New Delhi: Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the political atmosphere in Bengal has become so tense following the Assembly election that she is unable to step out of her home, accusing the BJP of creating an atmosphere of “anarchy” and targeting Trinamool leaders.
Banerjee made the remarks at an INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, where opposition parties discussed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and their concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission. Her comments come amid a series of confrontations involving Trinamool leaders in West Bengal.
The latest political row was intensified by an incident in Hooghly on September 26, when stones and eggs were allegedly thrown at the vehicle of TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh in Uttarpara. Ghosh was travelling to Serampore for a rally addressed by Banerjee. His car’s rear windshield was damaged, while those responsible for the attack had not been identified. TMC leaders alleged BJP involvement, while BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty described the incident as a spontaneous public reaction. Police had not established responsibility for the attack.
Banerjee has also stepped up her criticism of the Election Commission over SIR, alleging that the exercise resulted in eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls. She has demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and said opposition parties would continue their campaign over the issue. These allegations have been rejected by the poll panel and government sources, which have defended the electoral roll revision process.
The SIR dispute has brought several opposition parties together despite longstanding political differences. Banerjee has held discussions with Congress leaders and CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby as the INDIA bloc seeks a coordinated response to the Election Commission controversy.
The BJP, meanwhile, has portrayed the protests and attacks involving TMC leaders as expressions of public anger rather than evidence of a coordinated campaign. The competing claims have added another layer to an already bitter political contest in Bengal following the 2026 Assembly election.
At Wednesday’s meeting, opposition leaders also discussed demands concerning voter list transparency, appeals against deletions and safeguards for eligible voters. The Election Commission has maintained that its procedures remain in place and has defended the SIR exercise amid the opposition’s criticism.
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