West Bengal Elections 2026: The poll campaigns intensify as PM Modi and CM Mamata hold rival rallies, TMC and BJP trade charges over identity politics, welfare and law and order.
West Bengal Elections 2026 Final Campaign: West Bengal poll will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. (IMAGE: PTI)
West Bengal Elections 2026: As the date for casting vote in West Bengal nears, the number of campaigns have picked up the pace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi often having four rallies besides Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda. Besides the BJP leaders, the TMC leader and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also held multiple rallies.
Assembly elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and 29 and votes will be counted on May 4.
Let us look at the key highlights of these campaign
1. Shift from governance to identity politics
The series of campaigns saw a shift away from traditional issues such as jobs and corruption. The latest issues that were picked up included infiltration, border and language.
PM Modi recently attacked the TMC after a Women Reservation Bill was defeated in the Parliament. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being “anti-women”.
Besides, there have been concerns over voter roll deletions and citizenship-linked anxieties since the beginning of Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Nearly 91 lakh voters were excluded from the electoral rolls in West Bengal following the Special Intensive Revision exercise in the state. Later, around seven lakh new voters were added to West Bengal’s electoral rolls just days ahead of the first phase of the Assembly elections.
Of the new electorate, around 3.22 lakh voters will vote in the first phase, while the remaining 3.88 lakh voters will vote in the second and final phase of the election, a senior poll body official told news agency PTI.
2. Direct TMC vs BJP contest
While the Left and Congress are also in the fray, the contest in the state is between TMC and BJP.
3. Competing narratives & promises
BJP campaign focus:
Law & order
Anti-corruption stance
Illegal immigration and citizenship
Welfare promises like cash support for women
TMC campaign focus:
Welfare schemes continuity
Regional pride and Bengali identity
Countering BJP’s “outsider” narrative
April 21, 2026, 15:17 IST
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