RG Kar, Law College rape cases put Mamata Banerjee’s credibility at stake in poll-bound Bengal

Repeated failures could reshape West Bengal’s political future, testing whether Mamata’s charisma can still outweigh perceptions of a crumbling administration.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, swept the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, cementing its dominance. Women voters, particularly, played a pivotal role in Banerjee’s victory, drawn to her image as a fierce advocate for the marginalised. However, as the 2026 elections approach, the political landscape has become increasingly uncertain, with multiple incidents casting a dark shadow over TMC governance.

High-profile cases such as the gangrape at South Calcutta Law College and the RG Kar rape-murder case have ignited public outrage, questioning the party’s ability to ensure safety and justice, especially for women. These incidents, along with accusations of systemic failures and internal discord, have significantly damaged the TMC’s credibility. The involvement of TMC-affiliated individuals in these crimes has heightened concerns about law and order, eroding public trust in the government. Adding to the growing discontent are financial irregularities like the school jobs scam, which resulted in the dismissal of over 26,000 teachers, and the non-payment of dearness allowances despite Supreme Court orders.

This series of governance failures has emboldened the opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to capitalise on public discontent. Internal rifts within the TMC, exemplified by conflicting statements from leaders like Mahua Moitra, Kalyan Banerjee, and Madan Mitra, further undermine its position. With women’s safety becoming a central issue, the loyalty of the party’s female voter base hangs in the balance. As the 2026 elections loom, these failures could reshape West Bengal’s political future, testing whether Mamata’s charisma can still outweigh perceptions of a crumbling administration.

Law College Gangrape Case Erodes TMC’s Credibility

The alleged gangrape of a 24-year-old student at South Calcutta Law College on June 25, 2025, has become a flashpoint in the state’s political landscape. The prime accused, Manojit Mishra, a former student and general secretary of the TMC-affiliated student union (TMCP), was arrested alongside two current students and a security guard. Mishra had a criminal history, including charges of attempted murder, sexual assault, and extortion, yet no significant police action was taken against him prior to the incident. His appointment as a contractual non-teaching staff member at the college, allegedly facilitated by TMC-affiliated leaders, highlights a troubling pattern of political patronage.

The survivor’s complaint detailed a brutal assault in the college’s guard room, where she was raped, beaten, filmed, and threatened into silence. Mishra’s political connections have intensified public outrage, with BJP leaders accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of shielding criminals. BJP leaders pointed to Mishra’s photographs with senior TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, to argue that the party’s complicity in the crime was clear.

Mishra is not the only example highlighting the TMC’s tendency to shield alleged abusers. Former TMC Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal, arrested in connection with the cattle smuggling case, was later released on bail. Recently, he made headlines again after allegedly threatening a local police officer with sexually suggestive and intimidating remarks about the officer’s family. No serious action was taken against Mondal, reinforcing the perception of impunity under TMC rule.

RG Kar Case Continues to Haunt TMC

The RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case of August 2024 remains a thorn in the flesh for the TMC. The incident of a postgraduate trainee doctor raped and murdered in a seminar hall, had sparked nationwide protests. While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a suspect, Sanjay Roy, there are suspicions that he may not have been the sole perpetrator. Allegations surfaced that the West Bengal government and Kolkata Police attempted to suppress evidence, with reports of construction being initiated at the crime scene to obstruct the investigation. The CBI reported receiving inadequate documentation from the state government, further fuelling public distrust.

The arrest of the college’s former principal, Sandeep Ghosh, highlighted institutional failures, with accusations that his administration enabled a lax environment that allowed the crime to occur. The TMC’s handling of the case, including Mamata’s delayed response, drew sharp criticism from the opposition, which accused her of prioritising political cover-ups over justice. The RG Kar case has become a symbol of systemic governance failures, with the BJP and other parties leveraging it to portray the TMC as incapable of protecting women or ensuring accountability in public institutions.

Internal Discord Weakens TMC’s Unity

The TMC’s response to the South Calcutta Law College case has revealed deep internal fractures, undermining its ability to present a united front. Senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee sparked outrage by suggesting that incidents of rape are inevitable unless male mindset changes. His remarks were widely condemned, prompting a rare rebuke from the party, which distanced itself from his comments. Similarly, MLA Madan Mitra’s remarks implying the survivor could have avoided the assault by not visiting the college alone led to a show-cause notice from the party after public backlash.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also criticised her colleagues, asserting that the party’s willingness to condemn such misogynistic remarks sets it apart. However, her comments also highlighted internal divisions. Kalyan Banerjee pushed back against the party’s censure, questioning whether the party’s response indirectly shielded criminals.

Political Fallout Looms for 2026

Repeated incidents of violence against women and governance failures pose a significant threat to the TMC’s prospects in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Women voters, who played a crucial role in Banerjee’s past victories, are increasingly disillusioned with the party’s handling of these cases. The TMC’s perceived inaction, combined with financial scandals like the school jobs scam, has further eroded public trust.

The BJP has seized the opportunity, forming a fact-finding committee to investigate the law college case and aggressively campaigning on issues of law and order. BJP leaders like Sukanta Majumdar and JP Nadda have demanded Banerjee’s resignation, accusing her government of being complicit in “state-sponsored” violence. The TMC’s attempts to deflect criticism by pointing to similar issues in BJP-ruled states have failed to quell public anger.

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the TMC faces a resurgent opposition and growing disillusionment among women voters, who may no longer view Banerjee as the protector she once appeared to be. The party’s failure to address systemic governance lapses, coupled with mounting public discontent, suggests that Banerjee’s leadership may be increasingly challenged in the coming years.