Kolkata

Arvind Kejriwal on Monday extended support to Mamata Banerjee ahead of the ongoing West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, alleging large-scale voter list manipulation in the state.

Addressing a public interaction in Kolkata, Kejriwal said he wished Banerjee success in the elections and praised the people of West Bengal for resisting what he described as dictatorship. He also claimed that 90 lakh votes had been deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and said the people of Bengal would respond through the ballot box.

His remarks came on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the state elections, with 142 constituencies set to vote on April 29.

Meanwhile, Banerjee also expressed confidence in her party’s prospects, citing strong public support during recent padyatras and public meetings. In a post on X, she said the “victory of Maa-Mati-Manush” was no longer a matter of prediction but only of time.

Emphasising Bengal’s cultural and historical identity, Banerjee said the state had long stood as a symbol of harmony, culture and civilisational pride. She accused divisive forces of trying to damage Bengal’s heritage and deny its rightful dues, adding that voters would give them a decisive democratic response.

READ MORE: Yana Mir: Kashmir's lone journalist to challenge Pakistan's narrative

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 93.2 per cent in the first phase of polling, with both the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party claiming an advantage. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.