From BJP’s ‘Jai Ma Kali’ to Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Durga Angan’: Religious symbolism takes centre-stage ahead of 2026 West Bengal polls

During her speech at the annual Martyr's Day rally in Kolkata on July 21 (Monday), Banerjee questioned the BJP’s ‘sudden emphasis’ on Ma Kali and Ma Durga

The political landscape in West Bengal is heating up ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in the state, with religious symbolism and cultural identity becoming key battlegrounds between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of the proposed ‘Durgan Angan’, a temple-like complex dedicated to Ma Durga, has stirred political debate and is seen as a direct response to the BJP’s evolving campaign language that increasingly invokes Bengali religious icons with ‘Jai Ma Kali’ and ‘Jai Ma Durga’ slogans.

During her speech at the annual Martyr's Day rally in Kolkata on July 21 (Monday), Banerjee questioned the BJP’s ‘sudden emphasis’ on Ma Kali and Ma Durga, asking, “Why is it that you suddenly start remembering Ma Kali and Ma Durga only during the elections?

She said, “Ma Durga is our revered goddess, and Durga Puja has even received international recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage [from UNESCO].” She then promised the creation of ‘Durga Angan’ as a permanent site where people can visit and experience it throughout the year” just as Jagannath Dham.

According to News18 citing political observers, this announcement is a strategic counter to BJP’s shift from ‘Jai Shri Ram’ – once the party’s dominant campaign chant in Bengal – to slogans like ‘Jai Ma Kali’ and 'Jai Ma Durga’.

The BJP’s attempt to connect with the Bengali electorate by invoking ‘Matru Shakti’ – mother goddess symbolism – has not gone unnoticed by the TMC. Now, Mamata Banerjee appears determined to reclaim this cultural-religious space through her political messaging with Benga;’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions.

TMC insiders have been cited to say that ‘Durga Angan’ is more than a religious project. It’s a political statement aimed at asserting Bengali identity and countering BJP’s accusations of minority appeasement, the analysts have been quoted as saying. They say, the proposed Durga complex will play a central role in Banerjee’s outreach to Hindu voters, just like the Jagannath Temple initiative in Digha.

Political analysts cited by News18 expect the 2026 elections to revolve around three major themes: Bengali asmita (identity), allegations of inclusion of bogus voters, and religious polarisation with invoking religious symbols like Ram, Ma Kali, Ma Durga, and the announcement of temple-building.

Banerjee has also launched a ‘Bengali language movement’, set to begin on July 27. She has accused the BJP of discriminating against Bengali-speaking citizens by branding them as illegal migrants and issuing NRC notices in the BJP-ruled states.

Declaring a new ‘Bhasha Andolan’, she said TMC MPs will stage a dharna in Delhi. TMC has said it will deliver speeches in Bengali in Parliament if necessary.

The Chief Minister also raised alarms over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, alleging that the BJP is manipulating voter lists – deleting genuine names and adding bogus ones. She warned of mass protest if similar attempts are made in Bengal.

Extending her political offensive, Banerjee took aim at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of meddling in Bengal’s affairs and announcing plans for a TMC-led protest in Assam.

The BJP has countered by accusing the TMC of compromising national security, alleging that Rohingyas are being allowed entry into the state. Bengal BJP chief Shamil Bhattacharya also questioned the TMC’s linguistic pride, citing the 2018 Daribhit incident, where students demanding Bengali teachers were allegedly shot.

The News18 analysis says that Banerjee’s ‘Durga Angan’ project and language movement mark a strong shift in TMC’s strategy, placing Bengali culture and religious identity at the forefront of its campaign narrative, setting the stage for the upcoming elections in the state.