West Bengal election: Banerjee raises voter roll deletion claims at Bhabanipur outreach

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held her first community outreach in Bhabanipur since filing her nomination on 8 April. She accused the BJP of seeking to divide voters and alleged names from minority and migrant communities were removed during electoral roll revision. She urged unity ahead of the 2026 assembly polls amid a high-profile contest with Suvendu Adhikari.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday used a community meeting in Bhabanipur to step up criticism of the BJP. Mamata Banerjee spoke about alleged voter roll deletions and warned against efforts to split people by caste or religion. The outreach event followed Mamata Banerjee’s nomination filing on April 8 for the 2026 assembly polls.

The programme took place at Ladies Park in Bhabanipur and drew a mixed audience. People from Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Gujarati, Sindhi, Bihari and ISKCON communities attended. Mamata Banerjee urged participants to stay united during the election period. Mamata Banerjee also asked attendees to pass the message to their communities.

Mamata Banerjee targets BJP over electoral rolls in Bhabanipur

Speaking at the interaction, Mamata Banerjee said voter names were removed during the special intensive revision process. Mamata Banerjee alleged the deletions affected minority and migrant communities. Mamata Banerjee claimed around 300 nuns found their names missing in the exercise. Mamata Banerjee also alleged Muslim, Bihari and Gujarati voters were struck off without valid reasons.

Mamata Banerjee framed the vote as a public celebration with safeguards for rights. "Election is the festival of democracy, not autocracy,\" the Trinamool Congress supremo said. Mamata Banerjee asked people from different groups to avoid division and keep social unity. Mamata Banerjee said the message mattered more during the campaign period.

Mamata Banerjee links BJP politics to caste and religion divides

Without naming the BJP at first, Mamata Banerjee accused political rivals of dividing society. Mamata Banerjee said caste, religion and community were being used ahead of elections. Mamata Banerjee referred to the recent womens reservation bill controversy. Mamata Banerjee said the focus was shifting to social rifts instead of public concerns.

Mamata Banerjee later accused the BJP of trying to win Bengal through force. Mamata Banerjee alleged central agencies, security forces and money power were being used. Mamata Banerjee said the BJP feared defeat in the state. Mamata Banerjee promised Bengal would remain open for all faiths and communities.

\"Everyone has the right to follow his or her religion in Bengal. We have always protected communal harmony,\" Mamata Banerjee said. Mamata Banerjee added that Mamata Banerjee attended programmes across communities over the years. Mamata Banerjee said freedom of worship would remain protected across the state.

Mamata Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari in 2026 Bhabanipur contest

Bhabanipur is among the most watched seats in the 2026 assembly polls. Mamata Banerjee is a three-term MLA from the constituency. Mamata Banerjee is in a direct contest with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The race is being viewed as a repeat of the 2021 Nandigram battle.

In 2021, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram after leaving the TMC for the BJP. The Bhabanipur face-off has gained added political weight due to that earlier result. Supporters from both sides are expected to watch the contest closely as the campaign builds.

Mamata Banerjee reached the venue from Tarakeswar before the evening meeting began. A chair was placed for Mamata Banerjee on the dais. Mamata Banerjee instead sat among people in the front rows. Mamata Banerjee used a hand-held microphone while addressing the gathering.

After the speech, representatives from several communities spoke at the venue. The speakers expressed support for Mamata Banerjee at the event. They also said they hoped Mamata Banerjee would return for a fourth consecutive term. The meeting ended with calls for unity as the election nears.

With inputs from PTI