Political Disputes in West Bengal Continue as Legal and Allegation Battles Erupt

There is ongoing tension in West Bengal political scene, with accusations, legal notices, and lawsuits recently made by two major political figures. The dispute began with allegations made by Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, against Suvendu Adhikari and the Union Home Minister, claiming their involvement in a coal scam. These allegations were made on January 8 and 9, 2026. In response, Suvendu Adhikari sent a legal notice to Banerjee on January 10, 2026. He demanded that she provide proof of her claims within 72 hours. If she failed to do so, he threatened to take her to court for defamation. Later, on January 17, 2026, Adhikari filed a defamation lawsuit against Banerjee, seeking damages of 100 crore rupees. This was because she did not present the evidence he had requested. The disagreements go beyond legal notices. Adhikari has publicly accused Banerjee of engaging in political tactics that he describes as “cheap politics.” One such issue is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, known as SIR. Adhikari alleges that Banerjee's actions in this process are attempts to distract from other issues affecting the state. He also criticizes her for not creating enough employment opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, eight lakh young people left Bengal in search of jobs, which he says is a sign of poor employment policies. There are also serious allegations against Banerjee that date back several years. In April 2025, Adhikari accused her of benefiting her relatives through a teacher recruitment scam in Birbhum. He claimed that her relative received a bribe of 700 to 800 crore rupees in connection with the scam, and he demanded her resignation based on these accusations. As of February 2026, there has been no official confirmation of this alleged scam. Further allegations from Adhikari include claims that funds allocated for the Mid-Day Meal scheme were diverted for Banerjee’s personal trips. He made this charge in January 2023, criticizing what he described as misuse of resources meant to feed children. Once again, there has been no official evidence or confirmation of this claim. Adhikari has also accused Banerjee of undermining the Election Commission of India. In November 2025, he alleged that she shielded what he called an “illicit vote-bank” during the SIR process. He accused her of politically motivated actions aimed at influencing the electoral process. Such claims suggest concerns about fairness and transparency in elections. Other allegations involve Banerjee’s remarks about community and religion. In March 2025, Adhikari criticized her for calling him a practicing “fake Hindu” after he made remarks about Muslim Members of the Legislative Assembly. He accused her of dividing the population along religious lines. There are also accusations about Banerjee’s efforts to maintain the political status of her party. In April 2023, Adhikari claimed that she called Union Home Minister Amit Shah to request that her party’s status as a national party be preserved until 2024. Banerjee denied this claim, and as of February 2026, there is no official confirmation about this alleged conversation. Many of these accusations are part of a long-standing political rivalry. In March 2021, Adhikari accused Banerjee of submitting a false affidavit by hiding six cases against her, calling her a “liar” at that time. He also alleged that CCTV cameras at voting booths were disabled during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to allow illegal voting, further questioning election integrity. These allegations have continued to create tension but have not all been officially confirmed. As of February 2026, there has been no official proof of the teacher recruitment scam, funds diversion for trips, or the undermining of the Election Commission. The disputes mainly remain at the level of accusations and legal notices. This ongoing series of allegations and legal actions underscores deep political divisions within West Bengal. The controversy has implications both for governance and public trust. It also highlights the complex nature of political rivalry and the use of legal measures as tools in political battles. The situation remains dynamic, and further developments could have important consequences for the state's political landscape.