NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination from Bhabanipur, staging a show of strength with a road march from her Kalighat residence to the Alipore Survey Building in Kolkata. Flanked by supporters chanting slogans in her favour, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief walked nearly 800 metres, greeting party workers with folded hands as she sought to project confidence ahead of a high-stakes contest.Soon after filing her papers, Banerjee launched a sharp attack over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying she was “pained” by the deletion of thousands of names in Bengal. Alleging interference by the Centre led by Narendra Modi, she warned that such exercises could undermine the fairness of the election and promised legal assistance to affected voters.”I extend my greetings, my thanks, my respects, my salaam, my Jai Jinendra and Sat Shri Akaal to everyone. Today, as I filed my nomination, I want to say that along with the Bhabanipur constituency, I will work for every center and every area. We will form the government,” the TMC supremo said.Bhabanipur, long regarded as Banerjee’s political stronghold, is now emerging as a key battleground. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Suvendu Adhikari against her, turning the contest into a direct face-off reminiscent of the 2021 Nandigram election, where Adhikari defeated the chief minister. While Banerjee secured a resounding victory here in the 2021 bypoll with over 71 per cent of the vote, recent trends suggest a tightening race. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC’s lead in the segment narrowed significantly, with the BJP making inroads across several municipal wards. The party leadership has since urged cadres to avoid complacency, setting an ambitious margin target to retain the seat.The SIR exercise has further intensified the contest. Party sources claim over 40,000 names have been removed from the rolls, with many more under scrutiny, fuelling competing narratives over voter targeting. The constituency’s mixed demographic profile — spanning Bengali and non-Bengali Hindus, minorities, and migrant communities — adds another layer of unpredictability.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Draft Tweet On US-Iran Ceasefire Sparks Row Over Diplomatic CredibilityIndian Army Releases UAV And Loitering Munition Roadmap, Focus On Drone-Centric WarfareDelhi-Dhaka Ties Reset As Bangladesh FM Arrives In India; Focus On Border, Visa, Energy & TradeManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After War123PhotostoriesSamay Raina recalls suffering from an anxiety attack amid India’s Got Latent controversy; says, “I took half a bottle of sleeping pills, felt like my heart could stop anytime”Are zircon and American diamond the same?7 classic vintage decor styles that make your home look more luxuriousSkip the snooze: 5 powerful quotes to kickstart your workoutCute pet names for babies born in AprilUric acid vs creatinine: What these kidney markers really reveal about your health7 high-protein vegetarian foods other than paneer6 quick blooming flowers to sow in April10 couple-inspired house name ideas that add a personal touchHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIPL 2026Donald TrumpB V NagarathnaMP High CourtIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination from Bhabanipur, staging a show of strength with a road march from her Kalighat residence to the Alipore Survey Building in Kolkata. Flanked by supporters chanting slogans in her favour, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief walked nearly 800 metres, greeting party workers with folded hands as she sought to project confidence ahead of a high-stakes contest.Soon after filing her papers, Banerjee launched a sharp attack over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying she was “pained” by the deletion of thousands of names in Bengal. Alleging interference by the Centre led by Narendra Modi, she warned that such exercises could undermine the fairness of the election and promised legal assistance to affected voters.“I extend my greetings, my thanks, my respects, my salaam, my Jai Jinendra and Sat Shri Akaal to everyone. Today, as I filed my nomination, I want to say that along with the Bhabanipur constituency, I will work for every center and every area. We will form the government,” the TMC supremo said.Bhabanipur, long regarded as Banerjee’s political stronghold, is now emerging as a key battleground. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Suvendu Adhikari against her, turning the contest into a direct face-off reminiscent of the 2021 Nandigram election, where Adhikari defeated the chief minister.
While Banerjee secured a resounding victory here in the 2021 bypoll with over 71 per cent of the vote, recent trends suggest a tightening race. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC’s lead in the segment narrowed significantly, with the BJP making inroads across several municipal wards. The party leadership has since urged cadres to avoid complacency, setting an ambitious margin target to retain the seat.The SIR exercise has further intensified the contest. Party sources claim over 40,000 names have been removed from the rolls, with many more under scrutiny, fuelling competing narratives over voter targeting. The constituency’s mixed demographic profile — spanning Bengali and non-Bengali Hindus, minorities, and migrant communities — adds another layer of unpredictability.
