Kolkata, April 16 -- With the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections drawing closer, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, struck an assertive note in an interview with a private news channel, launching a sharp attack on the proposed Delimitation Bill and the BJP.

Banerjee took a clear stand against the bill, alleging: "The Delimitation Bill is planned for dividing the country." She further claimed that individuals carrying boxes were entering Lok Bhavan without proper security checks, adding: "I have clear pictures as proof."

On being asked about the chances of horse-trading in Bengal, she firmly refuted the possibility, stating: "People of Bengal do not like traitors. TMC is going to get more seats than in the previous elections."

Openly criticising the Delimitation Bill, Banerjee said: "We support the Women Reservation Bill. But under the guise of the Reservation Bill, they are trying to pass the Delimitation Bill. It is another conspiracy of the BJP. They want to divide the country and rule." Referring to women's representation, she added: "We already have 37 per cent women representation in Lok Sabha. We don't need lectures from them."

Reacting to the Governor's recent remark about it being "time for change in Bengal," she questioned his neutrality, asking, "Why is he behaving like BJP's spokesperson?" She also alleged that Lok Bhavan is being used for BJP purposes and reiterated her claim about unchecked entries, challenging authorities to explain the situation.

Citing past allegations of horse-trading in states like Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand, Banerjee was asked if a similar scenario could unfold in Bengal if the BJP secures around 120 seats. Dismissing the claim confidently, she asserted that Bengal's electorate would reject "traitors" and ensure a stronger mandate for the Trinamool Congress.

Mocking the frequent visits of the PM Modi, Union Home minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders, Banerjee remarked: "Let them come with pockets full of money, arms and other bribes. The people are with me."

Condemning the "hurried and unplanned" SIR, she said: "BJP will have to pay for it. On the other hand, people have seen us fighting for their voting rights. From streets to courts, only Trinamool stood by the people."

Expressing gratitude to the Supreme Court over its recent verdict on SIR, she concluded, "This is the win of Ma-Mati-Manush. This is the win of the Constitution."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.