Kapil Sibal Slams BJP, Says ‘Entire System Used Against Mamata’
West Bengam CM Mamata Banerjee holds roadshow at Baharampur (Image TMC on X)
Kapil Sibal attacks BJP leadership, questions Election Commission role, and slams Yogi Adityanath over Vivekananda remark
By NIRENDRA DEV
Kolkata, April 22, 2026 — Senior advocate and Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging a “gross abuse of state machinery” in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, while expressing sympathy for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Addressing a press conference, Sibal said the scale of political mobilisation against Banerjee was unprecedented. “There is a woman standing against you, and you have put the entire strength of the country to defeat her. This is a dangerous thing for democracy,” he said.
Sibal raised serious questions about the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“Everybody is quiet. No institution is responding. Do we expect the Chief Election Commissioner to respond? They are the ones fighting the election for the BJP,” he alleged.
He also criticised the transfer of 483 officers, questioning the authority behind such decisions. “Nobody in this country has unlimited power,” Sibal said, adding that the role of the poll body must remain within constitutional limits.
Highlighting the heavy deployment of central forces, Sibal claimed that nearly 2.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel had been stationed in the state.
“It appears not the BJP, but the CAPF and the Election Commission are fighting this election,” he said, describing the situation as akin to an “emergency outside the Constitution.”
He further argued that such large-scale deployment was disproportionate, even compared to sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
Sibal also alleged misuse of government resources, claiming that thousands of BJP workers were transported from Gujarat to West Bengal using special trains.
“If Railways are being used to ferry party workers, it is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” he said. He contrasted this with reports of ordinary passengers being subjected to restrictions, alleging discriminatory treatment.
The senior lawyer criticised speeches by BJP leaders including Amit Shah and Suvendu Adhikari, calling their remarks “unbelievable.”
He also took a swipe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for reportedly misattributing a quote of Subhas Chandra Bose to Swami Vivekananda.
“Those in power must understand history and the Constitution,” Sibal remarked, adding that governance cannot be reduced to “bulldozer politics.”
High-Stakes Bengal Battle
West Bengal will vote in the first phase on April 23, covering 152 of the state’s 294 constituencies, including key districts such as Murshidabad, Bankura, Purulia and East Midnapore.
The outcome of this phase is crucial for the BJP, which is seeking to expand beyond its 2021 tally of 59 seats in these regions. For the TMC, it is a test of whether Banerjee can retain her dominance, particularly in North Bengal and border districts.
The second phase, scheduled for April 29, will cover 142 seats, where the BJP faces an uphill task, having won only 18 seats in 2021.
Murshidabad: A Key Battleground
Among the most closely watched districts is Murshidabad, where the contest is not strictly bipolar. While the TMC remains dominant, both the Congress and CPI(M) retain pockets of influence.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC won 20 of the district’s 22 seats, while the BJP secured two. However, shifting vote shares and demographic complexities—including a significant minority population—make the region politically dynamic.
The ongoing revision of electoral rolls has added another layer of complexity, with a substantial number of names under scrutiny in the district.With campaigning reaching its peak, the Bengal elections have become one of the most polarised contests in recent years. Sibal’s remarks underline the broader opposition narrative—that the battle is not merely between parties, but between political power and institutional neutrality.
As voters head to the polls, the results will determine whether the BJP can convert its aggressive campaign into electoral gains—or whether Mamata Banerjee retains her grip over the state.
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