Bengal Polls 2026: Mamata's Survival, BJP's Surge, SIR at Core
CCNBC TV18•21-03-2026, 15:28
Bengal Polls 2026: Mamata's Survival, BJP's Surge, SIR at Core
- •West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled for April 23 and 29, 2026, with results on May 4, setting up a fierce contest between TMC and BJP.
- •The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, finalized in February 2026, reduced the electorate by over 63 lakh deletions and 60 lakh adjudications, sparking controversy.
- •TMC alleges SIR disenfranchises minorities, Dalits, women, and Bengali-speaking communities, with Mamata Banerjee leading protests against perceived demographic engineering.
- •BJP defends SIR as essential to purge illegal immigrants and fictitious entries, ensuring fair elections, despite unintended impacts on groups like Matuas.
- •Mamata Banerjee's welfare schemes (Lakshmir Bhandar, Yuva Sathi) and focus on Bengali identity are central to her bid for a fourth term, while BJP seeks to expand its eastern India narrative.