Kolkata

Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday addressed an election rally in Jorasanko Assembly constituency, where he compared governance in West Bengal with the situation in Uttar Pradesh before 2017.

Campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Adityanath alleged that Bengal was facing lawlessness similar to what Uttar Pradesh had experienced earlier. He claimed that Uttar Pradesh had since changed significantly and that people there were now living in what he described as a new era of “Ram Rajya.”

He also said there was a strong sense of respect for India’s heritage in Uttar Pradesh and credited it to a “double-engine” BJP government.

Launching a political attack on the ruling dispensation in Bengal, Adityanath referred to comments by Kolkata’s civic leadership and said no one should be allowed to interfere with Bengali identity. He further claimed Bengal’s identity was rooted in its cultural and spiritual traditions.

The UP chief minister also accused the state government of failing on law and order and raised issues related to cow slaughter and restrictions on religious celebrations such as Durga Puja. He alleged that permissions for such events were denied under the current administration.

The West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 will be held in two phases for all 294 seats. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

According to the Election Commission of India, the first phase covers 152 constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats.

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The state is expected to witness a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, which is aiming to form the government.