Rahul Gandhi equates Mamata with Modi on corruption plank
The Statesman | 27 April 2026
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) during campaign rallies in Hooghly’s Serampore and later at Kolkata’s Shaheed Minar, accusing the party of corruption, patronage politics and fostering violence in the state.
In a combative speech, he also drew a parallel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that both regimes thrive on similar practices. Addressing a gathering in Serampore, Mr Gandhi claimed that corruption at the Centre under the BJP and in West Bengal under the TMC were “two sides of the same coin”. “If Narendra Modi spreads hatred in the country, the Trinamul does the same in Bengal. If Modi is involved in corruption, Mamata Banerjee is no less,” he said, escalating his attack on both parties. The Congress leader alleged that the rise of the BJP in Bengal was facilitated by the TMC’s governance failures. “It is because of Trinamul that the BJP has found space in Bengal. Had there been no corruption and had incidents like RG Kar been handled properly, BJP would not have gained ground here,” he said, referring to recent controversies that have triggered political debates in the state.
Mr Gandhi reiterated that the Congress was the only party fighting the BJP on ideological grounds. “We are fighting the RSS and the BJP. Trinamul does not fight them directly,” he claimed, adding that there exists a tacit understanding between the two parties. He alleged that Central agencies such as the CBI and the ED are selectively used against opposition leaders, while sparing the TMC leadership.
Referring to his own legal battles, Mr Gandhi said he continues to face multiple cases and repeated questioning. “I am out on bail. My Lok Sabha membership was taken away. There are 36 cases against me. I have been interrogated for over 50 hours. But how many cases has Narendra Modi filed against Mamata Banerjee? How many hours has she been questioned?” he asked, questioning the perceived disparity in investigative action.
At the Shaheed Minar rally, Mr Gandhi sharpened his rhetoric further, accusing both the BJP and the TMC of spreading violence and undermining democratic institutions. “We undertake a Bharat Jodo Yatra, while the BJP is engaged in a Bharat Todo Yatra. Violence is their politics, and the same is being replicated by Trinamul in Bengal,” he said. He also invoked historical figures to underline his point, referring to leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and others, who, he said, never compromise their principles. The Congress leader emphasised that his party’s fight was rooted in ideology and aimed at protecting constitutional values.
Targeting the state government on economic and industrial issues, Mr Gandhi alleged that Bengal, once a major industrial hub, has witnessed a steady decline. “Factories have shut down, jobs have vanished, and the industrial belt along the Ganga is struggling,” he said.
He further accused the TMC of running a “syndicate raj”, where benefits and opportunities are accessible only through political connections. Raising concerns over women’s safety, he alleged that crimes against women continue under both BJP-ruled states and in West Bengal. He cited recent incidents to argue that governance failures have left women vulnerable. Mr Gandhi concluded by asserting that only the Congress has the capability to defeat the BJP nationally, while also holding regional parties like the TMC accountable.