Kolkata
oi-Swastika Sruti
West Bengal’s former chief minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee raised the heat on the BJP and ECI in a rally organized at Serampore, Hooghly on Saturday.
West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee criticized the ECI’s SIR exercise at a Serampore rally, calling CEC Gyanesh Kumar “Vanish Kumar” and demanding his resignation. She also stated “You captured Bengal, we will capture Delhi” and discussed opposition unity regarding the ECI.
While addressing the gathering, Mamata Banerjee said, “You captured Bengal, we will capture Delhi,” while taking on the BJP in regard to the SIR of electoral rolls. It should be noted that the SIR controversy was in progress between the political parties and ECI, and Mamata Banerjee made her statement during this controversy.
Mamata Attacks ECI Over SIR
Banerjee had claimed that the primary reason for the conduct of the SIR exercise in West Bengal was the attempt by BJP to derive political mileage from it. She has been continuously criticizing this exercise, citing her concerns about the voters whose names might get impacted in this process of revision of electoral roll. In Saturday’s rally, Banerjee once again attacked Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling him as “Vanish Kumar,” and demanded his resignation.
VIDEO | Hooghly: Former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee targets BJP at rally, says, “You captured Bengal, we will capture Delhi.”
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/oZmXvr0N1n
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2026
Banerjee claimed that her agitation will continue until either Kumar resigns on his own or he is forced to step down from the office. Banerjee also claimed that the act of Election Commission was done in view of the coming political battle in West Bengal.
‘You Captured Bengal, We Will Capture Delhi’
Banerjee’s comments marked a sharp political message aimed at the BJP.
While attacking the BJP over the SIR controversy, she said, “You captured Bengal, we will capture Delhi.”
Her remarks come against the backdrop of growing opposition coordination over the Election Commission row, with TMC and Left leaders discussing joint action despite their longstanding political differences.
Opposition Parties Discuss Joint Action
Banerjee also spoke about efforts by opposition parties to coordinate on the issue involving the Election Commission.
She said political differences should not prevent parties from coming together when they believe a common issue needs to be raised. Banerjee referred to her conversation with CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby and said opposition parties were discussing a joint approach.
She also referred to a proposed INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on September 30, where the issue is expected to be discussed. Reports said Banerjee had also spoken with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as opposition parties considered coordinated action over the Election Commission row.
‘We Will Fight Unitedly’, Says Mamata
Banerjee opined that even though opposition political parties differed ideologically and politically from each other, they could join hands.
According to her, the attention must remain on the aspect of safeguarding the democratic right and election issues.
“We will fight unitedly,” TMC chief said, adding that all the opposition parties need to unite over the matter.
These are being made against the backdrop of political parties openly discussing the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR system. The Election Commission of India has also clarified on the issue of its functioning and electoral technology.
During her Hooghly speech, Banerjee also raised questions about the police arrangements around her rally.
She alleged that some TMC supporters in Serampore were arrested from their homes ahead of the meeting to prevent them from attending the event.
