'Why is BJP so confident?' Abhishek Banerjee targets Gyanesh Kumar, challenges EC

Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP during the INDIA bloc protest, alleging that public resentment had grown over the way the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was conducted in Bengal.

Banerjee said the protests reflected growing dissatisfaction among people who had traditionally believed that governments could be held accountable through elections.

“The way SIR has been conducted in Bengal today, and the way protests are taking place across the country, prove how deeply the resentment of the common people has grown. And this has been possible because a large section of people in the country used to believe that if the government does not work, the government can be taught a lesson, and that it can be made to understand in the next election,” he said.

‘Why is the BJP so confident?’

Banerjee questioned the BJP's confidence ahead of elections, linking it to his allegations against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“Why is the BJP so confident? Because they do not care whether the unemployment rate in the country rises, whether the prices of gas, petrol, kerosene or vegetables increase. They do not care because they know that Gyanesh Kumar is sitting there and that they will win again by stealing votes,” he said.

Responding to BJP leader Sambit Patra's remarks, Banerjee also invoked the Ram Temple and Lord Ganesha while attacking the BJP's electoral record.

“If someone wants to give Gyanesh Kumar the status of Lord Ganesha, that is a separate matter. But they should also remember that they used the politics of the Ram Temple and lost in Ayodhya.

“This time they have brought Lord Ganesha into the picture as well, and their defeat in Maharashtra is certain,” he said.

Banerjee challenges EC over counting footage

Banerjee also questioned the Election Commission's handling of counting proceedings in several Assembly constituencies in West Bengal.

“I am giving you a list of 100 Assembly constituencies. If Gyanesh Kumar’s Election Commission is honest, let it show even five minutes of footage from those nine hours,” he said.

He further challenged the poll panel to establish whether opposition counting agents were present in the constituencies after 5 pm.

“Show me that even one opposition counting agent was present after 5 pm in any of these constituencies. They will not be able to,” Banerjee said.

He specifically mentioned Howrah, Raina, constituencies in Paschim Medinipur and Satgachia, saying the Election Commission would not be able to provide such footage from these areas.

“Show me Howrah, Raina, or any constituency in Paschim Medinipur or Satgachia—they will not be able to,” he said.