Mass Defections in South 24 Parganas: Suvendu Adhikari Claims Cracks in TMC Stronghold

Kolkata, April 2026 : In a significant political development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday claimed that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is witnessing a major erosion of its grassroots base in South 24 Parganas, traditionally considered one of its strongholds.

At a joining event held in the presence of Adhikari, hundreds of TMC leaders and workers from the Canning and Gosaba regions switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The induction ceremony took place at the BJP’s Salt Lake office, where leaders ranging from block presidents and regional heads to पंचायत-level representatives formally joined the saffron party.

Welcoming the defectors, Adhikari described them as “clean” individuals, asserting that they had no involvement in corruption, electoral malpractice, or intimidation. He emphasized that the BJP is carefully vetting entrants before accepting them into the party.

“We are inducting only those credible individuals who have no allegations of corruption, rigging, or terror against them, after proper consultation within the organisation,” Adhikari said while handing over party flags to the new entrants.

He further launched a sharp political attack on the TMC, predicting a complete electoral rout for the party in the region. “From Sandeshkhali to Bhangar, the TMC will not win a single seat,” he claimed, expressing confidence that the BJP would register a sweeping victory in South 24 Parganas in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Taking aim at the TMC leadership, Adhikari alleged that long-time party workers are disillusioned due to what he termed as “injustice” within the party ranks. According to him, loyal grassroots workers who helped build the organisation through years of effort are now being sidelined.

“Those who built the party with their blood and sweat are being pushed into political exile, while inexperienced and undeserving individuals are being given prominence,” he said, suggesting growing internal dissatisfaction within the ruling party.

Adhikari also made explosive allegations regarding the distribution of party tickets, claiming that aspirants were being asked to pay large sums of money. “Some were asked to pay ₹65 lakh, while others were demanded between ₹1 crore and ₹2 crore for tickets,” he alleged, without providing specific evidence.

He asserted that the recent defections would significantly boost the BJP’s prospects in the Gosaba-Canning belt, calling the development a turning point in Bengal politics. “This is the beginning of TMC’s decline. The impact of these developments will be visible in the upcoming elections,” he said.

The BJP leader concluded by expressing strong confidence that the party’s growing support base in the region would translate into electoral success, stating that no force would be able to stop the BJP from emerging victorious in South 24 Parganas in the 2026 Assembly polls.

As political activity intensifies in the run-up to the elections, such shifts in allegiance are likely to further heat up the contest between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal.