The ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP has mounted an aggressive campaign to unseat the incumbent government.
‘Got the guts?’: TMC’s Derek O’Brien dares PM Modi to resign if party retains Bengal amid high-stakes poll battle. (Pics: IANS)
In the middle of a fierce electoral showdown in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Wednesday threw a direct political challenge at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to step down if the ruling TMC returns to power, escalating rhetoric as voting progressed in the crucial second phase of the Assembly elections.
Advertisement
Narendra, aapne announce kiya tha, Bangal ki sabhi 294 seats par aap hi candidate hain
Advertisement
Badi-badi baat chhodiye. Ye challenge sweekar kijiye
4 May ko jab Mamata Banerjee aur TMC Bangal jeetenge, PRADHAN MANTRI PAD SE RESIGNATION DIJIYE
Hain dum? pic.twitter.com/0i81SHyhOf
— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2026
As polling got underway across key districts, O’Brien took to social media platform X with a sharply worded post targeting the Prime Minister’s campaign in the state.
“Narendra, you had announced that you are the candidate for all 294 seats in Bengal. Drop the big talk. Accept this challenge,” he wrote.
He went further, raising the stakes: “On 4 May, when Mamata Banerjee and TMC win Bengal, resign from the Prime Minister’s post. Got the guts?”
The remarks come amid an intense face-off between the TMC and the BJP, with both sides projecting the election as a prestige battle.
Narendra, aapne announce kiya tha, Bangal ki sabhi 294 seats par aap hi candidate hain
Badi-badi baat chhodiye. Ye challenge sweekar kijiye
4 May ko jab Mamata Banerjee aur TMC Bangal jeetenge, PRADHAN MANTRI PAD SE RESIGNATION DIJIYE
Hain dum? pic.twitter.com/0i81SHyhOf
— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2026
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi issued an appeal to voters, urging maximum participation in the democratic exercise.
“Today is the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026. I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers… it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers,” he said in a post.
আজ পশ্চিমবঙ্গ বিধানসভা নির্বাচন ২০২৬-এর দ্বিতীয় দফা।
আজ যাঁরা ভোট দিচ্ছেন তাঁদের সকলকে রেকর্ড সংখ্যায় ভোট দিয়ে আমাদের গণতন্ত্রকে আরও প্রাণবন্ত এবং অংশগ্রহণমূলক করে তোলার আহ্বান জানাচ্ছি। বিশেষ করে, এটি অত্যন্ত জরুরী যে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের নারী ও যুবশক্তি, বিপুল সংখ্যায় উপস্থিত হয়ে…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2026
Polling began at 7 am in 142 Assembly constituencies spread across Kolkata and six districts: North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Nadia and East Burdwan, marking the final phase of the two-stage election.
The contest will determine the political fate of 1,448 candidates, including 220 women, in what is being seen as one of the most closely watched state elections of the year.
The first phase of voting on April 23 recorded a strong turnout of 91.78 per cent, setting expectations for another robust participation in the second round.
The ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP has mounted an aggressive campaign to unseat the incumbent government.
With results scheduled for May 4, O’Brien’s public dare has added a new layer of political drama to an already high-voltage contest, turning the Bengal election into a direct face-off between regional dominance and national ambition.
Advertisement
