Mamata sets target of winning over 215 seats in 2026 Bengal assembly polls
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday set an ambitious target of securing over 215 seats in the 2026 elections to the 294-member assembly, asserting that her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) would ensure a significant reduction in the BJP’s tally.
The BJP bagged 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections.
“We will win more than 215 seats out of 294, in the next Bengal assembly polls and make sure the BJP’s numbers decline further,” Banerjee said while addressing a party meeting.
Taking a dig at the BJP, the TMC supremo recalled the saffron party’s slogans in the past elections.
“In the 2021 assembly polls, BJP leaders said ‘200 paar’ but were defeated. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they claimed '400 paar' but they could not even secure a majority. What Abhishek (Banerjee) said is absolutely correct. We will achieve a two-thirds majority, but you must ensure an even bigger victory. This time, BJP nominees must lose their deposits,” she said.
Echoing Mamata Banerjee’s sentiments, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee called upon party workers to ensure a decisive win for the party.
“The fight to secure Bengal’s future has begun. We must ensure the victory of the TMC and make Mamata Banerjee the chief minister for the fourth consecutive time. Our goal is to win a two-thirds majority in the 2026 assembly elections,” he said.
The ruling TMC had won 213 seats in the 2021 assembly polls, securing a comfortable majority, while the BJP managed to bag 77 seats.
With the 2026 assembly elections approaching, the TMC is focusing on consolidating its support base and countering the BJP’s challenge in the state.
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Vijay says no to CM convoy until swearing-in: TVK
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.
The official also said that arrangements were in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) clarified that its party founder Vijay had "personally requested that the convoy vehicles be returned". In a statement here, the TVK said: "Vijay conveyed that he would accept the official chief minister-level security only after forming the government with a decisive mandate".
Four convoy vehicles assigned to Vijay on May 4 after his TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly polls returned from his residence following his request.
Even on May 6, the police had deployed security near his Panaiyur residence and in front of the Lok Bhavan here when Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government. Vijay did not use the government vehicle to meet the Governor.
