Mamata Banerjee Targets North Bengal for Upcoming Protest Rally Against BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to hold a protest rally in North Bengal, targeting the BJP's stronghold. This rally aims to address the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states. Following previous rallies in South Bengal, the choice of Siliguri as the venue signifies a strategic move to challenge the BJP's influence in the region. Political analysts highlight the historical significance of the locations chosen for these protests, linking them to Bengali heritage and culture. As the political landscape evolves, Banerjee's actions may reshape the dynamics ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 12:47 IST

Focus on North Bengal

In Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is shifting her attention to North Bengal, a region that has been a stronghold for the BJP since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move comes as she prepares for her party's third protest rally, which will address the alleged mistreatment of Bengali-speaking individuals in states governed by the BJP.

The anticipated location for this rally is Siliguri, a key town in the Darjeeling district, with the event likely scheduled between August 17 and August 21.

Previously, Banerjee led a similar rally in Bolpur-Santiniketan, Birbhum district, marking the first in a series of protests organized by the Trinamool Congress. The second rally is set to take place in Jhargram, a town known for its tribal population.

A senior state Cabinet member, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed that the Chief Minister aims to hold the third rally in North Bengal, as both Bolpur and Jhargram are located in South Bengal.

Political analysts suggest that while Bolpur and Jhargram were selected for their cultural and historical significance to Bengali heritage, the choice of Siliguri or another North Bengal location is strategically aimed at challenging the BJP's dominance in the area.

Bolpur's selection is linked to its deep-rooted connection with Rabindranath Tagore and the Visva Bharati University, while Jhargram's historical relevance stems from the Santhal uprising against British colonial rule in the 1920s. However, the primary motive behind targeting North Bengal is to confront the BJP in its organizational stronghold.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured victories in six out of seven constituencies in North Bengal. During the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, although the Trinamool Congress achieved significant wins, BJP candidates still claimed a majority in many of the 54 Assembly seats in the region.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, recently asserted that the BJP is poised to win at least 40 of the 54 Assembly constituencies in North Bengal in the upcoming 2026 elections.

Mamata Banerjee has characterized her party's ongoing protests regarding the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states as a modern-day 'Bhasha Andolon' (Language Movement).

Nonetheless, she has faced backlash for this comparison, as the original 'Bhasha Andolon' was a political movement in what was then East Pakistan, advocating for Bengali to be recognized as an official language, which ultimately contributed to the formation of Bangladesh in 1971.