Anurag Thakur Says NDA Mandate in Bihar Will Repeat in Bengal, Rebuts Mamata’s SIR Allegations

Ex union minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had secured a clear mandate in Bihar and would repeat its performance in West Bengal, hitting back at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her recent remarks targeting the BJP.

Speaking to the media in Kangra, Thakur said, "The public is ready to shake them up and oust them from power. This statement can be seen as a frustration ahead of defeat in the upcoming election. Bengal today is plagued by corruption, infiltration, and crime. We cannot expect anything more than such remarks from its leaders."

"Despite Rahul Gandhi's allegations, the NDA secured the mandate in Bihar, and now it is Bengal's turn," he said.

Thakur's response came a day after West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP during a public meeting in North 24 Parganas on the ongoing SIR in multiple states including Bihar , where Assembly polls were held recently, accusing the party of attempting to replicate in West Bengal what she termed its "game" in Bihar.

"Elections were held in Bihar. Bihar opposition leaders were 'bechara'; they couldn't understand the BJP's game. We understand their game, and we won't let their game succeed in Bengal. If they try to touch Bengal, we will shake the entire country," she said.

It is worth mentioning that BJP secured 202 seats in Bihar Assembly polls while the INDIA alliance was reduced to a meagre 25 seats .

Addressing a rally in Bangaon, the chief minister alleged that she had been denied permission to use a helicopter, which delayed her arrival. She warned the BJP that any attempt to "take her on" would not succeed.

"The election has not started, but confrontation has already begun. But they don't realise this worked in my favour. Because on the way here I met a lot of people, and I could connect and form a close relationship with them. I tell the BJP: don't try to play with me because you won't be able to compete with me," she said.

Banerjee also intensified her criticism of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that the aim of the SIR is to remove Bangladeshi nationals from the voter list, she asked why the exercise was being conducted in several BJP-ruled states as well and questioned the purpose behind the revision.

"I love Bangladesh as a country, because our language is the same. I am from Birbhum, but one day they will call me Bangladeshi. PM Modi got votes in 2024 as per the same list. If your name gets deleted, the central government should also be deleted. Why conduct SIR in such a hurry?" she said.

"Till I am here, I will not allow them to throw you out. Nobody can throw you out. If Bangladeshi is a problem, then why are you conducting SIR in Madhya Pradesh and UP?" she asked.

Banerjee said, "If SIR is conducted over two-three years, we will support the exercise with every possible resource." The chief minister accused the Election Commission of losing its neutrality, stating that the "EC is no longer an impartial body, it has turned into a 'BJP Commission'."

She claimed that people would realise the "disaster" caused by the EC and BJP once the draft voter list is published after the SIR. "Does conducting SIR in BJP-ruled states imply the Centre accepts 'ghuspaithiyas' exist there?" she asked.

These remarks come at a time when the Election Commission has launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision across 12 states and union Territories.

The final electoral roll is set to be released on February 7, 2026, following the first phase conducted in Bihar ahead of its Assembly elections.