The political atmosphere in West Bengal has reached a boiling point ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections. A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during his campaign trail, TMC veteran and state minister Bratya Basu delivered a stinging rebuttal. Addressing the media on Sunday, Basu ridiculed Shah’s claims that the TMC supremo utilizes a “victim card” to gain political mileage.

“Everyone knows who actually plays the victim card and how they do it,” Basu remarked, hinting at the BJP’s alleged reliance on central agencies like the CBI and ED whenever they face a political setback. He asserted that Mamata Banerjee’s strength lies in public support, whereas the BJP’s strategy revolves around “revenge politics.” Basu’s comments were a direct response to Shah’s Saturday speech, where the Home Minister accused the state government of massive corruption and rebranding central schemes.

Basu also questioned the central government’s decision to withhold Bengal’s legitimate financial dues, calling it an “assault on federalism.” He argued that the BJP is terrified of the TMC’s popularity and is thus resorting to character assassination. As Amit Shah gears up to intensify the saffron party’s reach in rural Bengal, the TMC is leaving no stone unturned to defend its fortress. With both sides refusing to back down, the 2026 battle for the Bengal throne is shaping up to be one of the most aggressive electoral contests in recent history.