Allegations and counter-allegations in Bengal elections, political temperature rises, debate broke out between Yogi and Mamta

• Yogi focused on violence, corruption, Shah described the wave of change
• Election battle intensifies on law and order, development and identity

Kolkata. The political turmoil has reached its peak amid the campaign for the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections 2026. The round of allegations and counter-allegations has intensified between Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and other parties. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Home Minister Amit Shah made sharp attacks on each other in separate meetings, which has further heated up the election atmosphere.

Addressing a public meeting in Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing central agencies, security forces and resources. He said that BJP is taking the help of ‘central power’ to win the elections. Mamta claimed that many Chief Ministers, Union Ministers and a large number of helicopters have been deployed for campaigning, but the public will answer through votes. Referring to Nandigram and Bhawanipur, he said that the opposition is trying to influence the voting process, but the people of the state will thwart such attempts.

Describing employment and industrial development as the achievement of his government, the Chief Minister said that unemployment has reduced in the state and new industries are being established. He cited the example of development along the National Highway from Howrah to Bardhaman and claimed to increase employment opportunities with new factories in the Hindmotor area. Also targeting the schemes of the Central Government, he said that announcements are made at the time of elections, but the benefits are not given equally.

At the same time, while addressing a public meeting in Nabadwip in Nadia district, Yogi Adityanath accused TMC of weakening democracy and spreading anarchy. He said that there were attacks on BJP leaders and workers in the first phase of voting, which shows the ‘hooliganism’ of TMC. Yogi claimed that when the election results are declared on May 4, there will be no space left for TMC and a ‘double engine government’ will be formed in the state, which will bring rapid development.

Yogi Adityanath also cornered Mamata Banerjee on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and alleged that TMC opposed it for political reasons. Questioning the law and order situation in Bengal, he said that the time has come to free the state from mafia rule and corruption.

In this series, in the meeting organized in Jamalpur of East Bardhaman district, Amit Shah also made a sharp attack on the Mamata government. He claimed that BJP will get lead on more than 110 seats in the first phase of voting and the results on May 4 will be in favor of BJP. Making law and order the main issue, Shah said crimes against women have increased in the state and security will be ensured if the BJP government is formed.

The Union Home Minister accused TMC of indulging in politics of violence and intimidation during the elections and said that BJP workers cannot be intimidated. He also said that there is a wave of change in the entire state and the people have made up their mind about change of power this time.

This time in Bengal elections, issues like development, law and order, identity and centre-state relations have emerged as prominent. On one hand, Mamata Banerjee is basing her government’s performance on regional identity, while BJP is promising leadership change and strong law and order.

As the voting dates are approaching, the election rhetoric is becoming more intense. Now everyone’s eyes are on the upcoming phases of voting and the results on May 4, which will decide in whose hands the power in Bengal will go.