Centre Blocked Funds for Bengal, People Will Respond in Assembly Elections: Abhishek

TMC Accuses Centre of Withholding Funds

PTI, KOLKATA, JAN 18, 2026 : TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of blocking central funds meant for West Bengal and asserted that contrary to the BJP’s call for "change" in the 2026 Assembly polls, the people of the state would lead the process of dislodging the saffron party from power at the Centre after the state elections.

Addressing a rally at Chopra in Nadia district after a roadshow, the TMC national general secretary said the people of the state would not "surrender to outsiders and zamindars in Delhi." Accusing the Centre of withholding funds, Banerjee alleged that the BJP wanted the people of Bengal to "bow and surrender." "You blocked funds meant for the people of Bengal and harassed them. But the TMC and the people of Bengal will not change," he said, adding that Modi had altered his political messaging in the state.

"Earlier, the PM used to start his rallies with ‘Jai Shri Ram’, now, he says ‘Joy Maa Kali’," Banerjee said. He alleged that the BJP had "inflicted miseries" on the people of Bengal over the last five years and claimed that the party would be reduced to "below 50 seats" in the 2026 Assembly polls.

Call for Change in Bengal

"'Poriborton habe' (there will be change). After 2026, Modi will come to Bengal to chant ‘Joy Bangla'," he said. "In the coming days, the people of Bengal will throw you out of power in Delhi after electing the TMC for the fourth time in the state," he added. Accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies against opposition parties ahead of elections, Banerjee said, "They tried to steal TMC data before elections, but we have the people's support."