‘Mota bhai threatening officers, cutting votes of women’: Mamata says ‘BJP will bury Bengal’s identity if TMC loses’
The Statesman | 6 April 2026
With the West Bengal Assembly elections drawing closer, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharpened her attack on the BJP, warning that the state’s linguistic and cultural identity is at risk if her party loses power.
Addressing a rally in Samsherganj, Mamata claimed that a BJP victory would harm the Bengali language. “If the Trinamool Congress is not voted back to power, the BJP will bury the Bengali language,” she said, framing the election as a fight to protect Bengal’s identity.
Aiming at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mamata accused him of intimidating officials and interfering in the electoral process.
“A person has come here and is threatening officers. ‘Mota bhai’ is cutting the votes of women. If you have the courage, fight openly,” she said, using a pointed tone against the BJP leadership.
Positioning her campaign as inclusive, Mamata said she was in the region to support her party’s candidates and speak for people across religious lines. “Those who work against us, we don’t consider them. I have come here to support my party candidates and speak for people of all religions,” she said.
The CM promised targeted relief for farmers, announcing that a separate budget for the sector would be introduced if her party returns to power.
She also alleged administrative disruption, claiming that hundreds of officials had been removed to stall governance in the state.
“Five hundred officers have been removed from here so that Bengal’s work stops. You can halt it for a month, but after the elections, all work will resume,” she said.
Mamata further accused authorities of voter suppression, alleging that names were being struck off the electoral rolls to intimidate citizens.
“If you are striking off someone’s name, you are trying to intimidate them,” she added.