In a public gathering in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, a senior figure of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised alarm across political circles by issuing a direct challenge to her opponents—particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—with a warning of a “terrifying game” in the forthcoming 2026 Assembly elections.

Chaitali Ghosh Saha, who heads the TMC’s Uttar Dinajpur Mahila Morcha, spoke at the party’s Bijaya Sammilani event where she made a string of powerful declarations. Addressing her audience, she said:

“We will keep Mosarraf da in our hearts. We will keep Mosarraf da close to us. He is like Bhagwan of Hindus, and Allah of Muslims. Bhagwan and Allah have sent their human avatar in the form of Mosaraf Hossain. Under the leadership of Mosaraf Hossain, there will be Bhayankar Khela in the 2026 Vidhan Sabha election.”

These remarks, delivered in the presence of local party workers and supporters, drew enthusiastic applause. But the applause was soon overshadowed by the sharp criticism that followed. Opposition parties accused the TMC of glorifying violence and issuing an open threat to political rivals.

The BJP swiftly reacted. Its IT cell head, Amit Malviya, shared the video widely on his X account and commented, “This is not politics, it’s blatant appeasement and arrogance.”

Within hours, the controversy reverberated across the state, rekindling memories of past election violence linked to fiery slogans. For many observers, Saha’s mention of “Bhayankar Khela” evoked chilling echoes of slogans that, in earlier elections, were tied not just to political rivalry but to acts of aggression and bloodshed.

From “Khela Hobe” to “Bhayankar Khela”: A Deadly Legacy

The TMC slogan “Khela Hobe” (literally, “the game is on”) emerged as a rallying cry before the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls. Coined by TMC leader Debangshu Bhattacharya and popularised by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it began as a sharp jab at the BJP but quickly morphed into something far more potent.

After the TMC’s impressive victory in 2021, Mamata Banerjee declared that the state would annually observe “Khela Hobe Diwas” to celebrate the spirit behind the slogan. In her own words, “People have appreciated ‘Khela Hobe’, so we will have ‘Khela Hobe Diwas’.”

What began as a provocative slogan soon became entwined with intimidation and political violence. TMC workers were repeatedly accused of using the phrase as justification for targeting opponents. The visuals accompanying certain public displays—like a wall painting showing Mamata Banerjee striking the head of Prime Minister Modi with a football—did little to dispel fears of escalation. During her rallies, the Chief Minister did not shy away from inciting party supporters to resist perceived threats from BJP workers or central forces. Reports of violence at multiple stages of polling became a grim hallmark of the period.

When a Slogan Spills Blood

In the aftermath of the 2021 elections, the human cost of political conflict in West Bengal became painfully evident. Over two dozen BJP workers were killed, and many families were forced from their homes.

Several women, claiming to be victims of horrifying gang-rapes during the post-poll violence, petitioned the Supreme Court. They sought a Supreme Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the incidents and alleged that the police had failed in their duty to protect them.

A fact-finding body, the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA), released a report stating that the violence was not spontaneous but “well-planned and targeted,” with a particular focus on BJP supporters from marginalised Hindu communities.

The report documented brutal tactics: supporters of certain parties were made to flee their homes. Properties were set aflame and looted. Some victims were coerced into signing statements renouncing their political affiliations. The perpetrators were also accused of severing water supply, destroying bridges that connected villages, and denying livelihoods to those believed to support rival parties. In many cases, victims were forced to issue public apologies for their political allegiance.

Even after the tumultuous events, the TMC’s decision to institutionalize “Khela Hobe Diwas” drew widespread condemnation. Critics perceived it as an attempt by the ruling party to glorify a slogan deeply intertwined with intimidation, violence, and political retribution.

Now, as Chaitali Ghosh Saha’s call for a “Bhayankar Khela” in 2026 gains widespread attention, the opposition claims the TMC is resurrecting a culture of political terror. They argue that the rhetorical weapon is once more being sharpened—this time, for another potentially bloody electoral season ahead.