"TMC will return, Mamata Banerjee will be CM again in 2026": Kunal Ghosh hits back at Suvendu Adhikari over riot claims

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 17 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Wednesday hit out at West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, expressing confidence that the TMC will form the government for a fourth consecutive term, with Mamata Banerjee returning as Chief Minister in 2026.
"Suvendu Adhikari gives provocative statements. He is giving these statements in the name of religion after being rejected by the public," Ghosh said. "The main issue in West Bengal is development. Let me say clearly -- the TMC will form the government for the fourth time with a majority, and Mamata Banerjee will be the CM in 2026."
His remarks come in response to Suvendu Adhikari's allegations that TMC leaders orchestrated the recent communal violence in Murshidabad district.
In a video posted on X, Adhikari accused Md. Inzamul Haque, Chairman of Dhulian Municipality, of being an instigator in the violence. He claimed that Haque "abused his power" and incited violence with "provocative and venomous statements."
"There is clear evidence in the video that this person is involved in the riots. He should be arrested immediately and severely punished for this heinous crime. Why are they being left out?" Adhikari questioned.
The Leader of Opposition alleged a broader political conspiracy, stating, "From Mothabari to Dhulian, TMC leaders are the main conspirators and catalysts of anti-Hindu riots. Such toxic politics by TMC is just an attempt to endanger Hindus and enrich their own vote bank."
He further accused the ruling party of inciting fundamentalism. "They are the ones who are disturbing the peace by spreading hatred in society and inciting fundamentalists. Their hate speech and activities are directly responsible for creating riots. It is time to unmask these rioters!" he said.
Referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent meeting with Muslim clerics in Kolkata amid the ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Adhikari alleged that the meeting was politically motivated.
Adhikari claimed on Wednesday that the CM is "instigating people" to go to Delhi and shut down the national capital.
"It was a facilitated meeting. These people are rioters, the ones who did communal clash in Mothabari, they are being uplifted, Mamata Banerjee is instigating them to go to Delhi and shut down Delhi. To go to Delhi, you have to go through Uttar Pradesh. Mamata Banerjee is not in power in Delhi, Bihar and UP," the BJP leader told ANI in Kolkata. (ANI)