Mamata today announced the list of 291 TMC candidates, preparing the ground for a fierce election battle with the BJP in the state. The West Bengal Chief Minister expressed confidence that her party will once again get a comfortable majority. Announcing the names of the party candidates, Mamata said, “We will win more than 226 seats in the 2026 assembly elections. BJP’s seats will decrease in this election. They will get a befitting reply for their anti-people policies.”On the other hand, BJP is confident of winning West Bengal this time and Suvendu will also repeat the achievement of 2021 by defeating Mamata once again. West Bengal BJP president and MP Samik Bhattacharya said, “Suvendu Adhikari will win from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur by huge margins. This is not just about the BJP; it reflects the mood of the people.”But while Suvendu will try to keep Mamata in check in Bhawanipur, she herself may face a tough situation in Nandigram, where TMC has fielded a former BJP panchayat chief.Pabitra Kar, considered close to Suvendu Adhikari, rejoined the ruling TMC hours before the party announced candidates and has been pitted against the BJP leader in Nandigram.TMC said in a social media post that Kar was “dissatisfied with the anti-people stance of the BJP”. Kar, who left TMC and joined the BJP in November 2020, played a key role in strengthening the saffron party’s organizational structure in the Boyal-1 region and is believed to have been instrumental in securing gains for the BJP in the region five years ago. In the 2021 assembly elections, Suvendu Adhikari had won narrowly in Nandigram by getting 1,10,764 votes, while Mamata got 1,08,808 votes.Mamta targets Election Commission, raises questions on timing of administrative reshuffleMamata launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, alleging that at the behest of the BJP, senior administrative and police officers are being transferred before the assembly elections.Addressing reporters while announcing the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the 2026 assembly elections, Banerjee wondered “Why are senior officials being transferred just before Eid? Is there a plan to instigate riots before the elections?”The Chief Minister alleged that the list of officers who were transferred was prepared in the BJP office and the decision was implemented only by the Election Commission.He further alleged that some officials were brought in from outside West Bengal to assist the BJP in the electoral process. Accusing the Election Commission of working under political pressure, the TMC supremo said the Election Commission was “playing a good game on behalf of the BJP”.“He should directly campaign for the BJP,” he said.Banerjee also alleged that the transfers were aimed at facilitating the movement of money and arms to the BJP ahead of the elections.