West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made a strong political statement during the ongoing West Bengal assembly elections 2026, saying her party will aim for a larger role at the national level after securing victory in the state.

Addressing a rally, Banerjee said that once her party wins the Bengal elections, it will move forward to “take over Delhi,” indicating a broader political strategy beyond the state. The remark comes at a time when campaigning has intensified across constituencies.

Her statement is being seen as part of a wider push by the Trinamool Congress to position itself as a key force against the Bharatiya Janata Party at the national level.

Banerjee has repeatedly expressed confidence that her party will return to power in West Bengal, aiming for another consecutive term.

Political context

The West Bengal elections have witnessed aggressive campaigning from both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Leaders from both sides have exchanged sharp remarks, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the contest.

Banerjee’s latest comment adds to her earlier calls for opposition unity and signals her intent to expand political influence beyond the state. Similar remarks in recent weeks have indicated that her party sees the Bengal result as a stepping stone toward a larger national role.

At the same time, BJP leaders have projected confidence about their performance in the elections, further intensifying the political contest.

High-stakes election

The 2026 West Bengal assembly elections are crucial for both parties, with the Trinamool Congress seeking to retain power and the BJP aiming to make significant inroads in the state.

Banerjee’s “Delhi” remark underscores the broader national implications of the election, as regional parties increasingly position themselves in the national political landscape.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a high-level meeting with bank heads and key stakeholders to assess cybersecurity risks linked to artificial intelligence (AI) in the banking sector.

The meeting comes amid global concerns over advanced AI models that could potentially expose vulnerabilities in financial systems. Authorities discussed how such technologies may be misused to exploit software weaknesses and compromise sensitive banking data.

Banks asked to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks

During the discussions, banks were advised to take pre-emptive measures to secure IT systems, protect customer data, and safeguard financial assets.

The government emphasised the need for robust cybersecurity infrastructure, including stronger monitoring systems and improved incident response protocols. Banks were also encouraged to enhance internal preparedness against evolving digital threats driven by AI technologies.

Focus on real-time threat intelligence sharing

A key takeaway from the meeting was the push to establish a real-time threat intelligence sharing mechanism between banks, regulatory bodies, and cybersecurity agencies such as CERT-In.

This system is expected to help identify emerging risks early and enable faster response across the financial ecosystem, reducing the chances of large-scale disruptions.

Concerns linked to advanced AI models

The review gains significance in light of concerns around advanced AI systems, including models that reportedly highlight vulnerabilities in widely used software environments.

Officials noted that while AI offers significant benefits, it also introduces new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity, requiring coordinated action across institutions.

Government adopts proactive approach

The meeting reflects the government’s broader strategy to stay ahead of technological risks while promoting digital growth.

With increasing adoption of AI in financial services, authorities are focusing on ensuring that innovation is matched with strong safeguards to maintain trust and stability in the banking system.

Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.