Modi vs Mamata: Battle for Bengali Identity

In the 2021 Bengal assembly elections, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee played the Bengali identity card and was successful in returning to power for the third time by winning with a huge majority as the BJP did not give a proper answer to it.

Now, in view of the upcoming assembly elections in 2026, Mamata has once again started sharpening her tried and tested weapon of Bengali identity. Now she is attacking by linking the alleged oppression of Bengalis in BJP-ruled states to Bengali identity, but this time the BJP is also fully alert and prepared.

Before the 2026 assembly elections, this has become a million dollar question, because the kind of attitude Mamata and Modi are showing, it is clear that Bengali identity is going to be a big weapon in crossing the electoral Vaitarni. Last Wednesday, Mamata herself attacked the BJP by taking out a procession on the issue of alleged harassment of Bengalis.

A day later, on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at Mamata in Durgapur, Bengal. He clearly said that the BJP is protecting Bengali identity. In his address, PM Modi spoke in detail about the Bengali language, Bengali identity, pride and Bengali scholars.

The stage on which Modi spoke about Bengali identity was decorated by Bengal BJP with a painting of Bharat Mata made by the famous painter Abanindranath Tagore. Not with marigolds or roses, but Bengal BJP welcomed the Prime Minister by garlanding him with tuberose. This is also the favorite flower of Bengalis.

Modi's counterattack on Mamata's attack

For the past several days, Mamata has been accusing various BJP-ruled states of harassment and arrest of Bengali migrant workers. It is clear from her attitude that she is in the mood for a do-or-die battle on this issue in the upcoming assembly elections.

This is the reason why Prime Minister Modi himself has come into the field to foil Mamata's bet on Bengali identity. In his Durgapur rally, Modi talked more about Bengali identity, Bengali pride and BJP's respect for Bengali culture.

By responding to Mamata's attack, Modi not only showed 'respect for Bengali identity', but everything from the management of PM Modi's rally to the stage decoration was expressing Bengaliness.

Modi started with the slogan 'Jai Maa Kali, Jai Maa Durga', which is the most familiar religious slogan for Hindu Bengalis accustomed to Shakti Puja. 'Jai Maa Kali, Jai Maa Durga' was also written in the invitation card of the rally.