Chargesheet politics returns as Amit Shah targets TMC ahead of Bengal polls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday intensified the BJP’s election campaign in West Bengal by releasing a detailed political chargesheet termed Abhiyognama against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its leader Mamata Banerjee . The document outlines what the BJP calls systemic failures and governance lapses during Banerjee’s nearly 15-year tenure, linking them to law-and-order breakdowns, corruption, border security issues, and policy mismanagement , and framing the upcoming assembly polls as crucial not only for the state but also for national security .

According to the BJP, under Banerjee’s leadership, West Bengal has suffered from endemic corruption, lax administration, and political patronage networks . The chargesheet accuses the TMC government of fostering “fear, corruption and lies” , allowing syndicate raj and mismanagement in multiple sectors including health, education, infrastructure, and women’s safety. It further claims that the state under her tenure has become a vulnerable corridor for illegal infiltration , with border security compromised due to her alleged refusal to provide land for fencing , which the BJP describes as politically motivated appeasement politics.

The BJP document singles out Mamata Banerjee’s leadership conduct , alleging she frequently plays the victim card to deflect criticism, dramatizes legal or health issues for political gain, and prioritises vote-bank politics over governance . The chargesheet also references past controversies involving senior TMC leaders including the Rose Valley and Saradha financial scandals , recruitment irregularities, and other alleged corruption cases to highlight systemic misrule under her tenure.

In response, the TMC released a counter-chargesheet , criticizing BJP-ruled states for governance failures, questioning the motives behind the political document, and accusing the BJP of selective targeting and double standards. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticized voter roll revisions, calling alleged removals of names from electoral lists a “murder of democracy” , and is under Election Commission scrutiny for potentially provocative remarks during the campaign period.

Separately, Banerjee is involved in ongoing legal scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding alleged obstruction of investigations during the I-PAC raid , which is pending judicial review in the Supreme Court . These legal matters are distinct from the BJP’s political chargesheet and do not constitute criminal charges solely based on the campaign document.

The BJP’s strategy mirrors its approach in other states, where political “chargesheets” have been used to highlight governance failures under opposition rule. In West Bengal (2016) , Maharashtra (2019) , Kerala (2016) , Punjab (2017) , and Odisha (2019) , BJP or its allies circulated similar reports, which primarily increased vote share and set the narrative but rarely toppled incumbent governments outright. Opposition parties often respond with counter-reports, but BJP-style chargesheets are a hallmark of its modern, centralised campaign approach.

The Abhiyognama positions the West Bengal elections with polling scheduled for April 23 and April 29 and counting on May 4 as a choice between continuing what BJP describes as longstanding misrule under Mamata Banerjee and a new direction focusing on security, governance, and development . The BJP asserts that the stakes extend beyond state politics, framing the vote as critical for the country’s overall stability and national interest .