'No Parivartan, Only Pratyavartan': Mahua Moitra Says BJP 'Will Get A Rude Shock’ In Bengal

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 11:17 IST

In an interview with News18, Mahua Moitra spoke about the electoral mood, voter roll concerns, welfare politics, and the broader contest in West Bengal.

In the middle of a high-stakes electoral battle in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra remains combative and unapologetic. Dismissing criticism of her “controversial and fiery speeches," she shrugs it off as a marker of relevance, “If I am described that way, it means I am doing something significant." On the campaign trail in Krishnanagar, she is equally blunt about the political climate, accusing the BJP of weaponising institutions and warning that alleged large-scale voter deletions could “backfire… like a nuclear weapon whose button they have given to a monkey."

Mahua Moitra spoke to News18 about the electoral mood, voter roll concerns, welfare politics, and the broader contest in West Bengal. She defended schemes often labelled as “freebies" as essential support in an agrarian economy, while accusing the BJP of having “poured acid" into Bengal’s social fabric. Even as she faces central agency scrutiny, she remained defiant, calling the Enforcement Directorate the “extortion directorate" and asserting, “Picture abhi baaki hai." Confident of a “Pratyavartan" rather than “Parivartan," Moitra said her party is headed for a stronger mandate.

Here are edited excerpts from the interview with Moitra:

Q: Wikipedia describes you as known for “controversial and fiery speeches." Why is that?

Mahua Moitra: There was a saying in my college — women who are talked about are women who do something. I take it as a compliment. If I am described that way, it means I am doing something significant. If controversy follows me, I cannot help that.

Q: What is the mood on the ground in Krishnanagar?

Mahua Moitra: I can speak about my constituency. Krishnanagar has one municipality; the rest is predominantly rural. Issues that dominate urban discourse are not always relevant here. The so-called “intellectual urban Bengali" may criticise, but we have focused on delivering government services to the last mile. Our party has consistently worked for rural and economically weaker sections.

Q: What impact will SIR have? Is it a political tool for the BJP?

Mahua Moitra: This will backfire on the BJP. The scale of voter deletions is deeply concerning. Around 2.7 million names have reportedly been removed, which has overshadowed the election. Those who think this is a political weapon may find it hurting them instead. This is going to be a rude shock for them — who has given them this idea they only know because it’s like a nuclear weapon whose button they have given to a monkey.

Concerning is this time EC is working as BJP’s arm and they have deleted so many.

Q: The opposition claims your vote base has been affected. Your response?

Mahua Moitra: People who have lived in districts like Murshidabad and Malda for years are being flagged. These are not transient populations. We do not subscribe to vote-bank politics. Hindus have come from the other side over the years as refugees.

Q: There is a perception that your government relies on “freebies" to win elections.

Mahua Moitra: I disagree with the term “freebies." In an agrarian society, such support is essential. Schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar provide crucial assistance to women. Until employment stabilises, youth also need support. This is about building equity, not distributing handouts.

Q: The opposition says Bengal lacks industry and quality education. How do you respond?

Mahua Moitra: Development cannot be measured only through large manufacturing units. Several European economies function without heavy industry. Bengal’s MSME sector is strong. We have generated between 1.3 to 1.5 million jobs annually.

Q: Do you believe Bengal is polarised?

Mahua Moitra: Polarisation has been introduced by the BJP. It has affected the social fabric. They have poured acid in our culture. We have not engaged in that politics. I am a Brahmin representing a constituency with significant minority populations — that itself reflects our approach.

Q: There are allegations of minority appeasement, including higher allocations for madrassas.

Mahua Moitra: That is their narrative. I will not respond to it. Campaigns based on identity divisions are deeply problematic. Look at how Himanta Biswa Sarma did his campaign in Assam — what was this Miya Muslim campaign? They divide people on the basis of religion. Even people can’t sell fish in Delhi — they will decide what we will eat and what we will wear?

Q: What is your view on the situation in Malda?

Mahua Moitra: Many people whose names were deleted have limited recourse. Some cleared hearings but still face exclusion. For ordinary villagers, approaching higher courts is not feasible. This has created distress on the ground.

Judicial officers came and decided in two minutes on each case — you know what the Supreme Court has said. Where will they go, what will they do? Understand that.

Our party was not there in violence in Malda, but whom will these poor people approach?

Q: Is it Parivartan or Pratyavartan this election?

Mahua Moitra: There will be no “Parivartan." There will be “Pratyavartan." We are confident of returning to power with a stronger mandate. Our political fight will continue beyond the state as well.

Q: What is your response to action against political consultancy firms like IPAC?

Mahua Moitra: The situation is still evolving. There may be further action in the coming days. “Picture abhi baaki hai." However, we are not confused or deterred. We remain focused. We have faced investigations before and will continue to do so.

I have faced ED, CBI — my family has backed me. ED is the “extortion directorate." “Picture abhi baaki hai." I feel they will paralyse IPAC and they are going to hurt us — that’s not possible. You have seen their conviction rate. It’s just a joke.

News elections 'No Parivartan, Only Pratyavartan': Mahua Moitra Says BJP 'Will Get A Rude Shock’ In Bengal

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