Mamata Banerjee 2026: West Bengal CM faces toughest electoral battle yet

A decade and a half in power, now under siege

Mamata Banerjee, often described as India's fiercest female politician, is staring at the most existential challenge of her career. The 2026 West Bengal assembly elections are shaping up to be a make-or-break moment for the 71-year-old chief minister.

Banerjee has ruled the state for 15 years, but her grip on power is slipping. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has poured resources into the state, targeting her government over corruption allegations, a deteriorating law and order situation, and what it calls 'appeasement politics'.

BJP's high-voltage campaign

The BJP has left no stone unturned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have held multiple rallies across Bengal, focusing on the Sandeshkhali issue — where women accused local Trinamool Congress leaders of sexual harassment and land grab.

The party is also banking on the organisational skills of its state unit, led by Sukanta Majumdar. It has formed alliances with smaller parties to consolidate the anti-Trinamool vote.

Banerjee, however, remains a formidable campaigner. She has been addressing multiple rallies a day, often without a microphone, accusing the BJP of trying to destabilise her government through central agencies.

Cracks within the Trinamool Congress

Internal dissent has added to Banerjee's troubles. Several senior leaders have either left the party or been sidelined. The most notable exit was that of former state minister Suvendu Adhikari, who joined the BJP in 2021 and is now the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

Reports suggest that some sitting MLAs are in touch with the BJP, fearing a wave against the ruling party. Banerjee has tried to counter this by projecting herself as the sole face of the party, often saying, 'I am the Trinamool Congress.'

Key issues that will decide the verdict

The 2026 election is not just about personalities. Several ground-level issues are shaping voter sentiment. Unemployment among the youth is a major concern, with the state's jobless rate higher than the national average. The BJP has promised 2 crore jobs if voted to power.

Another flashpoint is the alleged corruption in the recruitment of school teachers and government employees. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing multiple cases, and the BJP has used this to paint the Trinamool government as corrupt.

On the other hand, Banerjee's government has highlighted its welfare schemes — from free healthcare to subsidised food grains — as a shield against anti-incumbency.

The women's vote factor

Banerjee has traditionally enjoyed strong support from women voters. Her government launched the 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme, which gives Rs 1,000 per month to women from poor families. The BJP has promised a similar scheme but with a higher payout.

However, the Sandeshkhali allegations have dented her image among women. The opposition has used this to question her commitment to women's safety.

What the numbers say

The 2021 assembly elections saw the Trinamool Congress win 213 seats, with the BJP at 77. But since then, the BJP has gained ground in by-elections and local body polls. Most political analysts believe the margin will be much narrower this time.

Some exit polls, which have been banned from publication until the last phase of voting, are said to indicate a hung assembly. Banerjee has dismissed such predictions, claiming her party will cross 200 seats again.

Election officials have reported a high voter turnout in the first few phases, with many first-time voters eager to cast their ballots. The final phase of voting is scheduled for next week.

The counting of votes will begin three days after the last phase. All eyes are on how Bengal — a state that has often defied national trends — will vote this time.