Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ignited the political atmosphere with his bold assertion that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form governments in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. Addressing party workers in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Shah sharpened the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) focus on the upcoming elections and launched a scathing critique of the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, branding it a "100% failed government" rife with corruption.
Shah's confidence stems from his extensive experience across the country, claiming he knows the "pulse of the public". He stated that the people of Tamil Nadu are ready to "uproot" the DMK government. He specifically targeted the DMK over the TASMAC liquor scam, alleging irregularities amounting to ₹39,000 crore. Shah argued that with such funds, the government could have built at least two classrooms in every primary school in the state. He also accused the DMK of harming the poor, women, and children.
The BJP has been actively working to strengthen its position in Tamil Nadu. Shah's visit to Madurai marks his second visit to the state in two months. During his April visit, he announced the revival of the alliance between the BJP and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Shah has described the alliance with AIADMK as a "suitable alliance." He also emphasized that the 2026 election would be fought under the leadership of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
However, the DMK has dismissed Shah's claims. DMK spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah retorted that the BJP has a remote possibility of capturing power in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stated that it is not Shah who will defeat the DMK, but the people of Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, West Bengal's political landscape is witnessing increasing religious polarization. Both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP are accused of using religious identities to consolidate their vote banks. The BJP has been actively promoting Hindu unity, while the TMC is attempting to maintain its support base among Muslims while also appealing to Hindu voters. Some analysts describe the situation as "competitive communalism," where both TMC and BJP benefit from religious polarization.
The BJP's strategy in West Bengal involves aggressive Hindu mobilization, but this approach carries the risk of consolidating the minority vote against them. The TMC, on the other hand, is attempting to balance its image as a protector of Muslims with its outreach to Hindu voters. As the 2026 elections approach, the political climate in West Bengal is likely to become even more charged, with both parties intensifying their efforts to win over voters.
The road to 2026 is paved with challenges for both the NDA and its opponents in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In Tamil Nadu, the BJP-AIADMK alliance needs to overcome anti-incumbency sentiments and convince voters that they offer a better alternative to the DMK. In West Bengal, the BJP needs to carefully calibrate its Hindu nationalist message to avoid alienating minority voters, while the TMC needs to counter the perception of Muslim appeasement and maintain its support among both Hindu and Muslim communities.
