Bengal’s Political Battle Shifts Online: TMC and BJP Gear Up for Digital Showdown Ahead of 2026 Elections

When Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra delivered her maiden speech in Parliament in June 2019, she had warned that elections in India were no longer fought on tangible issues like farmers' distress or unemployment.

Instead, they were increasingly being shaped by the digital realm, through WhatsApp, fake news, and the manipulation of public perception.

Referring to the spread of misinformation, she likened it to the Goebbels doctrine, where repeated lies become accepted as truth.

Six years later, as West Bengal moves towards another high-stakes Assembly election in 2026, Moitra’s words appear relevant.

The political battlefield has shifted decisively to the digital space, with both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) preparing for a full-fledged online showdown.

TMC’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, formally launched the youth-driven digital campaign ‘Ami Banglar Digital Joddha’ on the heels of this shift and he described it as a “people-powered movement to reclaim Bengal’s narrative and counter anti-Bengal propaganda.”

“For centuries, Bengal has been the beating heart of India’s intellectual, cultural and spiritual awakening,” Banerjee said, adding that external forces driven by vested interests were attempting to distort Bengal’s image.

“Political battles are fought not just on the streets or in Parliament, but increasingly in the digital space,” he said.

Explaining the structure of the initiative, party insiders said the campaign would mobilize a new generation of “Digital Joddhas” across three categories — Content Creators, Social Media Managers, and Digital Amplifiers. Registration will be done online, followed by a four-week training programme combining both online and offline modules.

Banerjee urged the youth to join the mission of preserving Bengal's legacy, declaring, “Bengal, our beloved motherland, is being maligned and vilified by Bohiragoto Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars. It is upon us to fight back with clarity and conviction. Join as a Digital Joddha and let the world witness what Bengal can achieve when its people rise as one.”

“This is a very positive move. In today’s time, social media cannot be ignored. It may not directly shape public opinion, but it certainly plays a crucial role in boosting the morale of grassroots workers who ultimately connect with voters and mobilise them to the polling booths,” political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty told UNI.

The BJP, however, dismissed TMC’s initiative as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

“The people who work in the social media platforms of BJP are grassroots workers, not hired professionals. They come to the party believing in the ideology of BJP and so they are dedicated to their work,” BJP’s state social media convenor Saptarshi Chowdhury told UNI.

Taking a dig at TMC, he said, “He (Abhishek Banerjee) is looking for digital fighters — let him speak to the teachers and workers who have lost their jobs under TMC rule. He will find many real joddhas there.”

Coincidentally, on the same day, the BJP held its Social Media Workshop and Organizational Meeting in Kolkata, unveiling a six-month roadmap for its 2026 election campaign.

Lighting the ceremonial lamp and invoking Vande Mataram, BJP IT and social media in-charge Amit Malviya told party workers that “social media is the new battleground of public perception.”

“In the face of TMC’s misinformation, the people must know the truth,” he said, adding that the BJP would share “stories of progress, culture, and identity” to turn the public mood for change into a “historic mandate.”

Amitava Chakraborty, state general secretary (organisation), stressed discipline, and teamwork as the foundation of the digital campaign, while Saptarshi Chaudhury reiterated that the BJP’s digital teams were “ready to amplify the truth in every district.”

Concluding the workshop, Malviya said, “With technology, unity, and truth on our side, BJP Bengal will expose TMC’s failures and turn the people’s hope for change into a historic mandate in 2026.”

“The BJP has always maintained a strong presence on digital platforms. After 15 years of governance, there is certainly a sense of negativity that is permeating in the society. The BJP will seek to highlight this on its social media handles. Since the party does not have as strong an organisational base as the Trinamool Congress, it will attempt to connect with people virtually,” Chakraborty said.

“The BJP has been relentlessly spreading fake posts and manipulative statements, and there is an urgent need to address these issues. While we continue our fight on the ground, we cannot afford to leave the virtual space unguarded,” a senior TMC leader told UNI on condition of anonymity.

“So far, our leaders have been countering the BJP individually, but a coordinated effort is essential. ‘Ami Banglar Digital Joddha’ will enable us to counter the BJP’s narrative more effectively,” the leader added.

As both parties roll out elaborate digital strategies and mobilise online armies, Bengal’s political battleground is set for a fierce cyber duel — one fought not in rallies or street corners, but across screens, hashtags, and timelines.