Mamata Calls for Anti-BJP Front in Bengal After Historic TMC Defeat

In the aftermath of the BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal, former chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called for the formation of a broad opposition platform to counter the BJP’s growing political dominance in the state and across the country.

Addressing supporters outside her Kalighat residence in Kolkata on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, Mamata appealed to all anti-BJP forces — including Left parties, ultra-Left groups, student organisations and civil society groups — to put aside differences and unite politically.

Her remarks came just hours after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister, marking a dramatic political shift in a state ruled by the TMC for the last 15 years. The BJP secured a massive mandate in the May 4 assembly election results, crossing the two-thirds majority mark and ending Mamata Banerjee’s long hold over Bengal politics.

Speaking to party workers and supporters, Mamata said the fight against the BJP must become the primary objective of all opposition parties. “This is not the time to think that the enemy’s enemy is my friend. Our first enemy is the BJP,” she said, while inviting national and regional parties to join what she described as a “joint platform” against the ruling party.

The TMC chief also alleged that party workers were facing intimidation and violence in several districts following the BJP’s electoral triumph. According to Mamata, “hooliganism” was taking place in parts of the state and “bad elements” had entered BJP ranks after the victory.

Her appeal for opposition unity comes amid renewed uncertainty within the INDIA bloc after the Bengal results. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav recently met Mamata Banerjee and backed her allegations that the BJP and the Election Commission manipulated the Bengal mandate.

At the national level, however, the opposition alliance appears increasingly fragmented. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi added fuel to the debate by declaring in a recent social media post that “only the Congress can defeat BJP and Narendra Modi,” a statement seen as a direct assertion of Congress leadership within the opposition camp.

Political equations have also shifted in Tamil Nadu, where Congress has reportedly aligned itself with actor-politician Vijay and his TVK, creating fresh tensions with long-time ally DMK.

With Bengal now under BJP rule and opposition parties reassessing their strategies nationwide, Mamata Banerjee’s call for unity signals the beginning of a new phase in opposition politics ahead of future national and state battles.