As West Bengal gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has launched its official campaign song, titled “Abar Jitbe Bangla” — meaning “Bengal Will Win Again.” The launch, held on Saturday, comes at a politically charged moment in the state, marked by confrontations between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well as scrutiny by central agencies over alleged financial irregularities.

The party took to its official X (formerly Twitter) handle to announce the release, stating:
“Our campaign song for #AbarJitbeBangla is finally here, ready to ignite every corner of Bengal.”

The song has been described by the TMC as “the heartbeat of the state’s resistance, the anthem of its pride, and the voice of the party’s enduring slogan, Ma-Mati-Manush,” which translates to Mother-Soil-Human. It aims to capture the cultural, historical, and political identity of Bengal, while simultaneously serving as a critique of the ruling BJP at the Centre.

Cultural and Historical Appeal

The visuals accompanying the song highlight Bengal as a land of luminaries such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, and Rabindranath Tagore, creating a narrative that links Bengal’s historical pride and intellectual legacy with the TMC’s contemporary political vision.

One sequence contrasts the state’s illustrious past with clips of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside words reading: “Aage nijer maati shamla” (“Look after your own land first”). These segments are juxtaposed with images of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, leading protest marches, emphasizing the party’s stance against what it describes as “central interference” in state affairs.

The song thus blends a celebration of regional identity, resistance, and political mobilization, signaling that TMC’s campaign will not merely focus on administrative achievements, but also on defending Bengal’s autonomy and cultural pride.

Abhishek Banerjee’s Political Messaging

Speaking on the release of the song, TMC president Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of being “Bangla-birodhi”(enemy of Bengal) and undermining citizens’ voting rights. In his social media post, he wrote:

“When power is pursued through narrow, self-serving ambitions, democracy becomes the first casualty. Bangla-Birodhi BJP, having failed to earn the trust of Bengal’s people, now resorts to muzzling those very voices by stripping citizens of their voting rights.”

He further alleged that under the BJP-led central government, democratic institutions are being bent to partisan will, dissent is criminalized, and citizens are coerced into silence out of fear.

“With the blessings of our Maa, Mati, Manush, Bengal will rise, reclaim its rights, and restore its democratic pride,”Abhishek Banerjee added, linking the party’s political message to both religious and cultural symbolism in the state.

Central Agencies and Political Tensions

The launch of the campaign song comes in the wake of heightened tensions between the TMC and the BJP, particularly following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Kolkata earlier this week. The agency conducted searches at the residence of Pratik Jain, head of political consultancy I-PAC, in connection with a money laundering case tied to alleged coal smuggling.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited the site, condemning the raids as politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the state government. The TMC leadership has maintained that the proceedings were peaceful until the chief minister arrived, asserting that her presence was in defense of democratic rights and transparency.

The following day, Banerjee led a march with TMC leaders, MPs, and MLAs in Kolkata, directly challenging the BJP to contest the elections fairly. This public display of protest was accompanied by widespread coverage on local media and social media platforms, framing the TMC as a party defending state rights and democratic principles.

Electoral Strategy and Messaging

The campaign song is part of a broader political strategy to consolidate support among traditional TMC voters while appealing to undecided citizens. By highlighting Bengal’s historical figures and cultural heritage, the TMC seeks to mobilize regional pride and create a narrative that positions the party as the true custodian of Bengal’s identity.

The inclusion of visuals that critique the central government is indicative of a dual-pronged approach: appealing to local sentiment while challenging the BJP’s authority. The party’s narrative frames the elections not only as a contest for governance but as a battle for cultural and democratic autonomy.

Political analysts note that the use of campaign songs and multimedia content has become increasingly important in West Bengal’s elections, particularly in a highly competitive environment where social media and viral content significantly influence voter perceptions. The TMC’s messaging emphasizes emotional and cultural resonance, seeking to evoke loyalty among voters by linking political allegiance to pride in Bengal’s legacy.

Public Reception and Criticism

Early reactions to the song have been largely supportive among TMC cadres and supporters, who have praised it for capturing the “spirit of resistance and pride”. However, political opponents argue that the song is primarily a propaganda tool, designed to polarize voters and distract from administrative challenges faced by the state government.

BJP leaders have dismissed the accusations of central interference as politically motivated claims, stating that the TMC is attempting to manufacture a narrative of victimhood to gain electoral advantage. Analysts believe that the song and related campaign content will play a role in shaping urban and rural voter sentiment, especially in constituencies with historically tight contests.

Broader Political Context

West Bengal’s political environment has been tense in recent months, with the TMC and BJP engaged in high-stakes electoral competition. Central agencies’ involvement in legal investigations, public protests by the state government, and the release of politically charged campaign content are all part of a broader narrative of confrontation.

The TMC’s campaign strategy, including the song, reflects a blend of cultural symbolism, political mobilization, and assertive messaging against opponents. By linking the elections to issues of regional identity, democratic rights, and opposition to central authority, the party aims to reinforce its emotional connect with voters across the state.

Conclusion

The launch of “Abar Jitbe Bangla” marks the beginning of an intense phase in West Bengal’s electoral politics, with the TMC leveraging both cultural pride and political activism to galvanize support. The song, coupled with public protests and messaging against the BJP, underscores the party’s effort to position itself as the defender of Bengal’s democracy, heritage, and autonomy.

As the state moves closer to polling day, political observers will be watching how the campaign resonates with voters, especially amid heightened tensions and allegations of central interference. The TMC’s strategy demonstrates the increasing role of music, visuals, and social media in modern electioneering, while also highlighting the deep polarization in West Bengal politics.

Whether the campaign song translates into electoral success or becomes another flashpoint in political confrontationremains to be seen, but it has undeniably set the tone for a fiercely contested election season in the state.