West Bengal elections 2026: BJP wants to forcefully rig elections, says CM Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, April 30, 2026: Amid high-stakes voting in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging it was attempting to “forcefully rig” the polls.
Addressing reporters while campaigning in her Bhabanipur constituency, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed that central security forces and Election Commission observers brought in from outside the state were interfering in the democratic process and acting at the behest of the BJP. “Votes will be cast by voters, not by the police or security forces,” Banerjee said. “This is a festival of democracy, but they have completely ruined it. The intention is very clear that the BJP wants to forcefully rig the election.”
She further alleged instances of violence against TMC workers and described the actions of some observers as “hooliganism” and even likened them to “terrorism” in certain reports. Banerjee claimed that outsiders were visiting police stations and creating undue pressure, undermining the sanctity of the electoral exercise.
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, covering all 294 seats, were conducted in two phases – April 23 (152 seats) and April 29 (142 seats). Phase 1 recorded an exceptionally high voter turnout of around 92%, with Phase 2 also witnessing strong participation. Vote counting for both phases is scheduled for May 4, 2026. In the 2021 elections, TMC secured a comfortable majority with 215 seats, while BJP emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats.
The BJP and its leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, dismissed Banerjee’s charges as baseless attempts to create confusion and fear among voters. They accused the TMC of its own history of booth-level intimidation and violence, arguing that central forces were deployed precisely to ensure free and fair polling in a state long plagued by political clashes. Reports of minor incidents and mutual allegations of malpractice surfaced from several booths, though the Election Commission is yet to issue a detailed statement on large-scale irregularities.
Political analysts view these claims as part of the intense pre-result narrative in Bengal’s highly polarized politics. While TMC seeks a fourth consecutive term amid anti-incumbency concerns, BJP aims to capitalize on issues like governance, infiltration, and local law-and-order problems. The high turnout suggests robust voter engagement, but the final outcome on May 4 will determine whether Banerjee’s allegations hold water or were tactical rhetoric.