Escalating her campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a high-octane speech during her rallies in West and East Medinipur on Monday. Asserting that “there is no alternative to the Twin Flowers (TMC),” she urged the electorate to protect Bengal’s democracy and cultural identity from “outsiders.”

Addressing a massive crowd in Panskura, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s food politics. “If the BJP comes to power, they will dictate what you eat. They will stop you from eating fish and meat. Don’t sell your votes for their money,” she warned. She also targeted the Election Commission over the recent reshuffle of police and administrative officers, labeling it a “conspiracy” to weaken her party before the April 23 and 29 polls.

In a move to curb internal dissent over ticket distribution, the TMC supremo reiterated her famous slogan: “Forget who the local candidate is; I am the candidate in all 294 assembly segments. A vote for the symbol is a vote for me.” Highlighting the success of welfare schemes like ‘Lakshmir Bhandar,’ she cautioned that a change in government would lead to the immediate termination of these benefits. As the state heads towards a two-phase election, Mamata’s message remains clear—the 2026 battle is a direct fight between her leadership and the might of the BJP-led Centre.