‘BJP struck Rs 1,000 crore deal to oust TMC’: Mamata calls party ‘more dangerous than a snake’
The Statesman | 13 April 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday sharpened her attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a “Rs 1,000-crore deal” to unseat the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and divide voters ahead of the Assembly elections. Addressing multiple rallies across Bankura, Onda and Khandaghosh, Banerjee accused the BJP of “dangerous politics”, voter manipulation, and administrative interference.
Speaking at a rally in Bankura, Banerjee claimed the BJP had entered into a massive financial arrangement aimed at defeating the TMC by polarising voters. She also said the BJP was “more dangerous than a venomous snake.”
“They struck a Rs 1,000-crore deal to divide people and remove us from power,” she alleged, adding that attempts were being made to dismiss related evidence as “AI-generated”.
In an apparent reference to a controversy involving former TMC leader Humayun Kabir, Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to split minority votes, while also claiming that the party was fuelling divisions between communities.
“You have seen how they entered into a Rs 1,000 crore deal to divide the minority voters. Now they are claiming that the video clip concerned is fake and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated. But the person who made the video claims that it is not fake. How much will you try to cover up things? You have a lot of money. But why are you not reducing the prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas?” said the Chief Minister.
At Onda, the Chief Minister raised concerns over alleged deletions from electoral rolls.
“Nearly 90 lakh names are being deleted. We must check whose names are being removed and ensure EVM machines are verified,” she told the gathering, urging voters not to support rival parties.
She further accused the BJP of attempting to bring in “outsiders” while simultaneously removing names of local voters.
She said, “BJP wants to make ‘Sonar Bangla’ but also deletes Bengali’s names and bring non-Bengali voters from outside.”
Targeting remarks made by the Prime Minister during a recent rally, Banerjee dismissed BJP’s promise to implement the 7th Pay Commission in the state.
CM said, “They are liars. They say that if their government comes to power, they will implement the 7th Pay Commission. At least stay informed, during our Budget session in February, we have already announced the 7th Pay Commission…”
The Chief Minister also warned that upcoming delimitation exercises and the possibility of NRC implementation could have serious consequences.
“They are trying to divide Bengal for political gain. In the coming days, people may lose their identity, shelter, and security,” she said, alleging that BJP policies could leave many without homes.
With the Assembly elections approaching, Banerjee’s rallies signal an intensifying political battle in West Bengal, with sharp exchanges expected to continue between the TMC and BJP leadership in the coming days.