Bengali-Bangladeshi Controversy: TMC and BJP Clash Ahead of 2026 West Bengal Elections
Tensions are flaring between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. A recent Delhi Police document has ignited a controversy by using the term “Bangladeshi” to refer to people of Bengali origin.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns “Insulting” Remark
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Delhi Police’s terminology, calling it a deep insult to the Bengali community. She has accused the BJP of fueling divisive politics and attempting to marginalize Bengalis.
BJP Defends Delhi Police
The BJP has come to the defense of the Delhi Police, arguing that the term was not intended to be derogatory. They have accused the TMC of politicizing the issue and diverting attention from more pressing matters in the state.
Impact on 2026 Elections
This controversy is likely to become a key talking point in the upcoming West Bengal elections. The TMC is expected to leverage the incident to rally support amongst Bengalis, while the BJP will likely attempt to downplay the issue and focus on other aspects of their campaign.