BJP shares Rahul Gandhi clip attacking Mamata government, says ‘thanks for truth bomb’

A political row erupted ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections after the BJP’s Bengal unit shared a short video clip of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks targeting the Mamata Banerjee government, thanking him for what it described as a “truth bomb.” The clip, posted on social media, showed Rahul Gandhi saying that if Mamata Banerjee had run a clean government and not polarised the state, it would not have paved the way for the BJP.

The video shared by the BJP was a 13-second excerpt from a longer message delivered by Rahul Gandhi on the eve of the first phase of polling. While the BJP highlighted his criticism of the Trinamool Congress, it did not include portions of his speech where he warned against what he described as the dangers posed by the BJP to the country and the state.

In his full statement, Rahul Gandhi described the election as a “battle of ideologies,” alleging that the BJP undermines democratic processes and does not respect India’s diversity. He also criticised both the central government and the Mamata Banerjee-led state government during his recent campaign meetings in North Dinajpur and Murshidabad, where he addressed issues related to governance, democracy, and constitutional values.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders in the state reiterated that the 2026 Assembly elections are aimed at removing the Trinamool Congress from power, citing allegations of corruption and misgovernance. The party has intensified its campaign, with top leaders expressing confidence about expanding their presence in West Bengal, a key state where it has yet to form a government.

The exchange reflects the increasingly sharp political messaging on social media as parties escalate their campaigns ahead of polling. Alongside the video clip, political parties have been sharing contrasting narratives online, attempting to influence voters as the high-stakes electoral contest unfolds across the state.