DIDI AND BHATIJA SHOW SANGH PARIVAR THEIR PLACE

Abhishek's astute strategy, Mamata's charisma and welfare schemes have cut short the BJP's ambitions for Bengal and put TMC in pole position for 2026

- Arkamoy Datta Majumdar

IN the end, it was Didi who had the last laugh. On the evening of June 4, a little after the clock struck six, Mamata Banerjee climbed the stage erected on the backyard of her residence in Kalighat in Kolkata. Clad in a brown-bordered white saree, she looked sprightly even after attending 108 campaign events over 61 days. The joyous mood—with hundreds of slogan-raising Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters caked in trademark green gulal—was welldeserved: under her, the TMC had emerged on top in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, wresting more than two-thirds of the 42 seats in Bengal. On the stage, she held the hand of her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, and congratulated him for his record victory from Diamond Harbour. Before flashing cameras, the TMC chairperson subtly sent out the message that Abhishek is now indubitably the flagbearer of her legacy.

In shaping the party’s campaign strategy, organisation and choice of candidates, Abhishek, after fashioning the 2021 assembly election win, has shaped yet another stunning victory. The BJP’s grand plan of breaching fortress Bengal lies in tatters once again. “He has won by over seven lakh votes. We should congratulate the people,” Mamata said.