The political temperature in West Bengal soared on Friday as the Trinamool Congress launched a sharp counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'jungle raj' characterization of the state, with party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would return to power with 250 seats in the 2026 assembly elections.
TMC's Strong Rebuttal to PM's Remarks
During his recent address, Prime Minister Modi had drawn a parallel between the flow of River Ganga from Bihar to Bengal and the anticipated victory of BJP in the eastern state. However, the TMC was quick to dismiss this analogy, with Ghosh stating that the comment revealed a poor understanding of Bengal's political chemistry.
The TMC spokesperson emphasized that the people of West Bengal have consistently demonstrated their political awareness and would not be swayed by what he termed as 'external influences'. Ghosh's response came during a press interaction where he addressed multiple political developments concerning the state.
Analyzing the Political Landscape
The exchange highlights the intensifying political battle in West Bengal, where the BJP has been attempting to make significant inroads against the ruling TMC. The 2026 assembly polls are already shaping up to be a crucial contest that could determine the political direction of the state for the coming years.
Ghosh's confident prediction of 250 seats for TMC underscores the party's belief in its strong grassroots presence and the popularity of Mamata Banerjee's leadership. This number would represent a substantial majority in the 294-seat West Bengal legislative assembly.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The political sparring comes against the backdrop of the TMC's impressive performance in the 2021 state elections, where the party secured a third consecutive term by winning 215 seats. The BJP emerged as the main opposition party with 77 seats, marking its significant presence in state politics.
As both parties position themselves for the next electoral battle, the exchange of sharp remarks indicates that West Bengal will remain a key battleground state in Indian politics. The TMC's aggressive response to the Prime Minister's comments suggests the party is prepared to vigorously defend its political turf.
Political observers note that the date of November 14, 2025, marks another chapter in the ongoing political narrative of West Bengal, where verbal duels between the ruling party and the central government have become increasingly common.
