# Mamata Banerjee to attend INDIA bloc meet on September 30

2026-09-26T16:27:03+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will attend the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on September 30, after a phone conversation with CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby. The meeting is expected to discuss the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Banerjee said she agreed to Baby's proposal for broader opposition unity on the issue. She has also spoken to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about the meeting. At a rally in Serampore, Banerjee escalated her attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling him "Vanish Kumar" and demanding his removal. She alleged that the SIR exercise led to the deletion of 92 lakh names from voter rolls in West Bengal, with 27 lakh still excluded. The Election Commission has said the revision aims to ensure accuracy. The INDIA bloc was formed in 2023 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections but has seen internal differences since.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The coverage splits on whether this is a genuine opposition mobilisation or a political attack. Hindustan Times and New Indian Express report the coordination as a straight news development, while India Today amplifies Banerjee's aggressive rhetoric and personal attacks on the CEC. The Hindu frames the story through Baby's call for an 'INDIA Bloc-Plus' and the institutional stakes, but also gives space to Banerjee's charge that Kumar has 'hijacked' the EC. The critical framing foregrounds alleged voter roll manipulation, while the neutral reports treat it as normal politics. The September 30 meeting will test whether this coordination translates into a sustained campaign or remains rhetorical.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tmc-chief-mamata-banerjee-to-attend-india-bloc-meeting-on-september-30-101790435021552.html>
  Reports coordination as news, includes both Banerjee's allegations and EC's defence
- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/26/mamata-responds-to-m-a-babys-outreach-agrees-to-work-together-on-election-commission-issue>
  Focuses on Baby's outreach and Banerjee's positive response, no editorialising
- indiatoday.in (sensationalist) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/trinamool-congress-chief-mamata-banerjee-warn-bjp-ouster-chief-election-commissioner-gyanesh-kumar-rejinagar-nandigram-india-bloc-meet-3003757-2026-09-26?utm_source=rss>
  Leads with Banerjee's threat to retaliate, drama-first framing
- thehindu.com (government critical) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cec-row-cpim-general-secretary-ma-baby-pushes-for-broader-opposition-unity-calls-for-india-bloc-plus/article71513487.ece>
  Leads with demand for CEC removal, presents opposition unity as a storm against government
- thehindu.com (government critical) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bloc-meeting-likely-to-be-held-in-delhi-on-sep-30-mamata-amid-sir-row/article71512839.ece>
  Leads with demand for CEC removal, presents opposition unity as a storm against government

Tags: CPI(M), Election Commission, Gyanesh Kumar, INDIA bloc, Mamata Banerjee, TMC
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