If you "vote for BJP, snake will enter your house," Abhishek warns voters at campaign rally

Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee kicked off his high-octane election campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections from Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas on Tuesday. Addressing a massive public gathering, Banerjee intensified the political rhetoric by launching a sharp, metaphorical attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He cautioned voters with a provocative slogan, stating, "If you stamp the Lotus (BJP symbol), a snake will enter your house," suggesting that bringing the BJP to power would lead to internal peril for the state's residents.

Moving beyond the rhetoric, Abhishek Banerjee laid out a clear electoral roadmap for the local leadership. He challenged the party workers and supporters in Patharpratima to ensure a victory margin of at least 40,000 votes. This directive is part of the TMC's broader strategy to consolidate its stronghold in the South 24 Parganas district, where the party has historically enjoyed overwhelming support. The rally served as a formal launch of the TMC's grassroots outreach program in the coastal belt, focusing on both regional development and the "Siddhir Maand" (voter outreach) initiative.

The speech also highlighted the ongoing friction between the state government and the central authorities. Banerjee accused the BJP-led Center of withholding funds for critical projects and using administrative machinery to hinder Bengal’s progress. He contrasted this by showcasing the TMC's social welfare schemes and promising a "future-ready" Bengal. The rally saw a massive turnout, signaling the beginning of a fierce electoral battle in a district where the TMC won 30 out of 31 seats in the previous assembly elections.