Kolkata, April 25: BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, asserting that she is "definitely hurt" every time elections are conducted fairly and impartially. Nadda made the remarks while participating in a roadshow in the Bardhaman Uttar Assembly Constituency, ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.

Nadda's Dig at Mamata Over Opposition's CEC Removal Notice

Speaking to reporters, Nadda responded to a notice of motion submitted by 73 Opposition MPs — led by the Indian National Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) — seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The motion, addressed to the President of India, alleges "proven misbehaviour" by the CEC through acts and omissions committed since March 15, 2026.

"Look, this is their own opinion. The Election Commission is doing its work. And definitely, whenever there is an impartial election, Mamataji will definitely be hurt. She will definitely be in pain. So, that is her pain," Nadda said pointedly.

The remark carries political weight: the TMC has historically accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of bias, particularly during election cycles in West Bengal. Critics, however, note the irony — the same party that has faced repeated allegations of booth capturing and voter intimidation in the state is now leading a charge against the poll body's top official.

Phase 1 Voter Turnout and BJP's Confidence

Nadda also commented on the record voter turnout recorded during the first phase of polling, describing it as a "one-sided decision" by the electorate in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He expressed strong confidence that the trend would continue into the second phase.

"The voting in the first phase has reflected that public opinion is shifting towards the BJP, and in the second phase the party will receive a clear majority," he said. He further added that the people of Bengal have made up their minds to form a "double-engine government" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is a significant claim. West Bengal has been a stronghold of the TMC since 2011, when Mamata Banerjee ended the Left Front's 34-year rule. The BJP made inroads in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, winning 18 of 42 seats, but fell short in the 2021 Assembly elections, winning only 77 seats against TMC's 213.

Governance Failures and Anti-Incumbency Allegations

Nadda launched a broader attack on the TMC government's track record in West Bengal, alleging systemic corruption and lawlessness under Mamata Banerjee's administration. He listed "extortion, commission, loot, coal scandal, sand scandal, and atrocities against women" as defining features of the current state government.

"The common man is very frustrated, and they have decided to say bye-bye to Mamataji and vote in order to form a BJP government," Nadda said. These allegations are not new — the coal and cattle smuggling scams in West Bengal have been under CBI investigation for years, with several TMC-linked figures arrested.

Notably, the R.G. Kar Medical College rape-murder case in 2024 triggered massive protests across Bengal and the country, severely denting the TMC's image on women's safety — a vulnerability the BJP has consistently exploited on the campaign trail.

Mamata's 'Dismantle BJP' Remark and Nadda's Retort

Nadda also took aim at CM Banerjee's recent statement that she would "dismantle" the BJP at the Centre by uniting Opposition parties. His response was measured but sharp: "Delhi is very far away. Save your roots in Bengal first."

He added: "The roots of the Trinamool will be uprooted this time by the people of Bengal." The remark underscores the BJP's strategy of keeping the election narrative hyper-local — focused on governance failures in Bengal rather than national politics, which tends to favour TMC's Opposition alliance messaging.

What to Watch Next

With the second phase of West Bengal polling approaching, all eyes will be on voter turnout figures and whether the momentum BJP claims from Phase 1 translates into actual seat gains. The Opposition's motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar is also likely to escalate into a constitutional and political flashpoint, potentially drawing in the Supreme Court or the President's office. The coming days will be decisive for both the electoral battle in Bengal and the broader war over India's electoral institutions.