Asianet Newsable

Bomb Scare in Bengal: Live Explosives Found in Murshidabad Field

Divya Danu — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:50:39 +0530

A major security alert was triggered in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Monday morning after a bag filled with live crude bombs was found abandoned in an agricultural field. The discovery has raised serious concerns over law and order ahead of the upcoming elections in the politically sensitive border district.

Midnapore, West Bengal: On Socket bomb recovered in Murshidabad, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh says, "Murshidabad is a hub for bombs and guns. These items come from outside and are also sent to Bangladesh from here. There are large factories and big warehouses where guns are stored. The… pic.twitter.com/RpFBSo8GS4

— IANS (@ians_india) November 10, 2025

Bag of bombs found near a culvert

According to the police, the bag was spotted near a culvert following a late-night tip-off on Sunday. Officers immediately reached the spot, cordoned off the area, and called in a Bomb Disposal Squad to handle the explosives. The bombs were to be safely defused later in the day. “The area has been sealed off and an investigation has been started to find out who kept the bombs there and for what purpose,” India Today quoted a senior police officer. The discovery has led to heightened surveillance and patrolling across the district.

History of similar recoveries during polls

Officials noted that Murshidabad has a history of crude bomb recoveries, especially during election periods. In 2021, around 60 crude bombs were found in the district ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Similarly, in 2023, during the Panchayat polls, several bombs were recovered near a Congress candidate’s residence, sparking accusations of political intimidation and attempts to create fear among voters. Murshidabad has also witnessed frequent incidents of poll-related violence. During the 2023 Panchayat elections, over 40 people were killed across the state in violent clashes, with Murshidabad among the worst affected districts. In 2016, a CPI(M) polling agent was killed in Domkal after being attacked with crude bombs.

Police increase vigilance ahead of elections

Authorities said that strict security measures have now been implemented across Murshidabad. Additional police patrols have been deployed, and teams have been instructed to maintain close watch on suspicious movements. Police officers have also cited the district’s proximity to the India-Bangladesh border as a cause for concern, noting that this makes the area vulnerable to illegal smuggling of arms and explosives. Crude bombs, which are locally made and highly dangerous, are often used in political clashes and local rivalries in the region.

A senior official said, “We have increased surveillance and are investigating the source of the explosives. The situation is under control, but we are not taking any chances.” The recovery has once again highlighted the need for tighter security in Bengal's border regions as the state moves closer to elections.

West Bengal Election Results 2021: Congress deviates from addressing loss as it has been routed

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:11:24 +0530

In the early trends, the Congress is losing high stakes battle in the five states as initial trends show its dismal show this assembly election.

The only solace for the Congress is Tamil Nadu where the alliance is set to sail through, but the Congress is a junior partner here.

However, the ruling BJP-led NDA is heading to retain power in Assam for the second time in a row as the alliance is leading in 68 seats in the 126-member assembly for which three-phase polling ended on April 6.

In West Bengal, the Congress is not even in the race as TMC and BJP are fighting neck-to-neck in this battle.

However, the party has conveniently tried to downplay the loss as national spokesperson Dr Abhishek Singhvi seemingly diverts the attention to other issues across the country.

At this stage where entire Central & State Govts have been rendered ineffective (not entirely for a lack of trying), I want to take this moment to thank the individuals who have stood up & seized to moment to prove that humanity exists. #CovidWarriors

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

The irony of this Covid Crises is that even citizens, organization's in distress are only tagging private citizens, journalists & members of civil society for help because they know tagging the Government is useless.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

At 11 am, most channels give #bjp 108 seats in #WB, some 128. If they lose slightly more in next 90 mins, #prashant #Kishor wl win his bet—which he fully deserves to. even if bjp gets above 100, hope #Kishor does not implement his vow—he needs 3 cheers as much as whole party.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

Irrespective of #nandigram result—& she is trailing there—#Mamta showed her tigress fighting instincts by eschewing multiple safe seats available &took the fight right to the heart of the enemy’s den. Win or lose, she has won hearts &minds with her guts.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

100% credit to #Modi #Shah for #assam & #Puducherry. Full blame to #Ghosh, #Aiadmk & #Sreedharan for losses!

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

This Congress reaction on West Bengal verdict surely shows how the party doesn’t want to talk about its loss this election.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

West Bengal Election Result 2021: Congress counting agent Gopal Som faints

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 09:28:59 +0530

Gopal Som, a counting agent of Congress candidate from Panihati (North 24 Parganas), Tapas Majumder, was taken to a hospital after he fell unconscious at the counting centre.

West Bengal: Gopal Som, a counting agent of Congress candidate from Panihati (North 24 Parganas), Tapas Majumder, was taken to a hospital after he fell unconscious at the counting centre. pic.twitter.com/uCpeJxuF11

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021

As per EC trends, TMC leads in 2 seats & BJP in 1 seat BJP's Shankar Ghosh leading in Siliguri BJP's Ambika Roy leads in Kalyani seat TMC's Khokan Das leads in Bardhaman South

Historic West Bengal Shift: BJP Sweeps 200+, Full Winners List Inside

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 04 May 2026 22:08:15 +0530

West Bengal is witnessing a historic political shift as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moves towards a massive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. According to trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) as of 8:26 PM, the BJP has already won 136 seats and is leading in 72 more, taking it well past the majority mark in the 294-member Assembly.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, is far behind with 49 wins and leads in 30 seats. This marks the end of the party’s 15-year rule in the state.

A major political turning point

This election has changed Bengal’s political landscape. The BJP, once a minor player in the state, has now emerged as the dominant force. With around 46% vote share, it has clearly overtaken the TMC, which stands at about 40.8%.

The high voter turnout of over 90% across two phases shows how strongly people participated in this election. The results suggest that voters were looking for change.

Key leaders and major battles

Several top leaders were in the spotlight, including Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh. While the BJP gained across regions, some constituencies remained closely contested, showing that the political fight was intense.

Full list of winners (constituency-wise)

BJP Winners

Mekliganj — Dadhiram Ray

Mathabhanga — Nishith Pramanik

Dinhata — Ajay Ray

Dhupguri — Naresh Roy

Rajganj — Dinesh Sarkar

Dabgram-Fulbari — Sikha Chatterjee

Kalimpong — Bharat Kumar Chetri

Darjeeling — Noman Rai

Kurseong — Sonam Lama

Matigara-Naxalbari — Anandamay Barman

Phansidewa — Durga Murmu

Karandighi — Biraj Biswas

Hematabad — Haripada Barman

Kaliaganj — Utpal Brahmacharo

Raiganj — Koushik Chowdhury

Balurghat — Bidyut Kumar Roy

Tapan — Budhrai Tudu

Gangarampur — Satyendra Nath Roy

Habibpur — Joyel Murmu

Manikchak — Gaur Chandra Mandal

Malda — Gopal Chandra Saha

Murshidabad — Gouri Sankar Ghosh

Nabagram — Dilip Saha

Burwan — Sukhen Kumar Bagdi

Kandi — Gargi Das Ghosh

Beldanga — Bharat Kumar Jhawar

Baharampur — Subrata Maitra

Nakashipara — Santanu Dey

Krishnanagar Uttar — Tarak Nath Chatterjee

Krishnanagar Dakshin — Sadhan Ghosh

Krishnaganj — Sukanta Biswas

Ranaghat Dakshin — Ashim Kumar Biswas

Gaighata — Subrata Thakur

Habra — Debdas Mondal

Ashoknagar — Dr. Sumay Hira

Bijpur — Sudipta Das

Naihati — Sumitro Chatterjee

Bhatpara — Pawan Kumar Singh

Khardaha — Kalyan Chakraborti

Baranagar — Sajal Ghosh

Sandeshkhali — Sanat Sardar

Hingalganj — Rekha Patra

Gosaba — Bikarna Naskar

Kakdwip — Dipankar Jana

Sagar — Sumanta Mandal

Behala Purba — Sankar Sikder

Jorasanko — Vijay Ojha

Shyampukur — Purnima Chakraborty

Maniktala — Tapas Roy

Kashipur-Belgachhia — Ritesh Tiwari

Howrah Uttar — Umesh Rai

Shibpur — Rudranil Ghosh

Shyampur — Dr. Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay

Jagatballavpur — Anupam Ghosh

Sreerampur — Bhaskar Bhattacharya

Balagarh — Sumana Sarkar

Saptagram — Swaraj Ghosh

Arambag — Bag Hemanta

Goghat — Prasanta Digar

Panskura Purba — Subrata Maity

Nandakumar — Khanra Nirmal

Egra — Adhikari Dibyendu

Dantan — Ajit Kumar Jana

Nayagram — Amiya Kisku

Gopiballavpur — Rajesh Mahata

Jhargram — Lakshmi Kanta Sau

Keshiary — Bhadra Hemram

Sabang — Amal Kumar Panda

Debra — Subhashis Om

Daspur — Tapan Kumar Dutta

Ghatal — Sital Kapat

Chandrakona — Sukanta Dolui

Garbeta — Pradip Lodha

Salboni — Biman Mahata

Medinipur — Sankar Kumar Guchhait

Binpur — Dr. Pranat Tudu

Bandwan — Labsen Baskey

Balarampur — Jaladhar Mahato

Baghmundi — Rahidas Mahato

Joypur — Biswajit Mahato

Purulia — Sudip Kumar Mukherjee

Kashipur — Kamala Kanta Hansda

Para — Nadiar Chand Bouri

Raghunathpur — Mamoni Bauri

Saltora — Chandana Bauri

Chhatna — Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay

Ranibandh — Khudiram Tudu

Raipur — Kshetramohan Hansda

Taldangra — Souvik Patra

Bankura — Niladri Sekhar Dana

Barjora — Billeswar Sinha

Onda — Amarnath Shakha

Bishnupur — Shukla Chatterjee

Indus — Nirmal Kumar Dhara

Sonamukhi — Dibakar Gharami

Bardhaman Dakshin — Moumita Biswas Misra

Raina — Subhash Patra

Jamalpur — Arun Halder

Monteswar — Saikat Panja

Kalna — Siddhartha Majumdar

Memari — Manab Guha

Bhatar — Karfa Soumen

Purbasthali Dakshin — Pran Krishna Tapadar

Purbasthali Uttar — Gopal Chattopadhyay

Katwa — Krishna Ghosh

Ketugram — Anadi Ghosh

Ausgram — Kalita Maji

Galsi — Raju Patra

Pandabeswar — Jitendra Kumar Tewari

Durgapur Purba — Chandra Sekhar Banerjee

Durgapur Paschim — Lakshman Chandra Ghorui

Raniganj — Partha Ghosh

Jamuria — Dr. Bijan Mukherjee

Asansol Dakshin — Agnimitra Paul

Asansol Uttar — Krishnendu Mukherjee

Kulti — Ajay Kumar Poddar

Barabani — Arijit Roy

Dubrajpur — Anup Kumar Saha

Mayureswar — Dudh Kumar Mondal

TMC Winners

Sitai — Sangita Roy

Chopra — Hamidul Rahaman

Islampur — Agarwal Kanaia Lal

Goalpokhar — Md Ghulam Rabbani

Chakulia — Azad Minhajul Arfin

Itahar — Mosaraf Hussen

Chanchal — Prasun Banerjee

Malatipur — Abdur Rahim Boxi

Mothabari — Islam Md Najrul

Sujapur — Sabina Yeasmin

Samserganj — Mohammed Noor Alam

Suti — Emani Biswas

Raghunathganj — Akhruzzaman

Sagardighi — Bayron Biswas

Lalgola — Abdul Aziz Doctor

Bhagawangola — Reyat Hossain Sarkar

Bharatpur — Mustafijur Rahaman

Hariharpara — Niamot Sheikh

Jalangi — Babar Ali

Kaliganj — Alifa Ahmed

Chapra — Jeber Sekh

Baduria — Burhanul Mukaddim

Kamarhati — Madan Mitra

Deganga — Anisur Rahaman Bidesh

Haroa — Abdul Matin Muhammad

Minakhan — Usha Rani Mondal

Basirhat Uttar — Md Tauseffur Rahman

Basanti — Nilima Mistry Bishal

Kultali — Ganesh Chandra Mondal

Kulpi — Barnali Dhara

Canning Purba — Md Baharul Islam

Magrahat Purba — Sarmistha Purkait

Bishnupur — Dilip Mondal

Kasba — Ahmed Javed Khan

Metiaburuz — Abdul Khaleque Molla

Ballygunge — Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay

Chowrangee — Nayana Bandyopadhyay

Entally — Sandipan Saha

Howrah Dakshin — Nandita Chowdhury

Sankrail — Priya Paul

Panchla — Gulsan Mullick

Uluberia Purba — Ritabrata Banerjee

Domjur — Tapas Maity

Chanditala — Swati Khandoker

Dhanekhali — Asima Patra

Kharagpur — Dinen Roy

Keshpur — Seuli Saha

Khandaghosh — Nabin Chandra Bag

Other Winners

Domkal — Md Mostafijur Rahaman (CPI-M)

Bhangar — Md Nawsad Siddique (AISF)

Rejinagar — Humayun Kabir (AJUP)

Nowda — Humayun Kabir (AJUP)

Farakka — Motab Shaikh (INC)

Raninagar — Julfikar Ali (INC)

Why BJP won big

Several factors appear to have contributed to BJP’s strong performance:

1. Strong campaign strategy

The party ran an aggressive campaign and raised multiple issues to challenge the ruling TMC.

2. Wider voter reach

BJP expanded its presence across regions where it had little influence earlier.

3. Clear messaging

The campaign focused on development, governance, and change, which appealed to many voters.

4. Anti-incumbency

After 15 years of TMC rule, some voters were ready for a change.

Impact on Bengal politics

This election marks a turning point in West Bengal politics. The state, once dominated by Left parties and later by TMC, now sees the BJP as the main political force.

The result is significant because it breaks long-standing political patterns. The BJP’s rise shows that voter behaviour is changing and new political equations are forming.

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results have changed the state’s political landscape in a big way. The BJP’s historic win signals a new phase, while the TMC faces the task of rebuilding.

This election marks a major turning point for West Bengal. The BJP’s rise shows a clear shift in voter mood. The TMC, which ruled for 15 years, now faces its toughest setback.

The focus will now move to governance, jobs, and development. Voters will expect quick action from the new leadership.

Huge 89.99% Turnout! Why Did West Bengal Record Such Massive Voting In Phase 2?

Divya Danu — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:33:26 +0530

West Bengal recorded a massive voter turnout of around 90 per cent by 6 pm on Wednesday in the final phase of the Assembly elections. With polling still continuing for voters already in queues, the final figure is expected to rise even further. The turnout has already crossed the 80.4 per cent recorded in the same 142 seats during the 2021 Assembly elections. Strong grassroots campaigning, intense political rivalry and high public interest helped push turnout well above the 2021 level for the same constituencies.

The huge turnout showed strong public enthusiasm as polling for all 294 Assembly seats came to a close.

Purba Bardhaman tops the turnout chart

Purba Bardhaman recorded the highest turnout at 92.46 per cent by 5 pm. Hooghly followed with 90.34 per cent, while Nadia registered 90.28 per cent. Howrah saw 89.44 per cent voting. North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas also reported very high turnout, both remaining close to the 90 per cent mark.

High-stakes battle between TMC and BJP

The main contest is between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, which is aiming for a fourth straight term, and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is hoping for a major breakthrough in the state.

Campaigning in West Bengal has been intense, colourful and highly competitive. The ruling All India Trinamool Congress has focused on welfare schemes, Bengali identity and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's leadership.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has centred its campaign on corruption allegations, law and order and promises of political change.

Senior leaders from both parties have held massive rallies across the state, especially in South Bengal and Kolkata. Roadshows, door-to-door outreach, social media campaigns and local meetings have kept the election atmosphere charged. The high turnout suggests that voters are closely following the campaign and are eager to shape the state's future.

Final turnout may rise further

Polling stations officially closed in the evening, but anyone who entered before closing time will still be allowed to vote. Election officials believe the final turnout could move closer to the 95 per cent mark.

The huge participation shows strong public interest in this crucial phase of the election.

Earlier in the day, turnout had already touched 78.68 per cent by 3.30 pm, showing a steady flow of voters throughout the day.

High-stakes battle in Bengal

The second phase is being seen as extremely important. Voting has moved into South Bengal and Kolkata, areas considered traditional strongholds of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for another victory, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying hard to expand its footprint in the state.

The contest is widely seen as a direct fight between the TMC and the BJP.

Massive polling arrangements

The Election Commission set up 41,001 polling stations for this phase. These included 39,301 main polling stations and 1,700 auxiliary booths.

A total of 8,845 polling stations were managed entirely by women. There were also 13 booths managed by persons with disabilities and 258 model polling stations.

Webcasting was arranged at every single polling station to ensure smooth and transparent voting.

Key leaders cast votes

Several senior leaders and candidates were seen voting during the day. These included Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, TMC MP Mitali Bag, and BJP candidate Ratna Debnath.

Despite the peaceful voting in most places, some areas reported clashes and allegations of intimidation. Both the TMC and the BJP accused each other of trying to influence voters.

Results on May 4

Votes will be counted on May 4. Results for West Bengal will be announced along with Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

With such a high turnout, Phase 2 has become one of the most closely watched stages of the election.

(With ANI inputs)

West Bengal Elections 2021: Manoj Tiwary wins around 30,000 seats for TMC in Shibpur, Howrah

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:12:05 +0530

Manoj Tiwary is an Indian cricketer who plays for Bengal in the domestic circuit. He has represented India in the limited-overs department and has played for three franchises in the Indian Premier League.

Indian cricketer and politician Manoj Tiwary has attained success in the ongoing West Bengal elections. Representing All India Trinamool Congress for Sibpur in Howrah, Tiwary achieved success by winning around 30,000 seats and currently leads by 6,410 votes.

Tiwary joined the race in February 2021. He faced stiff competition from Rathin Chakrabarty of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Tiwary is a renowned Indian cricketer, having represented the side in the limited-overs department. He also played for three franchises in the Indian Premier League, having last played for Punjab Kings in 2018.

As for the overall WB elections, TMC maintains a healthy 121-seat lead over BJP in the state. So far, TMC has won 205 seats, with BJP winning 84. Among the others, Left Front has won just a seat so far, with a couple more being won by other parties.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

Will go to court: Mamata Banerjee after losing to Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram

Team Newsable — Mon, 03 May 2021 11:00:22 +0530

Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee on Sunday won a landslide victory in Bengal but lost in a cliffhanger in Nandigram to the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, her former protege.

"I accept the verdict in Nandigram - it is not a big deal. Don't worry," said the Chief Minister, declaring, however, that she would approach the court over "mischief".

Banerjee said three retired officers cannot control democracy. “We will move the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court against the Election Commission. The EC behaved very badly with us during the entire process. If they behave like this there will be no democracy. Three nominated men, who are retired officers, cannot control democracy,” she said.

A three-member Trinamool Congress delegation also met chief electoral officer Aariz Aftab in Kolkata on Sunday to ask for a recount of votes in Nandigram, where Banerjee lost a high-profile battle to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by a slim margin of 1,956 votes and discuss other issues. The party alleged that electronic voting machines were tampered with, false or invalid votes in favour of BJP were put and postal ballots were wrongly counted. It demanded a recount to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process — but ECI rejected the request.

"Let the Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that. Nandigram was a sacrifice that was needed in the larger victory. We have won the state," she said.

"Whatever happened is for the best. I will not have to go that far regularly now, I am saved in that way. But I will go to the court because I have heard there were some malpractices," she said.

The EC courted controversy throughout the election, beginning with the prolonged duration of the polls, to not conceding to the opposition’s demands to club the last three phases in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases.

TMC, BJP agents clash ahead of West Bengal counting of votes

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:03:04 +0530

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 4 (ANI): A tense situation was reported outside the counting centre at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency on Monday, as West Bengal entered its verdict day amid tight security arrangements.A verbal argument broke out between counting agents of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outside the centre ahead of the start of counting of votes for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.Counting of votes for all 293 constituencies is scheduled to begin at 8 am, marking the culmination of a prolonged and high-stakes electoral campaign in the state.According to a TMC worker present at the spot, the dispute arose over alleged differences in permission being given to agents inside the counting centre.Speaking to ANI, the TMC worker said, "They are not allowing us to take files or pens inside, but the BJP polling agents are allowed to take them inside. Rules should be the same for everyone. We are the people of Mamata Banerjee. There is no bigger identity than this."On the other hand, a BJP counting agent countered the allegation, stating that rules were being followed and that the TMC side was creating unnecessary disturbance."They are not carrying their ID cards. We are wearing our ID cards. They are creating a ruckus unnecessarily. BJP is winning with a majority in West Bengal and even in Bhabanipur," the BJP counting agent told ANI.Counting is expected to proceed under strict arrangements across the state.This comes in the last hour before the counting of votes begins across the state at 8:00 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM counting at 8:30 am, with results to be updated in real time on ECINET and the official election portal.Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Sunday also issued a stern warning against disruption, promising a transparent and peaceful counting day backed by a massive security apparatus.In a series of briefings ahead of the count, Agarwal emphasised that the Election Commission has left nothing to chance, deploying a rigorous three-tier security system to guard counting centres across the state.To ensure the integrity of the process, a multi-layered force has been mobilised. 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are dedicated exclusively to counting centres. Security is divided between the State Police, State Armed Police, and CAPF. CCTV cameras have been installed outside counting halls to monitor all movement. (ANI)

West Bengal Election 2021: Mamata Banerjee gains slim lead against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 16:24:24 +0530

Trinamool Congress takes a massive lead in Bengal poll elections, passing the 209 seat mark while BJP failed to reach 90 seats.

Mamata Banerjee is currently facing a tough fight from Suvendu for Nandigram. Nandigram Official election commission announcement, after 16th round of counting 102751 votes - Shubhendu and 103571 votes - Mamata.

Suvendu Adhikari was previously Banerjee's right-hand man as she campaigned for farmers' land rights and rallied people around the Trinamool.

Adhikari later won from the constituency, and for years, his family had a firm grip across Nandigram. Later, Adhikari's switch to the BJP led to a flood of withdrawals from the Trinamool and left her without many top aides.

Mamta, hurt by Adhikari's betrayal, determined to take the fight straight to his fortress to prove a point. Mamta gave up her constituency Bhowanipore in Kolkata.

In her speeches, Banerjee said she wanted to contest Nandigram "to salute the Nandigram movement" and promised she would never abandon the constituency.

Mamata Banerjee on landslide victory: We won against money power, muscle and mafia power

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 20:01:08 +0530

Trinamool Congress has stretched its lead to over 214 seats, while BJP might have to settle for less than 80, as per the latest trends.

I accept the verdict. But I will move the Court because I have information that there were some manipulations done after the declaration of results, and I will reveal those: Mamata Banerjee on Nandigram counting.

As Election Commission's counting officials have now announced the final margin of Suvendu Adhikary's victory 1737 votes, Mamata says "Don't worry for Nandigram."

Don't worry for Nandigram, for struggle you have to sacrifice something. I struggled for Nandigram because I fought a movement. It's ok. Let the Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Speaking to the press in Kolkata, she said, “This is a victory for the people of Bengal. I am proud to say that Bengal saved the country. The Election Commission behaved badly with us they behaved like BJP’s spokesperson. Two slogans ‘Khela hobe’ and ‘Joy Bangla’ — worked well for us. Bengal won the match. We will distribute 50,000 footballs among clubs in rural Bengal.”

Mamata also added, “BJP played dirty politics and lost the election. The Election Commission behaved badly with us — they acted like BJP’s spokesperson.”

Talking about the Covid-19 situation in West Bengal, she said "it will be the topmost priority of her government."

Congratulations to Mamata Didi for @AITCofficial's win in West Bengal. The Centre will continue to extend all possible support to the West Bengal Government to fulfil people’s aspirations and also to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. @MamataOfficial

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021

“Combating Covid-19 will be our topmost priority. The swearing-in will be a low-key event because of the prevailing situation. We will weather this storm. We will distribute free vaccines to everyone. Also request the Centre to distribute free vaccines to all. If this does not happen, I will sit on a dharna in front of the Gandhi Murti (in Kolkata),” Banerjee said.

She continued, “We appeal to everyone not to do a victory rally now. But this will be after Covid is defeated. We will do a big victory rally at the Brigade Parade Ground later after the situation is normal.”

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC crosses halfway mark; ahead of BJP in West Bengal

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 12:32:12 +0530

Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has crossed the halfway mark in West Bengal, where the BJP appears to have made gains since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Trinamool Congress leads in 201seats while the BJP is ahead in 91 seats, early trends show.

According to early trends being reported by India Today, the Chief Minister herself is trailing in Nandigram by over 6000 votes, according to early trends. Mamta is contesting against the BJP’s Suvendhu Adhikari, her ex-aide, whose December failure triggered a flood of exits from the Trinamool Congress.

Official trends | Suvendu Adhikari, BJP candidate from Nandigram continues to lead from the Assembly constituency. #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/bmMRFFfHFt

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021

TMC candidate, Kajal Sinha who died of COVID infection just three days after polling in his seat Khardaha is leading by 2411 votes as per Election Commission.

Cricketer-turned-politician Manoj Tiwary is leading in Shibpur. He is contesting from Trinamool Congress ticket.

Why Akhilesh Yadav Dropped I-PAC Ahead Of 2027 UP Elections

Divya Danu — Wed, 06 May 2026 17:39:56 +0530

The Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav, has decided not to work with election strategy firm Indian Political Action Committee for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. This decision marks a major shift in the party’s campaign planning. The move comes after months of discussions between SP and I-PAC, which were never officially announced but were widely known within political circles.

Akhilesh Yadav himself confirmed that the arrangement has been dropped mainly due to lack of funds. However, several other factors also appear to have influenced the decision.

हमारे पास उतना फंड नहीं है, इसलिए I-PAC से करार खत्म हुआ.- अखिलेश यादव pic.twitter.com/02rcGYuAp6

— Ranvijay Singh (@ranvijaylive) May 6, 2026

अखिलेश यादव ने बताई I-PAC से अलग होने की असली वजह.यूपी विधानसभा चुनाव के लिए I-PAC कंपनी के साथ सेवाएं खत्म करने की खबरों पर अखिलेश यादव ने बात की है. सपा चीफ ने कहा कि कुछ समय के लिए उन्होंने हमारे साथ काम किया लेकिन अब हमारे पास फंड्स नहीं हैं, फंड की कमी है. pic.twitter.com/fhOY53YqOG

— The Lallantop (@TheLallantop) May 6, 2026

What I-PAC was expected to do

I-PAC is a political consultancy firm that helps parties with campaign planning, data analysis, messaging and social media outreach. Sources said I-PAC was expected to work mainly in constituencies where SP had narrowly lost the 2022 Assembly election. The idea was to improve the party’s performance in these close seats.

समाजवादी प्रमुख अखिलेश यादव जी ने I-PAC से अपना कॉन्ट्रैक्ट खत्म किया,और बताया फंड की कमी है!फंड की कमी हो सकती है, लेकिन अखिलेश जी सियासत की समझ से मुझे लगता है कि बंगाल की हार देखते हुए फैसला लिया गया है जोकि सही भी है!क्यूँकि ये कंपनी बीजेपी को ज्यादा समर्पित है! pic.twitter.com/5ur52wFUXA

— प्रधान जी सैफी (@Afsarali190) May 6, 2026

अखिलेश यादव ने यूपी चुनाव 2027 को लेकर समाजवादी पार्टी (सपा) और कंसल्टेंसी फर्म I-PAC के बीच हुआ टाई-अप खत्म कर दिया है।पश्चिम बंगाल और तमिलनाडु में टीएमसी और डीएमके के चुनावी मैनेजमेंट की जिम्मेदारी I-PAC के पास थी, लेकिन दोनों ही पार्टियों को अपने-अपने राज्यों में करारी हार… pic.twitter.com/ULu3MIax1W

— Dinesh Bohra (@dineshbohrabmr) May 6, 2026

The firm has worked with several major political parties in the past and is known for running detailed election campaigns.

Why SP backed out

Akhilesh Yadav gave a simple explanation when asked about ending the tie-up. He said the party did not have enough money to continue with I-PAC’s services.

In a lighter tone, he even joked with reporters that if the media could provide funds, the party might hire another consultancy.

But sources say the decision was not only about money.

Impact of recent election results

Recent election results in other states played a key role in shaping SP’s thinking.

In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s party suffered a major defeat, with the BJP winning a huge majority. The BJP secured more than 200 seats in the 294-member Assembly.

In Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin’s DMK also lost power. It was defeated by actor Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

These defeats raised questions within SP about the effectiveness of I-PAC’s strategies, as the firm was believed to have been involved in campaign planning in both states.

Concerns over legal troubles

Another major factor was the legal trouble surrounding I-PAC earlier this year. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the firm’s office in Kolkata and at the residence of co-founder Pratik Jain.

The investigation was linked to a money-laundering case connected to an alleged coal smuggling scam.

Later, another co-founder, Vinesh Chandel, was arrested in April. The ED claimed that large amounts of money were moved through illegal channels into a company linked to I-PAC.

According to the agency, funds were routed partly through banking systems and partly through cash to convert black money into white.

Chandel was released on bail last week, but the controversy raised serious concerns.

Effect on SP’s decision

Sources say these developments made SP leaders uncomfortable about continuing any close association with I-PAC.

One key moment came when ED raids were happening at I-PAC's Kolkata office while the firm’s representatives were in Lucknow giving a presentation to SP leaders.

This timing reportedly created unease within the party leadership.

Operational issues during campaigns

Reports also suggest that I-PAC reduced its operations in some states during the final phase of recent elections. Teams were downsized, including in Uttar Pradesh. This may have affected SP’s confidence in the firm’s ability to manage large-scale campaigns.

Feedback from local party workers also played a role. Many felt the party should rely more on its own organisation rather than an external firm.

SP’s new strategy

The Samajwadi Party now plans to depend on its internal network and ground-level workers for the 2027 elections. Leaders believe this approach will help them stay more connected with voters and local issues.

At the same time, SP is not completely avoiding professional help. The party will continue working with another consultancy firm called Showtime, which handles election management and social media work.

This contract was signed around two months ago and will remain in place.

Political stakes in Uttar Pradesh

The 2027 Assembly election is very important for SP and Akhilesh Yadav. The party is seen as the main opposition to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh.

A strong performance in this election could revive SP’s position, while a weak showing may hurt its future prospects.

Akhilesh Yadav has already started attacking the BJP on key issues like unemployment, caste census, law and order, and farmers’ problems.

Wider opposition picture

The decision also comes at a time when several opposition leaders have faced setbacks. Mamata Banerjee lost power in West Bengal. MK Stalin’s DMK was removed in Tamil Nadu. Arvind Kejriwal also lost control of Delhi.

These developments have reduced the number of strong opposition leaders challenging the BJP at the national level.

Akhilesh Yadav's West Bengal visit

Amid these political changes, Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to visit West Bengal for a meeting with Mamata Banerjee. The meeting is expected to focus on election results and future strategies for opposition unity.

The visit shows that opposition parties are still trying to work together despite recent defeats.

Tensions in West Bengal after election

West Bengal has seen political tension after the BJP’s big win. The party secured over 200 seats, while the Trinamool Congress dropped sharply.

Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign and claimed that her party is the 'moral winner'. She has also accused the Election Commission and BJP of unfair practices.

So far, neither SP nor I-PAC has issued a detailed official statement about ending their association. Akhilesh Yadav has maintained that the decision is mainly due to financial limits.

However, sources suggest a mix of political, legal, and practical reasons behind the move.

(With inputs from agencies)

BJP Surge In West Bengal: Industry Sees Big Economic Opportunity

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 04 May 2026 20:57:40 +0530

West Bengal is witnessing a major political shift as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moves towards a decisive victory in the Assembly elections. In the 294-member House, the party has already won dozens of seats and is leading in many more, taking its total close to a clear majority mark.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has been in power since 2011, is trailing behind with far fewer wins and leads. This marks a dramatic change in the state’s political landscape, where the BJP had earlier been a smaller player.

Close contest in Bhabanipur

Even as the BJP gains ground across the state, the contest in Bhabanipur remains tight. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is leading by a narrow margin of around 3,800 votes against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari after multiple rounds of counting.

This close fight shows that while the overall trend favours the BJP, some key seats are still highly competitive.

Industry welcomes possible political change

As the results unfolded, several industry bodies and trade groups quickly reacted. Many congratulated the BJP for its strong performance and expressed hope that a new government would focus on economic growth.

Business leaders said they expect more attention on industrial development, better infrastructure, and policies that make it easier to invest and do business in the state.

Focus on investment and infrastructure

Naresh Pachisia, president of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, said the results could mark the beginning of a “new dawn” for West Bengal. He stressed the need for big investments and faster business growth.

According to him, improving roads, logistics, and industrial facilities will be key. He also highlighted the importance of strong cooperation between the state and central governments to push development projects.

He added that restoring investor confidence quickly would be very important if the state wants to regain its position as a major industrial hub.

Call for better governance and policies

Industry groups are also asking for transparent and stable governance. They believe clear rules and consistent policies will help attract both domestic and global investors.

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it is looking forward to a business-friendly environment with strong policy support. It emphasised the need for ease of doing business, job creation, and long-term economic planning.

The chamber also suggested steps like modern infrastructure, better skill training for workers, and strong industrial and IT policies.

Textile sector seeks special support

The textile industry has also shared its expectations. Sudesh Agarwal, president of the West Bengal Hosiery Association, said the sector hopes for special support under central schemes.

He pointed out that better coordination between the Centre and the state would help in setting up modern textile parks and improving supply chains.

According to him, West Bengal has the potential to become a strong textile hub, especially at a time when global supply chains are changing.

Why this election is important

The BJP’s rise in West Bengal is significant for several reasons. For years, the state’s politics was dominated first by the Left parties and later by the TMC. The BJP’s strong performance shows that voters are open to change.

The party has also improved its position compared to the last election, where it had won far fewer seats. This time, it ran an aggressive campaign and focused on multiple local and national issues.

Congress and smaller parties struggle

While the BJP gains and the TMC tries to hold ground, other parties have struggled. The Congress is expected to win only a couple of seats, continuing its weak performance in the state.

Some smaller parties have managed to win or lead in a few constituencies, but they are unlikely to play a major role in the overall outcome.

The final results are still being confirmed, but the trends are clear. If the BJP secures a full majority, it will form the government and begin work on its promises.

For industry and business groups, the focus will quickly shift from election results to policy actions. They will be watching closely to see how fast the new government moves on reforms, infrastructure projects, and investment plans.

A turning point for West Bengal

This election could mark a turning point for West Bengal. A change in government may bring a new approach to economic development and governance.

At the same time, expectations are high. Delivering on promises related to jobs, industry, and growth will be the real challenge in the months ahead.

(With inputs from agencies)

Election Commission cracks the whip: No mask, no social distancing as TMC supporters celebrate big win

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:15:16 +0530

As Trinamool Congress is leading on 211 seats, the BJP is leading on 78. TMC supporters celebrate in Kolkata as the party surges ahead towards victory.

Election Commission takes serious note of parties celebrating amid Covid concerns. "ECI takes serious note of reports coming in of congregation(s) of people to celebrate anticipated victory. EC has directed Chief Secretaries of all 5 states to file FIR in each such case, suspend concerned SHO and report action taken immediately of each such incidence," says the Election Commission of India.

Qatar World Cup 2022: Fans applaud Uruguay-South Korea's competitive spirit in goalless draw

Ayush Gupta — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 20:59:01 +0530

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar continued to produce thrills daily. The trend continued on Thursday when former two-time champion Uruguay collided against South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. Although both teams settled for a competitive goalless draw despite the former being the favourite to win it, the fans applauded the fighting spirit of both sides.

FIFA recorded ZERO shots on target during Uruguay vs. South Korea. The first time that's happened in a World Cup game this century pic.twitter.com/XXPcXCudFP

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) November 24, 2022

As for the game, a total of ten shots were registered by Uruguay, compared to South Korea's seven. Both sides produced a promising opportunity each, while both also missed a scoring chance. Nevertheless, Sky Blue was better in passing, 448, compared to the Reds' 327. While Uruguay committed seven fouls, unlike Korea's ten, the former fell into the off-side trap on an instance, unlike Korea, which didn't.

Uruguay have only conceded 2 goals in 10 games since Diego Alonso took charge#Qatar2022

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 24, 2022

FOLLOW QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 UPDATES HERE

Jae-Sung Lee and South Korea off to a solid start in Group H #Mainz05 pic.twitter.com/k318HALyiA

— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) November 24, 2022

Both sides were competitive in terms of winning corners, with Uruguay leading 4-3. Notably, the Uruguayans hit the bar on two occasions in both halves, making it the better side. Also, its high-pressing game made things a tide difficult for the Koreans. While Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani failed to get on the scoresheet for Sky Blue, Heung-Min Son failed for the Reds.

As I said before, fede valverde is one of the top 5 players in the world rn.

— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) November 24, 2022

As for some of the records attained:

Uruguay is now 465 minutes with a clean sheet in the group stage of the WC, with this being its fifth instance of straight clean sheets.
Eight sides have settled for a draw in their opening game of the WC, which is already the most in a single edition's opening matches, with a couple more contests to go.

Everyone knew about Heung-min Son and Kim Min-jae going into this game, but the one Korean player who really caught my eye was Hwang-in Beom. Really composed at the base of midfield, constantly making the right decisions and ensuring that South Korea held their own on the ball.

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) November 24, 2022

West Bengal Election Results 2021: BJP wins Nandigram, but loses Bengal battle

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 19:11:32 +0530

Trinamool Congress takes a massive lead in Bengal poll elections, passing the 214 seat mark while BJP failed to reach 77 seats.

As per the latest trends, Mamata who was earlier trailing in the prestigious Nandigram seat was now leading by over 2700 votes against her BJP rival Suvendu Adhikari after several rounds counting of votes.

Suvendu Adhikari was previously Banerjee's right-hand man as she campaigned for farmers' land rights and rallied people around the Trinamool.

Nandigram is the town that catapulted Mamata to power for the first time in 2011, and gaining here serves as a big message to aides, mainly Adhikari. Later he ditched Mamata in 2021 and join BJP.

In December, Adhikari's switch to the BJP to defect and vowed to quit politics if he didn't defeat Mamata by more than 50,000 votes.

Arvind Kejriwal to Akhilesh Yadav to Abhishek Singhvi; several political leaders congratulate Mamata Banerjee

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:17:45 +0530

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) heads towards victory, leads in over 213 seats. The BJP is ahead in nearly 77 seats, according to trends on the Election Commission of India’s website.

During the eight-phased elections, West Bengal witnessed a fierce battle between chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and BJP, confident of winning a clear majority. Banerjee is looking to win the third term in West Bengal as the chief minister.

Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav congratulates Mamata Banerjee for defeating "the politics of hate of BJP" in Bengal.

प. बंगाल में भाजपा की नफ़रत की राजनीति को हराने वाली जागरुक जनता, जुझारू सुश्री ममता बनर्जी जी व टीएमसी के समर्पित नेताओं व कार्यकर्ताओं को हार्दिक बधाई! ये भाजपाइयों के एक महिला पर किए गए अपमानजनक कटाक्ष ‘दीदी ओ दीदी’ का जनता द्वारा दिया गया मुँहतोड़ जवाब है। # दीदी_जिओ_दीदी pic.twitter.com/wlnUmdfMwA

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 2, 2021

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi says irrespective of Nandigram result - and she is trailing there - Mamta showed her tigress fighting instincts by eschewing multiple safe seats available and took the fight right to the heart of the enemy's den. "Win or lose, she has won hearts & minds with her guts," says the Congress leader.

#WB remarkable 4variety of reasons—best brake on #BJP arrogance; shows mere money pumping wo boots on ground does nt work; that decibel levels often inversely proportional 2reality; tht local vs outsider is imp; tht polarisation has limits & drawing room perceptions dangerous!

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 2, 2021

Congratulations @MamataOfficial didi for landslide victory. What a fight! Congratulations to the people of WB

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 2, 2021

Congratulations to @MamataOfficial @AITCofficial @derekobrienmp on their splendid victory today. Kudos to the people of West Bengal for rejecting disruptive & divisive forces.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 2, 2021

Congratulations @MamataOfficial on your stupendous victory! Let us continue our work towards the welfare of people and tackling the Pandemic collectively.

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 2, 2021

Heartiest congratulations to @MamataOfficial didi & everyone at @AITCofficial for the remarkable victory in West Bengal. The BJP & a throughly partisan Election Commission threw everything including the kitchen sink at you & you prevailed. All the best for the next 5 years.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 2, 2021

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav also congrats Mamta didi

पश्चिम बंगाल की “ममतामयी” जनता को कोटि कोटि बधाई व हार्दिक साधुवाद। आज जब पूरा देश कठिन परिस्थितियों से जूझ रहा है। पश्चिम बंगाल ने एक बार फिर अपनी ममता और भरोसा अपनी दीदी में ही देखा है। यह जनता के स्नेह और विश्वास की जीत है। @MamataOfficial जी के दृढ़ और कुशल नेतृत्व की जीत है। https://t.co/nJvC5R8o3v

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 2, 2021

Election Results 2021: 4 key takeaways from the West Bengal election 2021

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 20:03:17 +0530

After hours of counting, here are the big takeaways from the leads currently in West Bengal

Mamata wave: Mamata Banerjee is set to return to power for the third time with almost the same number of seats as she did in 2016. What makes the victory even more special is the fact that the Trinamool Congress was hit by a wave of desertions in the run up to the elections and Mamata and her nephew Abhishek were at the centre of BJP's onslaught.

BJP surge: BJP is the biggest gainer politically in this election. From three seats in 2016 to over 80 in 2021, the party has emerged as the principal opposition in the state. The BJP's poll performance can be attributed to the campaign blitz by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda and other top leaders of the party.

Congress rout: Congress has been wiped out in West Bengal. To recall, Congress had won 44 seats in the 2016 assembly election. The Congress-Left alliance could not match the BJP's campaign blitz led by Prime Minister Modi. The party seemed more focused on the elections in Assam and Kerala with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigning there.

Left wipeout: One of the biggest stories emerging from the West Bengal election verdict is the wipeout of the Communist party in the state. In the 2016 West Bengal assembly elections, the CPI-M had won 26 seats while AIFB won 2 seats and CPI got 1. This time, however, the Left has drawn a blank.

BJP concedes defeat in West Bengal; Rajnath, Nirmala congratulate Mamata Banerjee

Team Newsable — Sun, 02 May 2021 16:46:31 +0530

Trends available for 284 out of 292 constituencies in the state, TMC was leading in 212 seats, while the BJP was leading 78.

Banerjee also wins over her former protege-turned-BJP rival Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram by over 1200 votes.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to congratulate Mamata Banerjee on her win even though the election commission.

Congratulations to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, @MamataOfficial Didi on her party’s victory in West Bengal assembly elections. My best wishes to her for her next tenure.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 2, 2021

In a tweet, Rajnath Singh wrote: "Congratulations to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, @MamataOfficial Didi on her party’s victory in West Bengal assembly elections. My best wishes to her for her next tenure."

BJP MP Prof Rakesh Sinh concedes Trinamool Congress' win

TMC's victory in WB is a Post- truth phenomena.

— Prof Rakesh Sinha (@RakeshSinha01) May 2, 2021

Nirmala Sitharaman wishes Mamata Banerjee

Congratulations @MamataOfficial didi on @AITCofficial being elected again in the Assembly election. Good wishes for your next tenure.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 2, 2021

What PM Modi's Bengal Visit Includes: SIR Message, Matua Focus and Rs 3,200 crore Highway Projects

Divya Danu — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:31:48 +0530

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal’s Nadia district on Saturday, where he will inaugurate major national highway projects and address a large public rally. The visit comes at a sensitive political moment, with rising tension in the state over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

This will be Modi’s first visit to West Bengal since the draft SIR rolls were published and his third visit in the last five months. Political observers see the trip as an important step in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s early campaign planning for the assembly elections due early next year.

Focus on Matua community concerns

The Prime Minister is expected to address concerns among the Matua community, a Dalit Hindu group that migrated from Bangladesh over several decades due to religious persecution. His rally will be held in Taherpur in Ranaghat, a strategic location close to Bongaon, considered the heartland of the Namasudra Hindu community.

Observers say the venue has been carefully chosen to send a political message. The publication of the draft electoral rolls has caused fear and confusion among many Matua families, especially over documentation and voter status.

The community is believed to have a strong influence in around 80 of West Bengal’s 294 assembly seats, making it a key voting bloc in the upcoming elections.

SIR exercise sparks major political debate

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has strongly opposed the SIR exercise, alleging that it is being carried out in haste and could lead to the removal of genuine voters from the rolls.

After the enumeration phase, 58,20,899 names were excluded from the draft electoral rolls, reducing the total electorate to 7.08 crore. In addition, 1.36 crore entries have been flagged for 'logical discrepancies', and 30 lakh voters have been marked as 'unmapped'.

A large number of these voters may be called for verification hearings over the next 45 days. The TMC claims that many affected voters are refugee Hindus, including members of the Matua community.

Fears of disenfranchisement among Matuas

Speculation is growing that significant numbers of Matuas have already been left out of the draft rolls. Many more may face trouble during the final verification phase because they may not have the documents specified by the Election Commission.

These fears have revived long-standing anxieties about identity, citizenship and political rights within the community. Over the years, the BJP has made visible gains among Matuas by promising them formal Indian citizenship.

BJP counters TMC claims

BJP leaders say fear is being deliberately spread. Jagannath Sarkar, BJP MP from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat, said misinformation was being used to create panic.

“We are hopeful that the Prime Minister’s message will clear these fears and false claims,” Sarkar said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has led several anti-SIR rallies in Nadia and North 24 Parganas, districts that border Bangladesh and have a high Matua population.

Modi attacks TMC governance

Ahead of his visit, Modi shared a strong message on X on Friday evening. He said people in West Bengal were benefiting from welfare schemes of the central government but were suffering due to what he called the TMC’s misgovernance.

“The loot and intimidation of the TMC have crossed all limits. That is why the BJP is the people’s hope,” he wrote.

আগামীকাল, ২০শে ডিসেম্বর, দুপুরে আমি রানাঘাটে বিজেপির জনসভায় ভাষণ দেব। পশ্চিমবঙ্গের মানুষ কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের বহু জনমুখী প্রকল্পের সুবিধা পাচ্ছেন। তবে একইসঙ্গে, রাজ্যের সর্বক্ষেত্রে তৃণমূল কংগ্রেসের অপশাসনের কারণে তারা ভোগান্তির শিকার হচ্ছেন।তৃণমূলের লুটপাট ও ভীতিপ্রদর্শন সব…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 19, 2025

Major highway projects worth Rs 3,200 crore

During the visit, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for two national highway projects worth around Rs 3,200 crore.

He will inaugurate the 66.7-km four-laning of the Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34 in Nadia district. He will also lay the foundation stone for the 17.6-km four-laning of the Barasat–Barajaguli section in North 24 Parganas.

Officials said these projects will improve connectivity between Kolkata and Siliguri, helping trade, tourism and economic growth across southern and northern Bengal.

A visit with political and economic signals

PM Modi’s Nadia visit combines development messaging with sharp political signalling. As the SIR debate continues and election season approaches, the rally is expected to set the tone for the BJP's strategy in West Bengal.