historically seen as a TMC stronghold but with growing communal and developmental tensions—was no accident. By choosing this location, PM Modi signaled that the BJP is ready to contest every inch of Bengal, not just urban centers like Kolkata or BJP-favorable districts like North Bengal.

Addressing a sea of saffron flags, Modi accused the TMC of “misrule, corruption, and betrayal of Bengal’s youth.” He highlighted issues like unemployment, lack of industrial investment, and alleged failures in women’s safety—themes that resonate deeply with younger voters and middle-class families .

Crucially, he framed the upcoming local elections not just as a civic contest, but as a “referendum on TMC’s arrogance.”

Why ‘Bengal Fed Up with TMC’ Is the New BJP Mantra

The phrase Bengal fed up with TMC is more than a slogan—it’s a carefully crafted narrative designed to tap into genuine public discontent. Over the past year, several incidents have fueled this sentiment:

  • Teacher recruitment scam: The Supreme Court’s scathing remarks on the TMC-led education department eroded trust in governance .
  • Violence in panchayat elections: Repeated clashes during local polls have raised serious questions about law and order.
  • Economic stagnation: Despite promises, Bengal lags behind peers like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in attracting manufacturing and tech investments .
  • Youth migration: A growing number of educated Bengalis are leaving the state for jobs elsewhere—a trend the BJP is highlighting relentlessly.

By amplifying these pain points, the BJP aims to position itself not as an outsider, but as Bengal’s rightful alternative.

Maharashtra Win as a Springboard for Bengal

The timing of Modi’s Bengal offensive is no coincidence. The BJP’s strong performance in Maharashtra—where it formed a stable government despite anti-incumbency waves—has injected fresh confidence into the party’s national strategy.

Analysts note that Maharashtra’s success demonstrates the BJP’s ability to retain power even in complex, multi-party states. Now, they’re applying those lessons to Bengal: focus on development, leverage central schemes like PM Awas Yojana, and aggressively counter TMC’s grassroots machinery with a mix of Hindutva and welfare populism .

As one BJP strategist put it, “If we can win in Mumbai, we can win in Malda.”

Mamata’s Response and TMC Counter-Narrative

Mamata Banerjee hasn’t stayed silent. In a swift rebuttal, she accused Modi of “importing Delhi’s politics” into Bengal and dismissed his claims as “desperate lies from a defeated mindset.”

The TMC is doubling down on its identity as Bengal’s cultural protector, warning against “outsider interference” and invoking the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. They’re also highlighting central fund delays and accusing the BJP of starving Bengal of resources .

But internal party sources admit the Maharashtra result has rattled them. There’s growing pressure within TMC ranks to address governance gaps before the 2026 civic polls become a referendum on their rule.

Ground Realities: Can BJP Really Challenge TMC in Its Backyard?

Despite the aggressive rhetoric, the BJP faces steep challenges:

  1. Organizational depth: TMC’s booth-level network remains far stronger than BJP’s in rural Bengal.
  2. Voter polarization: While BJP gains among Hindu voters, it struggles to make inroads with Muslims (who constitute ~27% of the population) and sections of SC/ST communities loyal to TMC.
  3. Leadership vacuum: Beyond Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP lacks a charismatic local face who can rival Mamata’s emotional connect with Bengalis.

Still, the BJP’s vote share has grown steadily—from 10% in 2011 to nearly 40% in 2021. If they can consolidate the anti-TMC vote, even without winning outright, they could force a hung assembly or weaken TMC’s mandate significantly.

What This Means for Bengal’s Political Future

The next 18 months will be critical. The 2026 panchayat and municipal elections are being treated as a semi-final before the 2027 state elections. For the BJP, every gram panchayat seat is a building block toward statewide dominance. For TMC, it’s about proving they still command the people’s mandate.

As [INTERNAL_LINK:bengal-elections-2027-preview] explores, the battle for Bengal isn’t just about parties—it’s about identity, development, and who gets to define the state’s future.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Bengal’s Political War

PM Modi’s declaration that Bengal fed up with TMC marks a turning point. It’s not just a campaign line—it’s a declaration of war on Mamata Banerjee’s political fortress. Fueled by momentum from Maharashtra and amplified by real governance concerns, the BJP is betting big on Bengal.

Whether this translates into electoral success remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the calm of TMC’s unchallenged rule is over. Bengal is now the new epicenter of India’s political battleground—and every citizen, voter, and leader will feel the tremors.

Sources

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