Visual summary of major scandals and rape cases during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure that may impact her bid for a fourth term.
Kolkata, July 2025 — As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee eyes a historic fourth term, her government is grappling with the political fallout of multiple scandals — from multi-crore corruption cases to alarming incidents of sexual violence. With opposition parties intensifying their attacks and public trust visibly shaken, the looming question is: Will these scandals cost Mamata her fourth consecutive term?
Corruption and Scandals Under Mamata Banerjee: A Political Timeline
The Growing List of Scandals
Over the past decade, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) has faced numerous allegations of corruption, misgovernance, and criminal shielding. The most prominent among them include:
1. Saradha Chit Fund Scam: The Financial Scandal That Shook Bengal
One of the earliest blows to the TMC’s clean-image narrative, the Saradha scam involved a ₹2,500 crore Ponzi scheme. Multiple TMC leaders were arrested or interrogated, and questions were raised over the state government’s silence. The scam affected thousands of middle-class investors across Bengal, leaving a lasting impact on Mamata’s political capital.
2. Narada Sting Operation: Bribery Allegations Against TMC Leaders
In 2016, footage emerged showing several senior TMC leaders allegedly accepting cash bribes in return for political favors. While Mamata claimed the videos were doctored, the public perception of widespread corruption gained ground. The CBI later filed chargesheets, further damaging TMC’s image of transparency.
3. School Jobs Scam (SSC): Education Sector Under Shadow of Corruption
In what is now known as the SSC jobs scam, former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested for allegedly selling school jobs and hoarding crores in cash and property. The ED recovered ₹50 crore from his aide, shocking citizens and denting TMC’s “pro-poor” narrative.
4. Cattle Smuggling and Coal Scam
Top leaders including Anubrata Mondal, a TMC heavyweight from Birbhum, were arrested for their alleged involvement in cattle smuggling and coal rackets. These syndicates operated with impunity, with alleged political protection, further raising eyebrows about the ruling party’s control over law enforcement.
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Rape Cases in West Bengal During Mamata Banerjee’s Rule: A Rising Concern
1. Sandeshkhali Sexual Assault Case: Women Accuse TMC Leaders
Perhaps the most politically devastating scandal emerged from Sandeshkhali in early 2024. Multiple women accused TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of rape, land grabbing, and torture. The CM’s refusal to visit the victims and her remark that “false allegations are being made” drew nationwide criticism. The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe, and the matter became a lightning rod for opposition unity.
2. RG Kar Rape and Murder: Doctor’s Death Sparks National Outcry
In August 2024, a young doctor was found raped and murdered inside RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The initial police inaction and delayed CBI involvement sparked protests across the medical fraternity. The victim’s father openly blamed Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of failing to protect women and even attempting to silence witnesses through money and pressure.
3. Hanskhali Gang Rape Case: A Minor Girl’s Death and CM’s Controversial Comment
A minor girl was gang-raped and her body allegedly cremated without the family’s consent. Mamata Banerjee stirred outrage by publicly asking, “Was it rape or an affair?” Her comment was slammed as insensitive, and the case further chipped away at her image as a champion of women.
4. 2025 Campus Gang Rapes: Student Safety Concerns in West Bengal
In 2025, a law student was gang-raped on campus, reigniting the debate over women’s safety under TMC. The Union Education Minister and various civil society groups held the Mamata government accountable for systemic lapses and deteriorating law and order in West Bengal.
Is Mamata’s Fourth Term in Jeopardy?
The accumulation of corruption scandals and sexual violence cases, particularly those involving TMC leaders or with political shielding, has eroded public trust. For many, Mamata’s image as “Didi, the protector of the poor” no longer holds.
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Urban voters and the youth demographic, especially women, appear increasingly disillusioned.
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The BJP and Congress have aggressively spotlighted these issues in their campaigns, framing Mamata’s rule as one of “chaos and cover-ups.”
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The CBI and ED probes into TMC leaders remain active and may yield fresh controversies as elections near.
However, Mamata still enjoys grassroots loyalty in rural Bengal and among minority voters. Her welfare schemes, like Duare Sarkar and Kanyashree, continue to resonate with a large base. Moreover, her organizational control of the TMC machinery is formidable.
How These Scandals Could Derail Mamata Banerjee’s 2026 Election Campaign
While Mamata Banerjee remains a towering figure in Bengal politics, the compounding effect of corruption, rape scandals, and administrative apathy poses a serious challenge to her fourth-term aspirations. Whether these incidents tip the electoral scales depends on how effectively the opposition capitalizes on public anger — and whether voters prioritize governance accountability over loyalty.
With 2026 elections fast approaching, the road ahead for Mamata Banerjee is more uncertain than ever.
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