Kolkata: In the backdrop of SIR deletions, chief minister Mamata Banerjee will kick-start her 2026 assembly poll campaign not with a public meeting but a Bhowanipore party workers’ meeting on Sunday evening.Trinamool’s booth-level agents, who worked in the area during the roll revision exercise, have been asked to attend the meeting at Chetla’s Ahindra Manch. Bhowanipore goes to polls on April 29, with 47,111 people removed from its 2-lakh voter list and another 14,154 still under adjudication.The party’s recalibrated strategy for Bhowanipore will focus on an intense, month-long door-to-door campaign, capitalising on its high number of ground-level workers.TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, party state president Subrata Bakshi and South Kolkata district president Debasish Kumar, along with TMC’s eight councillors in Bhowanipore, will participate in the meeting.Trinamool’s campaign slogan for Bhowanipore is “Unnoyon Ghore Ghore, Ghorer Meye Bhowanipore-e.”Though TMC took overall leads in Bhowanipore in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it trailed in five wards. The remaining three wards provided substantial leads that offset its losses; however, the SIR has impacted voter base in these three wards.Ahead of hitting the campaign trail, CM Banerjee posted on X: “I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges faced by many citizens regarding their rightful place in electoral rolls. I have approached the appropriate legal forums, including the Hon’ble courts, with the hope that the constitutional rights of every individual will be protected.”Mamata added: “I want to assure the people of Bengal that I stand with each one of you, across all religions, castes and communities, as a member of your family. At a time when divisive forces seek to fracture our social fabric, we must remain committed to unity and mutual respect. Bengal has always stood as a beacon of inclusiveness, where every faith is honoured and every voice matters. Let us continue to uphold the values of peace, fraternity and dignity that define us.“On Tuesday, the CM will hit the campaign trail in north Bengal, where she will address at least three public meetings at Alipurduar Parade Ground, Matigara and Maynaguri. All north Bengal districts vote on April 23.Abhishek will hit the campaign trail starting March 24 from South 24 Parganas. According to the schedule announced by TMC, Abhishek will criss-cross the state for seven days, covering both north and south Bengal.In his Eid message, Abhishek posted on X: “At a time when divisive forces seek to pit one against another, we must remain united. India belongs equally to all its people, and its strength lies in its diversity. I am confident that the people of Bengal will continue to reject hatred and stand in defence of our collective spirit.”
