Fast Summary
- Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of Trinamool Congress (TMC), addressed a massive gathering in Kolkata during the annual Martyr’s Day (Shahid Dibas) celebration on July 21, 2025.
- Banerjee pledged to make BJP chant “Joy Bangla” after the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections and predicted BJP woudl not cross 50 seats in the polls.
- He accused BJP of attempting to detain Bengali-speaking people and vowed to defeat them democratically.
- TMC shifted its electoral slogan from “Khela hobe” (Game on) in the previous elections to “Poddo phool upre fela hobe” (Will rip out the lotus flower-a reference to BJP’s symbol) for 2026.
- He accused Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of labeling Bengali-speaking individuals as Bangladeshis, claiming discriminatory comments were unaddressed by BJP.
- Banerjee alleged that the Union Government misuses agencies like ED (Enforcement Directorate) and EC (Election Commission) against opposition leaders and voters.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Abhishek Banerjee’s statements mark a strategic intensification of TMC’s stance ahead of crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal. Highlighting linguistic identity and humanity as key values underscores an attempt to galvanize regional pride against perceived threats from BJP policies.The shift from slogans like “Khela hobe” to a direct critique targeting BJP’s electoral symbol indicates sharper polarization.
Claims accusing misuse of central agencies like ED and EC reflect ongoing concerns about institutional impartiality raised by many opposition parties nationwide. If substantiated or widely believed, thes allegations could deepen political divisions between State and Central governments. While rhetoric around identity politics may energize specific voter bases, its implications for social cohesion remain significant amidst India’s diverse landscape.Read More Here: the Hindu