Mamata Banerjee Bolsters TMC Campaign in Bhowanipore, Focuses on Voter List Vigilance

Kolkata, West Bengal – Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday intensified preparations for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, directing Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in her Bhabanipur constituency to closely monitor strong rooms housing electronic voting machines (EVMs) after polling concludes. This directive comes amidst concerns stemming from the 2021 assembly polls, where Banerjee faced defeat in Nandigram before securing victory in a by-election in Bhabanipore.

EVM Security and Past Allegations

Addressing TMC workers in a closed-door meeting, Banerjee referenced her previous allegations of EVM manipulation following the 2021 Nandigram result. She reportedly cautioned them about potential attempts by opposition parties to disrupt the electoral process, specifically citing the possibility of engineered power cuts to facilitate EVM tampering. A TMC leader, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Banerjee urged vigilance against such tactics. The Telegraph India reported on these instructions.

Voter List Concerns and Legal Assistance

The meeting also focused on addressing concerns surrounding deletions from the Bhowanipore voter list. Approximately 47,000 names were removed during the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including deceased and absentee voters. Banerjee instructed party workers to act swiftly upon the announcement of the supplementary voters’ list on Monday, offering legal assistance to any voters whose names are missing to ensure they can appeal through the established tribunals. The Times of India detailed this aspect of the campaign strategy.

Campaign Strategy and Local Outreach

The TMC’s campaign strategy for Bhowanipore will prioritize an intensive, month-long door-to-door outreach program, leveraging the party’s extensive network of ground-level workers. Party leaders acknowledged trailing the BJP in four of Bhowanipore’s eight civic wards during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and Banerjee reportedly criticized local councillors in those areas for insufficient engagement with residents, particularly non-Bengali-speaking communities. The campaign slogan, “Unnoyon Ghore Ghore, Ghorer Meye Bhowanipore-e,” emphasizes development at the household level and Banerjee’s connection to the constituency.

Political Context and Opposition Challenge

The Bhowanipore constituency is part of the Kolkata South Lok Sabha seat currently held by the TMC. Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP MLA who defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021, is contesting against her in both Bhowanipore and Nandigram in the upcoming elections. Adhikari has publicly expressed confidence in defeating Banerjee again, claiming he will win by a margin of at least 25,000 votes. Abhishek Banerjee, TMC national general secretary, has countered this, stating the party aims to win the seat by a margin of at least 60,000 votes.

Banerjee’s Broader Campaign Schedule

While Banerjee initiated the TMC’s 2026 campaign with the Bhowanipore meeting, she is scheduled to launch her campaign in North Bengal on Monday. Mamata Banerjee has served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011.