After Bihar sweep, BJP claims next is West Bengal; TMC stands ground, says 'bring it on'
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Kolkata (PTI): A thumping verdict in Bihar on Friday turbocharged the BJP's engines and saw the party declare West Bengal as "next", drawing an unfazed TMC's sharp "bring it on" retort as it insisted that the state's political chemistry is distinct and predicted a bigger mandate for Mamata Banerjee in 2026.
The duel between the two sides exploded on X as the NDA swept Bihar, registering either a win or lead close to 200 of the 243 seats, with the BJP posting an astonishing 95 per cent strike rate and emerging as the single largest party, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive imprint on the campaign.
The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress and three Left parties, was left struggling to cross the 35-seat threshold despite pre-poll projections favouring Tejashwi Yadav.
Sensing a political tailwind, the BJP's West Bengal unit swiftly ramped up its rhetoric.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the "massive wave" from Bihar would now sweep into the neighbouring state.
"This massive wave of public support in Bihar will also reach West Bengal. The people of Bengal want to be freed from the curse of Trinamool," he wrote on X, even mimicking Kolkata Metro announcements, "Next station; platform on the left", alongside a photo of Kalighat station, home turf of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"Bengal wants to become the best in India again 2026 Election. The end of Trinamool," Bhattacharya declared.
With senior BJP leaders like Giriraj Singh already sounding the "Bengal is next" bugle early in the day and his "brace for the worst" warning for Mamata Banerjee finding resonance in statements of local saffron grandstanders like Suvendu Adhikari.
Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, termed the Bihar mandate an "electrifying moment for democracy and development", attributing the NDA's big win to Modi's welfare, infrastructure and "Nari Shakti" outreach.
He asserted that Bengal would witness a "spectacular" saffron surge next year.
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, invoking his 'Mission Bengal' theme, added a sharper edge: "Now the time comes to clean up the jungles of Bengal," he wrote, signalling a heightened campaign.
But the TMC, battle-tested and combative, countered with scorched-earth rhetoric.
The party's "Bring it on" post was accompanied by an old video of Mamata Banerjee warning, "It is not easy to play with us." Then came the heavyweight counterattack.
"@BJP4India, you slink into Bengal, groveling for votes, after branding our sacred land 'a state of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.' To a party that wallows in such despicable slander, we hurl one searing question: Have you no shame at all? In 2026, the people of Bengal will democratically crush your arrogance underfoot and send you crawling back in disgrace. You are not welcome here, and you never will be," the TMC said on X.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed any possibility of Bihar's verdict influencing Bengal's political course.
"That is Bihar's equation. It has no connection with Bengal; With 250+ seats, Mamata Banerjee will become chief minister again," he asserted.
He added that the results once again exposed the Congress' inability to confront the BJP effectively.
Ghosh also warned of alleged upcoming "conspiracies" involving the BJP and the Election Commission.
"Trinamool's movement will continue. Through close public outreach, Trinamool will foil all the BJP's conspiracies," he said.
Mocking the BJP's attempt to intimidate Bengal using Bihar as an example, Ghosh wrote, "You cannot win people's love by hurting the rights and self-respect of Bengal and simply pointing to another state."
He also claimed that Bihar itself follows "Mamata Banerjee's development model", adding, "Here, whether winter, summer or monsoon, Mamata Banerjee is the people's trust."
As both camps locked horns within hours of the Bihar verdict, the opening shots of the 2026 Bengal battle grew unmistakably louder, one side buoyed by fresh electoral wind, the other standing tall, signalling it is ready for the fight ahead.
Bring it on 😎 https://t.co/rTQihgru2l pic.twitter.com/YpuafbHma6
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 14, 2025
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Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
