‘Bengal Will Win Again’: Abhishek Banerjee Launches TMC Poll Campaign, Rakes Up SIR At First Rally | Politics News

Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 22:46 IST

Abhishek Banerjee targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the West Bengal SIR in his first election rally and said Mamata Banerjee may visit Delhi soon.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee addressing an election rally in South 24 Parganas. (PTI)

Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched the party’s election campaign with a scathing attack not only on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but also on the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Addressing his first election rally in South 24 Parganas, named “Rana Sankalp Sabha,” Banerjee said he had made the CEC understand “who the people of Bengal are.”

He also hinted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may travel to Delhi to protest against the Election Commission.

Referring to his interaction with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee said, “The day before yesterday, we visited ECI’s office in Delhi. I asked Gyanesh Kumar to publish the list of Bangladeshi whose names have been deleted. He couldn’t do it. Instead he was raising his finger towards me. You [Gyanesh Kumar] are nominated, we are elected.”

“Who are you being aggressive to? They thought leaders of AITC would go on the backfoot if they showed slight aggression. We have shown what it is the meaning of being a Bengali! Today, Abhishek Banerjee has gone, Mamata Banerjee will go too. Then who will save you?” he added.

This came after Abhishek Banerjee visited the Election Commission office in Delhi on December 25. According to the TMC MP, he had a verbal spat with the CEC during that visit. On Saturday, he sought to intensify pressure on the Election Commission by suggesting that Mamata Banerjee would travel to Delhi to protest against the EC along with common people.

BJP Hits Back At Abhishek Banerjee

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya refuted Abhishek Banerjee’s allegations and challenged him to file a case in the Supreme Court if there was any wrongdoing. He also claimed that the BJP office was vandalised and several party workers were attacked.

“The Election Commission is a constitutional institution. SIR is taking place in 12 states, but there is a ruckus about it in West Bengal only. The help desk of the BJP was demolished, and many officers were attacked,” Bhattacharya said in a press briefing.

“The doors of the Supreme Court are always open, but instead of knocking on the door, he either holds press conferences or makes such statements just to boost the morale of his workers a little. The public of the state, or even his constituency, does not at all relate to the statements made by Abhishek Banerjee,” he added.

He also mocked the TMC over their repeated promises to visit Delhi. “Let them (TMC workers) come to Delhi and enjoy the weather there. This will be an opportunity for political tourism, as well as entertainment for the workers,” he said.

Abhishek Banerjee’s Campaign

Friday’s rally marked the beginning of Abhishek Banerjee’s month-long campaign titled “Abar Jitbe Bangla” (Bengal Will Win Again). A notable feature of the first rally was the stage design, which was built as a ramp. Banerjee walked across the ramp to connect directly with the crowd.

The TMC made it clear from the outset that Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would be its main election issue in Bengal. Banerjee not only walked the ramp himself but also invited three individuals to walk with him, claiming their names appeared on the “dead voters” list under the SIR process.

Political observers say the TMC is attempting to make SIR the central election issue in West Bengal, which is why, along with the BJP, the party has been consistently targeting the Election Commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

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