In a startling turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Trinamool Congress (TMC) camp, outgoing MLA Asit Mazumdar has made a controversial prediction regarding the 2026 elections. During a campaign event on Sunday, Mazumdar claimed that TMC candidate Debangshu Bhattacharya would face defeat in Chinsurah if actress-turned-politician Rachna Banerjee continued to be part of the campaign trail.

The Incident: The controversy erupted during a massive roadshow organized in Chinsurah to garner support for Debangshu Bhattacharya. Rachna Banerjee, the popular host of ‘Didi No. 1’ and the party’s candidate from Hooghly, joined the rally to boost morale. However, instead of a united front, the public witnessed a glaring internal rift when Asit Mazumdar openly expressed his dissatisfaction with her presence.

Why the Outburst? While Mazumdar did not elaborate extensively on the specific reasons, his blunt statement, “Debangshu will lose in Chinsurah if Rachna is there,” suggests deep-seated friction between the local leadership and the celebrity campaigners. This statement has put Debangshu in a difficult position, as he attempts to balance the party’s star power with local grassroots sentiments.

Opposition Takes a Dig: The BJP was quick to capitalize on this public fallout, stating that TMC is a “divided house” where veterans are feeling ignored by celebrities. As the polling day nears, this “civil war” within the TMC could significantly impact the voters’ mindset in the high-stakes battle of 2026.