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Khardaha, West Bengal | April 21, 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of deliberately causing delays in her travel by placing “cherry-picked” officers at the airport. She claimed that her flight was held on the runway for nearly 30 minutes, disrupting her scheduled campaign activities.
Allegations of Deliberate Flight Delay
Speaking during a public rally, Banerjee alleged that the delay was intentional and aimed at affecting her election campaign. She further stated that a similar incident had occurred with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s helicopter.
According to her, such actions are part of a broader strategy to hinder opposition leaders during the ongoing election period. She also claimed that administrative hurdles were being created to slow down campaign activities.
Claims of Administrative Bias and Permission Issues
In addition, the chief minister said that her party faced difficulties in securing permissions for political meetings. She alleged that certain officials were acting under political influence and causing inconvenience to party workers and the public.
Banerjee also accused a BJP-linked individual assigned to poll duties of interfering in administrative processes. She claimed that these actions were troubling residents in the district and affecting democratic functioning.
Concerns Over Law Enforcement and Election Pressure
Furthermore, Banerjee alleged that false cases could be filed against leaders and workers of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). She claimed that such tactics were being used to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of the elections.
She urged administrative officials to remain neutral and perform their duties without bias. According to her, fair governance is essential during the election period.
Appeal to Voters and Election Vigilance
The chief minister appealed to voters to support AITC candidate Devdeep Purohit from the Khardaha constituency. At the same time, she asked citizens to remain alert about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure transparency during polling and counting.
She also emphasized the importance of peaceful and fair elections. Her statements highlighted concerns about potential irregularities in the voting process.
Criticism of the Centre and Use of Agencies
Meanwhile, Banerjee criticized the central government over the deployment of security forces and other agencies during elections. She questioned the role of the military in poll-related activities and raised concerns about its involvement.
She argued that such actions create fear among voters and may influence the democratic process. Additionally, she accused the Centre of misusing institutions for political gain.
Political Attack on BJP Policies
Banerjee also targeted the BJP over issues such as unemployment and unfulfilled promises. She questioned the status of job creation claims and raised concerns about economic conditions.
Moreover, she criticized delays in implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill. She alleged that the ruling party was not committed to providing adequate representation to women.
Election Context and Political Stakes
West Bengal will hold Assembly elections in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The state has a total of 294 seats, with 148 required for a majority.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the All India Trinamool Congress secured a strong victory, winning 213 seats. The BJP emerged as the main opposition with 77 seats.
The allegations made by Mamata Banerjee have added to the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal. While the BJP has not officially responded to these claims, the issue is likely to remain a key talking point during the elections.
As polling approaches, the focus remains on ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections across the state.
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