Asaduddin Owaisi (chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) has ramped up his campaign rhetoric as the West Bengal Assembly elections approach. He criticized the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) for its failure to promote development, stating that it has led to the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Owaisi expressed frustration over being denied permission to campaign, attributing this to local authorities' bias. He claimed, "Nobody wants to see the civic issues that we are facing and development has been zero in these constituencies." He also accused the TMC and the Indian National Congress (INC) of colluding, calling them "partners in crime." Owaisi challenged the BJP to address infiltration issues, specifically mentioning Bangladeshi-Swedish author Taslima Nasreen, and asserted that Muslims are looking for leaders who genuinely represent their interests rather than treating them as a mere vote bank. With the second phase of polling scheduled for May 29, 2026, Owaisi's comments highlight the intensifying political landscape in West Bengal.