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Religion is set to play a significant role in the 2026 Bengal elections, with Mamata Banerjee’s temple initiatives and Suvendu Adhikari’s Hindutva focus.
The Digha temple, along with initiatives like the Kalighat temple skywalk, allows Mamata to counter BJP’s narrative of her minority bias. (Image: PTI)
Will religion emerge as a decisive factor in the 2026 Bengal elections? This question resonates within Bengal’s political circles, fueled by recent developments. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently spearheaded the construction of a grand Jagannath temple in Digha, slated for a grand inauguration on Akshay Tritiya on April 29. Simultaneously, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari revealed plans for a Ram Mandir in his Nandigram constituency, with a large-scale event planned for the first week of April.
Experts believe both events carry significant political weight. The BJP has consistently accused Mamata Banerjee’s government of harbouring a pro-minority bias. The Digha temple, along with initiatives like the Kalighat temple skywalk, allows Mamata to counter this narrative, showcasing her government’s commitment to the Hindu community. During the Assembly budget discussion, Mamata, asserting her Brahmin identity, emphasised that she needs no lessons on Hindutva from the BJP. Party insiders highlight the extensive work undertaken for Hindus, emphasising the Bengal ethos of practising all religions while celebrating festivities together. They believe that alongside welfare schemes, religious initiatives will be a talking point in the upcoming elections.
While the TMC aims to project inclusivity and its contributions to the Hindu community, the BJP appears poised to fully leverage the Hindutva card. Adhikari, echoing the sentiment of a Hindu renaissance, points to the situation in Bangladesh and Mamata’s alleged appeasement politics as campaign fodder. Senior BJP leaders suggest a sustained focus on the “Sanatan” identity. Adhikari’s stance is clear: cater to the awakened Hindu voice in Bengal.
The convergence of these events suggests religion will be closely intertwined with the 2026 elections. Political analyst Sambit Pal observes that identity politics has been shaping Bengal’s socio-political landscape since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He notes the opposition leader’s attempts to communalise the political discourse and Mamata Banerjee’s efforts to shed her pro-minority image. “A communal narrative may dominate the next assembly elections campaign with the situation in Bangladesh and manipulation in the voter’s list. The welfare-scheme politics is likely to take a backseat,” Pal said.
It seems inevitable that religion, whether welcomed or not, will be a significant factor influencing the 2026 elections.
