Suvendu Adhikari vows to isolate 'atheist Communists' and 'pro-Jamaati' TMC in Bengal
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari used a Chhath Puja distribution event in Howrah to escalate his political offensive — vowing to permanently isolate both the Left and TMC, alleging ₹20,000 crore was illegally transferred abroad under Mamata Banerjee's government, and claiming recent bypolls show Muslim voters shifting toward the BJP. The speech signals an intensifying BJP effort to consolidate a Hindu-cultural political identity in Bengal ahead of the next assembly election.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on 12 November 2026 pledged to politically isolate 'atheist Communists' and 'pro-Jamaati TMC' at a Chhath Puja event in Howrah .
He alleged that the previous TMC and Left Front governments had undermined Hindu religious traditions, including holding Durga Puja events during Pitru Paksha .
Adhikari claimed former CM Mamata Banerjee favoured illegal Bangladeshi migrants over long-settled residents from other Indian states — an unverified allegation.
He alleged more than ₹20,000 crore was illegally transferred abroad by TMC members over 15 years , warning of imminent legal action.
He cited recent bypoll results in Nandigram and Rejinagar as evidence of Muslim voters warming to the BJP .
He promised to reclaim encroached government land and use it for housing for economically weaker sections.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday, 12 November 2026, pledged to persist with his campaign to politically marginalise what he called the 'atheist Communists' and the 'pro-Jamaati Trinamool Congress (TMC)', alleging that both forces had systematically eroded Hindu religious traditions and the cultural identity of West Bengal.
Key Allegations at Howrah Event
Addressing a distribution programme for Chhath Puja items in Howrah district, adjacent to Kolkata, Adhikari alleged that decades of Left Front and TMC rule had shown disrespect toward Hindu rituals. He specifically pointed to what he described as the inauguration of Durga Puja pandals and idols during Pitru Paksha — a period traditionally observed as inauspicious for such celebrations — as evidence of cultural disregard under the previous TMC government.
'The Communists ruled West Bengal for 34 years. They claimed to be atheists and were disrespectful towards traditional Hindu rituals. During the 15-year Trinamool Congress government, the state's traditions and culture were also undermined,' Adhikari alleged. He also recalled incidents of stone-pelting at Ram Navami processions across the state, accusing the previous administrations of failing to protect religious observances.
Attacks on Mamata Banerjee and TMC
Adhikari launched a pointed attack on his predecessor, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government had discriminated against long-settled residents from other Indian states while allegedly maintaining close ties with illegal Bangladeshi migrants. 'For her, people from other Indian states who have been living in West Bengal for a long time are outsiders, while illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators were her close associates,' he alleged.
He further claimed that members of the previous TMC government had illegally transferred more than ₹20,000 crore abroad over 15 years, warning that those involved would face legal action and imprisonment. These are allegations made by the Chief Minister and have not been independently verified.
Land Reclamation and Housing Pledge
The Chief Minister also promised to reclaim government land allegedly encroached upon by TMC leaders during the previous administration. He said illegal constructions on such properties would be demolished and the recovered land used to develop housing for economically weaker sections — a pledge that is yet to be backed by a formal policy or timeline.
Bypolls and Muslim Voters
Adhikari invoked recent bypoll results in Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar, arguing that they signalled a shift in the political outlook of Muslim voters. He claimed these communities were beginning to recognise that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not their adversary — a reading that critics may contest given the complexity of local electoral dynamics.
Referring to the festival season spanning Durga Puja to Kali Puja, Adhikari said communities from different linguistic backgrounds had celebrated together, contrasting that with what he described as deliberate divisiveness under the previous government. How the political landscape in West Bengal evolves ahead of the next state assembly election will be closely watched.
Point of View
Fuse Hindu cultural grievance with anti-infiltration rhetoric, and use welfare events like Chhath Puja distributions as platforms for consolidation. The ₹20,000 crore illegal-transfer claim is striking in its specificity but, absent a charge sheet or enforcement action, risks looking like political pressure rather than accountability. Most consequential is the bypoll reading — if the BJP's claim of Muslim voter drift holds even partially, it would redraw the coalition arithmetic that has sustained TMC dominance. That claim deserves hard scrutiny before it becomes received wisdom.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about Communists and TMC?
Adhikari vowed to continue politically isolating what he called the 'atheist Communists' and the 'pro-Jamaati Trinamool Congress', alleging both had undermined Hindu religious traditions during their combined nearly five decades of rule in West Bengal. He made the remarks at a Chhath Puja items distribution event in Howrah on 12 November 2026.
What did Adhikari allege against Mamata Banerjee?
Adhikari alleged that former CM Mamata Banerjee's government treated long-settled residents from other Indian states as outsiders while allegedly maintaining close links with illegal Bangladeshi migrants. He also claimed TMC members had illegally transferred over ₹20,000 crore abroad during her 15-year tenure — allegations that have not been independently verified.
What is the significance of the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypoll results?
Adhikari argued the results indicated Muslim voters were beginning to view the BJP as less of an adversary, which, if accurate, would significantly alter the political coalition dynamics that have underpinned TMC dominance in West Bengal. However, this interpretation is contested and the electoral arithmetic in both constituencies is complex.
What did Adhikari promise regarding government land in West Bengal?
Adhikari pledged to reclaim government land allegedly encroached upon illegally by TMC leaders, with illegal constructions to be demolished and recovered land used for housing projects for economically weaker sections. No formal policy document or timeline has been announced to back this commitment.
Why is Adhikari focusing on Chhath Puja events for political outreach?
Chhath Puja is widely observed by communities from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh settled in West Bengal, and BJP's outreach at such events reflects a broader strategy to consolidate non-Bengali Hindu voters while positioning the party as a protector of Hindu cultural practices — a contrast it seeks to draw with the Left and TMC.
