War of words escalates ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls
March 21, 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday intensified her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him the “biggest infiltrator” while addressing an Eid gathering. The Trinamool Congress chief alleged that recent electoral roll revisions were part of a larger strategy to influence voting outcomes ahead of the Assembly elections, warning political opponents against targeting the state.
The remarks come amid heightened political campaigning, with the issue of illegal immigration dominating the narrative. The Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly raised concerns over demographic changes in the state, while Banerjee has accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate voter lists. She claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is being used to remove legitimate voters, particularly in minority-dominated areas that form a key part of her party’s support base.
The BJP responded sharply, with leader Shishir Bajoria criticising Banerjee’s remarks and questioning her conduct. As the political row intensifies, West Bengal is set to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. With both sides stepping up attacks, the battle for the state is expected to grow more heated in the coming weeks.