PM Modi and Mamata Banerjee intensify political slugfest over women’s reservation bill and delimitation ahead of West Bengal polls
April 19, 2026: The political battle in West Bengal has intensified ahead of the assembly elections, with Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee exchanging sharp attacks. Banerjee criticised Modi’s recent address to the nation, calling it misleading and “deeply unfortunate,” and accused him of avoiding accountability by not speaking in Parliament. She further described his remarks as “cowardly, hypocritical and fork-tongued,” while asserting that her party has consistently supported greater political representation for women.
Modi, on the other hand, continued his offensive against the Trinamool Congress and the Congress, alleging that they colluded to block the constitutional amendment bill aimed at providing 33% reservation for women in legislatures. The bill failed in the Lok Sabha due to disagreements over delimitation based on the 2011 Census. Banerjee countered that the opposition was not against women’s reservation but opposed the delimitation exercise, which she claimed was an attempt to alter the federal structure and benefit BJP-ruled states.
Escalating his attack during a rally in Purulia, Modi accused the TMC government of running a “maha jungle raj,” alleging poor infrastructure, corruption, and lack of development, especially in tribal regions. He also raised issues such as the teacher recruitment scam and unemployment, claiming that corruption has hindered growth in the state. Expressing confidence, Modi said the BJP would form the next government with a strong majority. The elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.