CM Mamata declares ‘Khela Hobe again’ for 2026, TMC to follow I-PAC’s strategy

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set the stage for the 2026 assembly elections, announcing “Khela Hobe Again” as Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) campaign call. Addressing party workers at Netaji Indoor Stadium, she directed leaders to intensify groundwork, strengthen booth-level presence, and ensure voter list accuracy. She warned that TMC would take direct action if irregularities were found in the electoral process, including protests at the Election Commission if required.

Banerjee declared that core committees will be formed in every district to monitor and rectify voter list discrepancies. “That committee will work on the voter list. A report will be submitted within three days. The districts must send a report to that committee. If the committee fails to function, then, if necessary, I will personally take up the task of identifying ‘fake’ voters,” she said. She instructed district presidents to deploy booth-level workers to oversee voter registration and corrections.

She also confirmed that I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) will remain involved in TMC’s campaign planning, dismissing speculation about its ties with Prashant Kishor. “You cannot call I-PAC by just any name. PK has formed a separate party in Bihar,” she stated. I-PAC has played a key role in TMC’s election strategies since 2021, working on booth management, outreach, and campaign execution. Party leaders and workers were instructed to follow its guidelines.

Despite its role in TMC’s electoral success, I-PAC has faced internal criticism from some party members. Recently, senior leader Madan Mitra accused the organization of "selling posts for money," though he later retracted his statement. Concerns over decision-making processes and candidate selections have been raised in some sections of the party, but Banerjee’s latest remarks indicate that I-PAC will continue as a strategic partner.

TMC is now preparing for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026, with a focus on voter list scrutiny, booth-level mobilization, and campaign strategy. Banerjee has called on leaders and workers to ensure a strong presence on the ground and maintain organizational discipline, reinforcing that the party’s preparations will begin immediately.