Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the BJP had “looted” the people’s mandate in West Bengal by manipulating the counting process with the help of central forces, even as he formally accepted the outcome of the 2026 Assembly elections.
In his first public statement after the TMC’s major electoral setback, the MP claimed that results in more than 100 seats were influenced during counting day. “We shall accept the people’s mandate, whatever the number may be. But they looted the results of more than 100 seats using central forces,” he said in a message addressed to party workers.
Banerjee alleged that counting agents and TMC candidates were forcibly removed from several counting centres and claimed the counting process was effectively controlled by Central government employees. Calling the verdict “not the people’s mandate,” he accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions to secure power in the state.
He further alleged that incidents of post-poll violence took place with central forces acting as “mute spectators”. According to Banerjee, party offices, homes of workers and supporters were attacked in several areas following the declaration of results.
“The people’s mandate has been manipulated. And those who have done it won’t last long,” he said, while urging TMC workers to remain united and continue serving the people despite the defeat.
Banerjee also said the party would challenge the alleged irregularities through constitutional and legal means. “We have full faith in the Supreme Court and democratic institutions of this country,” he said, adding that the fight against “manipulation and abuse of power” would continue.
He also paid tribute to party workers allegedly killed in post-poll violence and said the recent developments had deeply hurt Bengal’s social and political fabric.
The Trinamool Congress suffered a major blow in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, winning only 80 of the 293 seats. The result brought an end to the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee and paved the way for the BJP to form the government in the state.
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Published By:
Ritaban Misra
Published On:
May 14, 2026 23:46 IST
