Fight misinformation, don’t yield even an inch of social media space to BJP: Abhishek to TMC ‘digital warriors’
Times of India | 13 January 2026
Kolkata: With political discourse shifting online ahead of the Bengal assembly polls, Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday urged the party's IT cell to counter "BJP's misinformation campaign against Bengal", alleging discrimination against the state and Bengali-speakers.
Citing SIR, ED searches at I-PAC office, and divisive propaganda by BJP netas, Banerjee directed the party's digital cell members to prepare an immediate 5-day action plan, followed by a detailed 100 to 110 day timeline, stressing that the party could not afford to concede "even an inch of online space". Banerjee was addressing IT cell members, student netas and party functionaries at the ‘Ami Banglar Digital Joddha Conclave' at Milan Mela on Monday evening. "It is easy to counter lies, but we have to tell people what the truth is," he said.
Calling for a landslide victory, Banerjee told the digital team: "In 2021, I said we had to get 214 seats. This time, we have to get 250 seats. I will ensure BJP goes below 50 seats. But for this, you will have to work systematically."
"Post about the revolutionary development work done by state govt. Find out the works done area-wise and how much funds were spent and let people know," he said. "Don't bother about which neta is doing what. Use your presence of mind and use your phone. Take testimonials from people about the development work in their area and post online. Ask them what they think of BJP and share on social media. Do Facebook Lives and share with people," he added.
Alleging sustained hostility and non-cooperation by BJP-led Centre, Banerjee said: "Mamata Banerjee is doing development work despite financial and administrative hurdles. Highlight welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, housing projects and road constructions. Post all you can about development work at grassroots. That is enough to defeat them."
Urging party workers to reach out to voters through platforms such as X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Facebook Live and WhatsApp, Banerjee said: "Centre has held back Rs 680 crore of funds for every assembly constituency... If we get the funds, we can do more development work. Go and tell the people about this discrimination."
The Diamond Harbour MP raised questions about ED searches at I-PAC premises, asking why similar action had not been taken at its offices in other states. "I-PAC has 3 directors. The other two are based in Delhi and Hyderabad. Why were the offices there not searched? They (ED team) came here to steal information."
Banerjee, however, also cautioned party workers against the use of abusive language. "We will do everything in a rational way. We won't belittle anybody," he said.