Politics

The street fighter returns: Mamata Banerjee's political comeback from Electoral defeat to the Delhi's street

Mamata Banerjee’s electoral defeat appeared to mark the end of her political career. But her detention in Delhi, defiant songs inside a police van and renewed opposition support have revived the street fighter’s image. Can she turn this moment into a lasting comeback?

Atri Bhattacharya
8 min read
The street fighter returns: Mamata Banerjee's political comeback from Electoral defeat to the Delhi's street

‘The Political End’ that never came

When the results of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections were declared, a narrative quickly gained ground in political circles: Mamata Banerjee’s political career was over. After 15 years in power, the Trinamool Congress had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the BJP, which won 207 seats. Mamata herself lost Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari. Everywhere, the image of a defeated and dispirited Mamata Banerjee dominated the political conversation.

But wi...

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Written by
Atri Bhattacharya
Atri Bhattacharya
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