'Bengal first' as focus, Didi calls for language movement
KOLKATA: TMC's 2026 assembly election strategy is likely to focus on tapping Bengal-first sentiment of the state's 7.6 crore voters. The party's last Martyrs' Day rally before assembly polls showcased Bengali migrant workers "harassed in BJP-governed states and Bengal residents facing NRC queries" as CM Mamata Banerjee called for a renewed "Bhasha Andolan (language movement)" from next week.
"Hold meetings and rallies every weekend to protest the attack on your language," she urged supporters at Esplanade Monday. Banerjee asked TMC MPs to protest on Parliament campus "violence against Bengal" and urged sportspersons and "people from cultural background" to join in.
She retooled the 2021 "Khela Hobe" slogan with phrases like "bowl them (BJP) out" and "hit them for a six" - fusing Bengal's sporting passions with political mobilisation.
Banerjee also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is "controlled by America". "Why did you fail to get POK? Where was your protest when US sent planes full of Indians back?" she asked, calling for "paribartan at Centre".
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