Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government at a rally in Singur, West Bengal, on January 18, 2026, signaling the unofficial start of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Modi asserted that the state is "ready to topple TMC's mega-jungleraj" and accused the TMC of being an enemy to the state's youth, women, farmers, and fishermen.
Singur holds significant political and emotional weight due to the 2006-2008 anti-land acquisition movement that resulted in Tata Motors relocating its Nano project to Gujarat. The BJP aims to capitalize on the "lost glory" of West Bengal's industrial sector, with leaders like Sukanta Majumdar emphasizing the Nano project's exit as a "stigma" that damaged the state's investment potential. The BJP has promised to "bring the Tatas back to Singur" if they win the election, portraying the event as a symbol of industrial stagnation under the TMC.
In addition to the political rhetoric, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth over ₹830 crore, aimed at transforming West Bengal's infrastructure. These projects span railways, ports, inland waterways, and urban transport. Key projects include the Balagarh Extended Port Gate System, Amrit Bharat Express trains, new rail connectivity between Jayrambati and Maynapur, and an electric catamaran for eco-tourism on the Hooghly River.
The political atmosphere in West Bengal is highly charged, with recent controversies surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on TMC's political consultancy firm, I-PAC. The TMC has approached the Supreme Court, alleging voter deletions and misuse of algorithms by the Election Commission. They also challenged the ED raids in Calcutta High Court, claiming unlawful seizure of confidential political data. These incidents have fueled the political firestorm, with both parties gearing up for a fierce electoral battle.
The BJP is attempting an intensified strategy, emphasizing Bengali identity and culture to appeal to the state's sentiments. Simultaneously, the TMC is trying to maintain its edge by highlighting farmers' rights and welfare-centric policies. Political analysts note a gradual shift towards religion-driven narratives, with parties aligning themselves with specific communities to consolidate vote banks.
In the 2021 elections, the TMC secured 215 seats with 48% of the vote, while the BJP won 77 seats with 38%. As the 2026 elections approach, the BJP hopes to attract voters who prioritize industrialization and jobs, while the TMC aims to retain its support base by focusing on social welfare and minority outreach. The Prime Minister's rally in Singur underscores the BJP's commitment to challenging the TMC's dominance and promises a renewed focus on industrial development and economic growth in West Bengal.
