Major political parties in poll-bound West Bengal on Saturday (March 21, 2026) used the Id-ul-Fitr festivities to highlight their electoral narrative and target their political opponents. Like every year, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee participated in the Id-ul-Fitr prayers on Kolkata’s Red Road, where she targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“When you go abroad, you shake hands with leaders and speak of friendship. That is your choice, and I respect all countries. But when you return to India, suddenly the Hindu-Muslim narrative begins, and people are called infiltrators,” Ms. Banerjee said, targeting Mr. Modi. She called the Prime Minister and his government “biggest infiltrator”.

Ms. Banerjee said that she would resist any attempt to take away voting rights. ”We will not allow Modi ji and the BJP to take away your voting rights. We will fight till the end,” she said, addressing the gathering.

For the past few months, the Chief Minister has criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and maintains that it is an attempt to take away the voting rights of the people of the State.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister visited certain neighbourhoods of the city such as Collin Lane, Ripon Street, and Beck Bagan, where she interacted with residents of the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.

“I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges faced by many citizens regarding their rightful place in the electoral rolls. I have approached the appropriate legal forums, including the Hon’ble courts, with the hope that the constitutional rights of every individual will be protected,” she said in a statement on social media.

Since 2011, when the Trinamool Congress came to power, Muslims, who comprise about 27% of the State’s electorate, have supported the party.

Prayed for well-being of sanatanis: Suvendu

On the day the Chief Minister participated in Id festivities, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari offered prayers at the Kalighat temple in the city.

Raising the Hindutva pitch, Mr. Adhikari said that he prayed for the well-being of ‘sanatanis’ and that there is no attack on Hindus and their places of worship. The BJP leader also said that he prayed that there is no recurrence of incidents like rape and murder at R.G. Kar Hospital.

“Anyone who calls the Prime Minister of the country an infiltrator does not deserve to hold a constitutional post. I think she has lost her mind, she should visit Ranchi (referring to the mental health facility in Ranchi) immediately,” Mr. Adhikari said.

The LOP, who is contesting against the Chief Minister in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, claimed that Ms. Banerjee would not win the seat. Instead, she should try her luck from the minority-dominated Metiabruz in Kolkata, he said.

Mr. Adhikari has started campaigning in Bhabanipur and the Chief Minister will start her campaign after Id.

Ms. Banerjee, who spoke about “divisive forces” seeking to “fracture our social fabric” in the evening, visited a temple. “Smt. Mamata Banerjee offered her prayers at Maa Bagalamukhi Temple, seeking the divine blessings of the Mother Goddess for the continued protection and well-being of the Maa, Mati, Manush of Bengal,” the Trinamool Congress posted on social media.

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.