West Bengal CM accuses central government of targeting Bengalis and manipulating voter lists ahead of 2026 elections.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the central government on February 21, 2026, of targeting Bengali migrant workers and manipulating the voter list through the Special Intensive Revision to undermine the state’s autonomy. Speaking at the Matra Bhasha Diwas event in Kolkata, she condemned the harassment of Bengalis in other states for speaking Bangla, labeled the political climate authoritarian, and called the killing of a 24-year-old migrant worker in Pune a hate crime. She conferred the state’s highest honor, Bangabibhushan, on BJP MP Anant Maharaj, who accepted the award. Her remarks come amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.