Kolkata | April 29, 2026 — As West Bengal concludes its final phase of voting today, the political climate has reached a boiling point. Trinamool Congress (TMC) veteran and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien has thrown a massive political “dare” at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a 31-second video message recorded in Hindi—clearly aimed at a national audience—O’Brien challenged the Prime Minister to resign from his post if Mamata Banerjee’s TMC secures a victory on May 4.
The challenge comes at a time when the BJP has put its entire organizational might into the state. O’Brien’s video specifically targets PM Modi’s campaign style, where the Prime Minister often suggests that he is the face of the candidate in every single seat. “If you are the candidate everywhere and the people of Bengal reject you, will you take responsibility and quit?” O’Brien asked in the video that has since gone viral on social media.
The Context of the Challenge
For the last few months, West Bengal has seen one of the most intense election campaigns in recent history. The BJP, led by the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah, has attacked the TMC’s decade-long rule, focusing on issues of corruption and “Parivarvaad” (dynasty politics). On the other side, the TMC has framed the election as a battle between “Bengali Pride” and “Outsiders.”
Derek O’Brien’s statement is being seen as a tactical move to nationalize the Bengal results. By asking the PM to resign, the TMC is trying to signal that this is not just a state election, but a referendum on the Prime Minister’s popularity. O’Brien noted that since the PM took the credit for the campaign, he must also take the blame if the BJP fails to cross the majority mark of 148 seats in the 294-seat assembly.
BJP Fires Back: The Nandigram Reminder
The BJP was quick to respond to this challenge, though not through the Prime Minister himself. Senior BJP leaders and social media supporters began trending “Nandigram 2021” shortly after the video was released. They reminded the TMC that in the 2021 elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself lost her seat in Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari.
“Did Mamata Banerjee resign as CM after losing her own seat? No. She took a backdoor entry through a by-poll,” said a senior BJP spokesperson. The saffron party maintains that the TMC is sensing defeat and is using such dramatic “challenges” to distract the voters and keep their cadres motivated before the counting day on May 4.
High Stakes for May 4
The Election Commission of India has reported a high voter turnout in the final phase, indicating that the people of Bengal are out in full force. The result on May 4 will determine if Mamata Banerjee can secure a fourth term or if the BJP will finally manage to capture the “Eastern Citadel.”
Political analysts suggest that Derek O’Brien’s move is a double-edged sword. If the TMC wins, it boosts their national standing for the 2029 General Elections. However, if the results are close or in favor of the BJP, such a direct challenge to the PM could backfire, making the TMC look overconfident.
As of now, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and senior Cabinet ministers have maintained a strategic silence, choosing to focus on the completion of the democratic process rather than engaging in a war of words on the day of polling.
FAQ
What exactly did Derek O’Brien say in his video?
Derek O’Brien challenged PM Modi to resign if the TMC wins the West Bengal polls. He argued that because the PM made himself the face of the BJP’s campaign in all 294 seats, he should take responsibility for the outcome.
When will the West Bengal election results be announced?
The counting of votes for all 294 seats is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Why is the BJP mentioning Nandigram in their response?
In 2021, Mamata Banerjee lost her individual seat in Nandigram to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, even though her party won the state. The BJP uses this to argue that the TMC has no moral ground to ask others to resign.
How many seats are needed for a majority in West Bengal?
A party or alliance needs 148 seats out of 294 to form the government in West Bengal.
Has PM Modi responded to the challenge?
No, neither the Prime Minister nor the senior central leadership of the BJP has officially responded to O’Brien’s dare as of the final day of polling.