U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 23, 2026) a deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” with the proposal including opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though the agreement was “subject to finalisation.” “An Agreement has been largely negotiated
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials. The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late on Saturday (May 23, 2026) that, according to a preliminary investigation
Pakistani woman says corporate culture makes employees feel guilty for taking leave: ‘Rest needs justification’A Pakistani woman said corporate jobs made employees feel guilty for taking paid leaves they were allowed to use. Published on: May 24
This crunchy veggie rice paper pancake is the perfect quick-fix snack for sudden hunger cravings at home: Full recipeFrom crispy edges to flavour-packed bites, try this veggie rice paper pancake recipe for an ultimate comfort snack for lazy evenings. Updated on: May 24
Amazon techie earning ₹11 lakh/month has 1 house in US, 4 properties in India, Range Rover — but no emergency fundAn Amazon employee earning close to $300,000 feels financially insecure despite significant savings and investments. Published on: May 24
Why BJP Is Confident That Mamata Banerjee Is Losing The Bengal Narrative War
Why BJP Is Confident That Mamata Banerjee Is Losing The Bengal Narrative War
Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone and tenor for the Bengal election at his Kolkata rally on March 14. Addressing the crowd just a day before the official announcement of the polls, the PM targeted chief minister Mamata Banerjee over issues of population imbalance and the violence allegedly unleashed by the state’s ruling party. BJP strategists believe the massive turnout of more than 600,000 people and the issues raised by the Prime Minister have put the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on the back foot. Immediately following the rally, the PM met with members of the BJP’s Central Election Committee to finalise the candidate list. This time, there appear to be no last-minute hiccups, as the party was ready with its list for all states.
To date, few political analysts have dared to give a clear edge to the BJP in Bengal. While the party seems poised to retain Assam and hopes for a turnaround in Tamil Nadu through its alliance with the AIADMK—keeping a close eye on Tamil superstar Vijay—the story in West Bengal is distinct. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee maintains a tight grip over both the administration and her party cadre, controlling a machinery that often exerts influence at the booth level. By taking the Enforcement Directorate head-on, Banerjee has sent a message to her supporters that she is still leading from the streets, a move that has galvanised her base. In the Presidency area of the Kolkata region, she retains firm support among the Bengali intellectual class, the Bhadralok. While she has played the card of minority appeasement effectively, the fear of a Hindu backlash recently forced her to announce remuneration for both temple priests and Madrasa imams.
In the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP won 77 seats. Prior to that, in the 2018 Lok Sabha elections, the party secured 18 seats, though that number dipped to 10 in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, to the surprise of many in Bengal, the BJP’s vote percentage actually increased in 2024. The votes polled in the BJP’s favour during the Lok Sabha elections gave it a lead in 90 assembly segments. The BJP has now calculated that, in addition to these 90 seats, it is likely to pick up around 16 seats in the Kolkata area—a region where the TMC swept all 36 seats last time. The BJP strategy team is firmly convinced that the people of the state have made up their minds to vote against the “misrule" of Mamata Banerjee, drawing parallels to 2011 when the CPM led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was ousted.
Regarding leadership, there are strong indications from the BJP high command that Suvendu Adhikari is the state’s natural leader. Having defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in the last election, Adhikari is now taking her on again from the Bhabanipur assembly seat. This has effectively put the leadership issue to rest and made the BJP confident that the TMC is losing the narrative plot.
The BJP top brass is aware that over 50 seats in the state have a Muslim population exceeding 50%. Consequently, the TMC effectively begins the election with a 50-seat advantage, while the BJP starts from scratch. However, heavy polarisation in these areas may unite Hindu voters in favour of the BJP, while minority votes could partially shift towards the Congress or the Left in certain pockets.
The BJP believes there has been a significant dent in Banerjee’s minority vote bank. Despite many tall promises, several key issues have disappointed this core constituency. For instance, while Banerjee promised she would not allow the CAA-NRC process, the Election Commission successfully moved forward with its requirements. Similarly, the passage of the Waqf Bill and the abolition of Triple Talaq by Parliament—despite her vocal opposition—have been viewed as jolts to her minority voters. BJP sources admit this does not necessarily mean minorities will vote for the saffron front, but these factors may cause a partial shift towards the Congress or Left parties.
Strategists expect the Congress to win at least eight seats in Muslim-dominated areas, while Humayun Kabir of Furfura Sharif is expected to secure at least three. Regions bordering Kishanganj and Bihar, specifically the Malda and Dinajpur districts, remain heavily polarised.
It was long argued that caste plays no role in Bengal elections and that minority appeasement was the only dominant theme under both the Left and the TMC. However, BJP sources point out that Banerjee’s decision to announce state commissions for four specific castes suggests a state of panic. The BJP has identified the Mahtos (Kurmis) as a major demographic in Bardhaman, Jhargram, Medinipur, and districts bordering Jharkhand. Representing 5% of the total population, they influence more than 20 seats across six districts.
The BJP has also gained a foothold through caste-based polarisation among the Yadav or Ahir communities, who carry weight in more than six constituencies. Furthermore, BJP sources claim they will sweep areas dominated by the Rajbanshis, primarily located in North Bengal around Cooch Behar. Additionally, strategists are confident of winning at least 20 seats in the tea garden areas.
The Centre’s announcement of the 7th Pay Commission well before the elections gave the BJP an early edge among middle-class working voters. Although Banerjee initially put the measure on hold, she eventually posted her approval on social media just as the elections were announced once she realised it could cost her a sizeable chunk of votes. BJP strategists believe this hesitation has damaged her credibility with the middle class. With more than 100 top leaders and thousands of workers operating silently across Bengal and the Election Commission tightening its grip through administrative reshuffles and massive paramilitary deployment, the BJP anticipates a significant turnaround in its fortunes.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Poll setback deepens for Prashant Kishor as SC shuts door on Bihar election challenge Indian Stock Markets Remain Closed On Jan 15 For Maharashtra Civic Elections Google CEO Sundar Pichai meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cast first vote in Vice Presidential polls Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bhutan during November 11-12 Kerala local body polls to set the tone for 2026 battle Rapper-Turned-Politician Is Set to Be Nepal’s New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female prime minister Prime Minister Modi put himself at the centre of India’s foreign policy There is no benefit to Prime Minister Modi's visits here
With big-budget spectacles and larger-than-life action becoming the norm, one upcoming Hindi film is now aiming for something Indian cinema has rarely explored in a full-fledged way… alien horror. Actor Akshay Kumar is set to headline Samuk, a sci-fi thriller centred around extraterrestrial
1 days ago
Kara OTT release: Dhanush's ₹50 crore heist film gets digital release in less than a month; when and where to watchKara OTT release: Vignesh Raja's Tamil film starring Dhanush and Mamitha Baiju was released in theatres on April 30. Know when and where to stream it online. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
The Supreme Court on Saturday registered a suo motu case in connection with the death of a woman in Madhya Pradesh, whose family has alleged that her in-laws harassed her for dowry, reported The Hindu. Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi will hear the case on
1 days ago
Rare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortageRare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortage Published on: May 24, 2026 10:33 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, A year ago, every breath felt borrowed
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.These countertop organisers, crockery pick and jars can give your kitchen a Pinteresty spin by keeping the clutter awayTurn your kitchen into a photo-ready space with stylish organisers
1 days ago
Indian athletics witnessed a historic evening in Ranchi as Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian ever to breach the 8000-point barrier in decathlon at the Federation Cup on Saturday. The 27-year-old produced a sensational all-round performance to finish with 8057 points
1 days ago
The Centre released draft rules for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 for public consultation. The rules focus on governance, grievance redressal, and transitioning from MGNREGA to the new rural employment scheme
1 days ago
The National Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned of a sophisticated phishing campaign impersonating Apple tech support to target whose devices have been lost or stolen, officials said on Saturday.The I4C, which functions under the Union Home Ministry
1 days ago
Sachin Tendulkar praised his son Arjun's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Arjun Tendulkar showed patience and skill in his first match. He bowled well and took a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar expressed pride in his son's performance and attitude
1 days ago
White House shooting suspect claimed to be ‘real’ Osama bin Laden, threatened Trump online: ReportOsama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the terror group Al-Qaeda, which was reportedly responsible the 9/11 attacks. Updated on: May 24, 2026 11:02 AM IST By Anita Goswami Share via Copy
1 days ago
May 24, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 24, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 24, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 24
1 days ago
George Russell may have delivered the perfect answer to mounting pressure at Mercedes. After a fiery sprint race clash with championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli earlier on Saturday, the Briton bounced back in style to grab pole position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix — edging the
1 days ago
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading significantly in the Falta assembly constituency repoll. After five rounds of counting, Panda has secured a lead of over 14,000 votes against his CPI(M) rival. The repoll followed allegations of EVM tampering and irregularities during the initial polling
1 days ago
The suspect in a shooting near the White House was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed. BBC's US media partner CBS has named the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented
1 days ago
CPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks interventionCPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks intervention Published on: May 23, 2026 5:22 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, The Rajya Sabha leader of the CPI, John Brittas
1 days ago
Imagine enjoying a decadent, fudge‑like treat that also supports your hormones, libido, and menstrual rhythm, all while being packed with collagen, magnesium, adaptogens, and lignan‑rich omega‑3s. These Seed Cycling Hormone Bliss Balls are designed around the simple yet powerful practice of
1 days ago
Weekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: The stars brings positive energies for these zodiac signsWeekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: This week asks for patience, trust, and emotional resilience. Published on: May 24, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love feels
1 days ago
From a darkly comic tale of revenge to a beautiful contemplation on friendship, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far. "Daring, deranged, cleverly written," is how Vogue describes the buzzy debut by Caro Claire Burke. In this satirical thriller
1 days ago
Overnight fires in Delhi: Shops, homes gutted in four blazesA fire department officer was injured after the tin shed of one of the shops he was standing on during the firefighting operation collapsed. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:37 AM IST By Karn Pratap Singh Share via Copy link Four separate fire
1 days ago
As per the government, the new rules enable families living in Delhi to submit applications if their annual household income is within the newly prescribed limit. New Delhi: The Delhi government has reopened the process of issuing fresh ration cards under changed eligibility criteria after a gap of
1 days ago
The reported disruption of AI-animated film Critterz after OpenAI allegedly shut down Sora has sparked a larger conversation around one major issue in tech and entertainment: what happens when creators build entire projects on platforms they do not control?The reported disruption of AI-animated
1 days ago
Ex-Meta employee says non-Chinese workers were targeted for layoffsA laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:01 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged
1 days ago
Mackenzie Shirilla wanted Kim Kardashian's help; here's why it's not happeningMackenzie Shirilla sought Kim Kardashian's legal support following the release of The Crash documentary, but Kardashian reportedly has no plans to get involved. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
X warns founder against reuploading White House shooting video: 'Revenue reduced by 90%'Nikita Bier of X warned a user against reuploading the White House shooting video, asking him to ‘Quote’ or ‘Video Reshare’ instead. Updated on: May 24, 2026 6:14 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
1 days ago
Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta PartySonam Wangchuk hoped constitutional safeguards will be granted to Ladakh after recent talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre. Updated on: May 24
1 days ago
Talking about international partnerships, PM Modi said India’s growing ties with global companies and countries would create new opportunities for young people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates during the 19th Rozgar Mela
1 days ago
Dipika Kakar’s father-in-law in ICU after suffering stroke, Shoaib Ibrahim seeks prayers: ‘24 hrs are crucial’Shoaib Ibrahim took to Instagram to inform fans that his father has been hospitalised once again after suffering another stroke. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
