The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent boat ride on the Ganga in West Bengal, terming it a ritualistic photo-op ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in the state.
TMC's Jibe at PM Modi
TMC national spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "The prime minister's boat ride was nothing but a ritualistic photo-op to fulfil his quota of photo opportunities. He should focus on real issues rather than such gimmicks." Ghosh further alleged that the BJP has been trying to create a false narrative in Bengal ahead of the elections.
PM Modi's Ganga Boat Ride
PM Modi, during his visit to West Bengal, took a boat ride on the Ganga in the Hooghly district. The prime minister was seen interacting with local boatmen and discussing their livelihoods. He also offered prayers at the riverbank. The BJP defended the visit, stating that it was aimed at connecting with the grassroots and understanding the problems of the people.
Political Reactions
The TMC's attack comes amid escalating political tensions in the state ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The ruling TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been accusing the BJP of using central agencies to target opposition leaders. The BJP, on the other hand, has been criticising the TMC government over issues of corruption and law and order.
Background
West Bengal has been a political battleground, with the TMC and BJP locked in a fierce rivalry. The 2021 assembly elections saw the TMC retain power with a landslide victory, while the BJP emerged as the main opposition. Since then, both parties have been preparing for the next electoral showdown in 2026.
Reactions from Other Parties
The Congress and Left parties also criticised the prime minister's visit, calling it a waste of public money. The Congress accused the BJP of using such events to divert attention from pressing issues like unemployment and inflation.
Conclusion
As the political heat intensifies in West Bengal, the TMC's jibe at PM Modi over his Ganga boat ride is likely to add to the ongoing war of words between the two parties. The 2026 assembly elections promise to be a high-stakes battle for both the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.
