Rajnath Singh Slams Mamata Banerjee at Barrackpore Rally, Alleges Governance Failure and Betrayal

Barrackpore, April 2026 : In a high-voltage election rally on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of fostering “oppression” and “betrayal” during its tenure. Addressing a massive gathering in the industrial belt of Barrackpore, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has systematically eroded the economic potential of the state over its three consecutive terms in power.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd, Singh directly targeted the TMC’s popular 2021 campaign slogan, “Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chay” (Bengal wants its own daughter), and framed the current political scenario as a betrayal of public trust. He said that while the people of West Bengal had elected Banerjee three times with faith and hope, the outcome, according to him, has been disappointing.

“Mamata Didi, I respect you. You have served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal three times. But what have you delivered? You have subjected the people of Bengal to injustice and oppression. Compared to other states in India, Bengal has been pushed backward. The TMC government has worsened the state’s condition over its three terms. Bengal chose its ‘own daughter’ three times, but that daughter has betrayed the state,” Singh said.

He emphasized that while many Indian states are progressing rapidly in terms of development and investment, West Bengal has lagged behind. Drawing attention to the declining industrial climate in the state, Singh alleged that the TMC government has deliberately created an environment that discourages business and investment.

“Across the country, industrial growth and investments are rising. However, there is one state that continues to fall behind in attracting investment, and that is West Bengal. This is because the TMC government, under its current leadership, has failed to create a conducive environment for investors. Not only are new investments not coming in, but even existing industries are leaving the state. Those who once considered investing in Bengal are now hesitant due to the prevailing conditions,” he added.

Following the rally, Singh also participated in a roadshow, drawing significant public attention and support from party workers and local residents. The event marked a major show of strength for the BJP in the region as it seeks to expand its political footprint in the state.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, who is contesting from the Kharagpur Sadar Assembly seat, also took aim at the ruling TMC. He accused the party of relying on intimidation and suppression of opposition voices to secure electoral victories.

Interacting with journalists, Ghosh expressed confidence that the electorate would reject the TMC in the upcoming elections. He claimed that the party’s influence would diminish rapidly as polling day approaches.

“TMC has always tried to win elections by threatening people and silencing opposition. They are attempting the same tactics again, but the situation is changing. Within a week, their presence will fade. Their leaders will retreat, and their influence on the streets will disappear,” he asserted.

West Bengal is set to witness a crucial electoral contest, with voting for the 294-member विधानसभा (Legislative Assembly) scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

As political rhetoric intensifies, both the BJP and TMC are ramping up their campaigns, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election that could significantly shape the state’s political future.