215-plus seats, war against 'fake voters': Mamata Banerjee sets tone for Bengal elections

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set a target for the Trinamool Congress to win at least 215 seats in the state Assembly. (PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has hit the ground running with a year to go for the Assembly elections due to be held in the state in 2026.

Addressing a massive meeting of party workers at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, Mamata set the party a target of 215-plus seats in the 294-member Assembly, one more than its tally of 214 in the 2021 polls.

"We should get at least one more seat than what we got in 2021. We should ensure 215 seats and try for more. We should ensure that candidates of the BJP, the CPI(M), and Congress lose or forfeit their deposits in the elections," said Banerjee.

As part of the plan to achieve the target, Mamata placed the physical verification of voters' list to check for manipulations right at the top of the party's list of priorities.

Alleging that the BJP had "manipulated" the voters' list with "the blessing of the Election Commission of India" in Maharashtra and Delhi, Mamata asked party workers and leaders to thoroughly check the voters' list at every booth and ensure there is no manipulation.

"Booth workers should start doing this immediately. District presidents should oversee the process and give back feedback within seven days," Banerjee said as she also announced a high-level committee comprising MPs, MLAs, and other leaders to oversee the voter list verification process.

"Parties (Opposition) in Maharashtra could not catch this, parties in Delhi could not catch this. But we did. That is how (the BJP) won in Maharashtra and Delhi. After Maharashtra and Delhi, now you are targeting Bengal. We will give you a befitting reply. Once again, ‘khela hobe’ (games will be played). I ask workers to hit the ball harder this time," Banerjee said.

Mamata further accused the BJP of trying to influence the Election Commission of India. "I had respect for the Election Commission. But now, it seems they are filled with BJP-minded people. The new chief Election Commissioner (Gyanesh Kumar) used to be a secretary in the co-operation department under the Union Home Minister. Don’t forget we can also sit for dharna near the Election Commission office in Delhi," she added.

Sounding a warning shot to errant party leaders, Mamata said that while those doing good work would be rewarded, non-performers would be dealt with mercilessly.

"I will promote those who are doing good work. I will have no mercy for those who are just giving lip service and not doing any work," she said.