‘If Mamata Had Run Clean Govt, BJP Wouldn’t Rise’: Rahul Gandhi’s Rare Dig At TMC As Bengal Votes

Last Updated:April 23, 2026, 14:48 IST

The remarks came as polling began for the first phase of the West Bengal elections, with the second phase scheduled for April 29.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the Bhartiya Janata party’s (BJP) rise in West Bengal was due to governance failures of the Mamata Banerjee-led government, asserting that “if Mamata Banerjee had run a clean government and had not polarized Bengal, BJP would not have been able to rise."

The remarks came as polling began for the first phase of the West Bengal elections, with the second phase scheduled for April 29. Gandhi’s comments are significant as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is part of the broader INDIA bloc.

Targets BJP, TMC In Same Breath

In his message to voters, Gandhi described the election as an “ideological battle" between the Congress and the BJP. He accused the BJP of undermining democratic processes and said the party’s ideology was in conflict with the Constitution.

At the same time, he criticised the Trinamool Congress government, alleging that political polarisation in the state had created space for the BJP’s growth.

‘Election Of Ideology’

Gandhi said the Congress was fighting to protect India’s diversity, including its languages, cultures and traditions. He accused the BJP of pushing a “one nation, one language, one religion" narrative, which he said goes against the spirit of the Constitution.

He added that the Congress stands for unity and inclusiveness, reiterating the party’s message of countering “hatred" with “love."

Calls For Support

Urging voters to back the Congress, Gandhi said his party is the only force capable of stopping the BJP. He appealed to people in Bengal to support Congress candidates, expressing confidence that the party could form the government in the state.

The comments come at a crucial juncture in the Bengal polls, with multi-cornered contests shaping the electoral battle.

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