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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
