Unofficial President’s rule imposed in West Bengal claims Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday (March 20, 2026) alleged that an “unofficial” and “self declared” President’s rule has been imposed in West Bengal.

“President’s rule has been imposed in West Bengal. Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has to hold elections in West Bengal under President’s rule. It is such a shame. They fear the people of the Bengal so much. Though the Centre has not pronounced it, but their actions point at the reality,” Ms. Banerjee said while releasing her party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.

Reiterating her displeasure over the transfer of officers of the State by the Election Commission, she asked how will officers from other States alien to language, culture and geography of the State will conduct elections. About 50 senior officers including, State’s Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and about a dozen of District magistrates and Superintend of Police have been transferred by the Election Commission over the past few dates since the model code of conduct came into force.

Ms. Banerjee claimed that the Centre was planning to “take away people’s citizenship” in the name of NRC (National Register of Citizens) and Census after the upcoming assembly elections in the state. She also said that there were plans to divide West Bengal, by creating a separate state craving out parts of north Bengal and Bihar. “They do not want West Bengal to exist,” she said.

Ms. Banerjee expressed apprehension that the judicial adjudication of about 60 lakh electors will not be completed before elections.

“I have heard that only 22 lakh cases have been adjudicated so far, out of which 10 lakh names have been deleted,” she said. The Trinamool Congress said that a particular community has been targeted through the exercise and said that she had knocked every door from the judiciary to the Election Commission.

“Right to vote is the biggest right,” she said, adding that the right is being snatched away by the Election Commission at the behest of the BJP.

Do not look elsewhere if you want to save Bengal

The Trinamool Congress made an appeal to the electorate of the State, not to look elsewhere if they want to save West Bengal. “It is not the time to look elsewhere, if you want to save Bengal,” she said.

Releasing her party’s manifesto the Chief Minister who is seeking to return to power for the fourth consecutive term said that the West Bengal Assembly polls was an opportunity “ to save the country from the hands of Narendra Modi”.

She urged the people not to accept money from the BJP and said that they should give a fitting reply to the saffron party.

Ms. Banerjee claimed that lakhs of central forces will descend on West Bengal during elections.

“Who will feed them. We are already facing shortage of LPG cylinders,” she said. The Trinamool Congress chairperson said that she will start campaign after Id-ul- Fitr which will be observed on Saturday.

The Trinamool Congress has already announced the list of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls. Elections to the 294 member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.