The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has unveiled a customised 'Snakes and Ladders' game as part of its campaign outreach ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The move is aimed at connecting with voters, particularly in rural Bengal, by turning a familiar household game into a political messaging tool.
People can play the game online in Bengali and English languages here, the link of which was made available by the TMC digital team.
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Snakes and Ladders board repurposed for political campaign
Taking forward the momentum of its 2021 slogan "Khela Hobe", the party has introduced a new twist by adapting the traditional board game format. The specially-designed board is intended to communicate political messaging in a simple and accessible way, using visuals and gameplay to engage voters.
The game follows the standard format with 100 squares, dice and tokens, making it a ready-to-use set. According to sources, the boards are expected to be distributed widely in villages and semi-urban areas, where such games are commonly played during social gatherings.
State initiatives pitched as 'ladders' to prosperity
In the customised version, welfare schemes introduced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are represented as ladders, symbolising progress and support. Programmes such as Lakshmir Bhandar and Banglar Bari are highlighted as boosts that help people move forward.
The design positions these schemes as steps that allow players to climb faster, reinforcing the message of development linked to state initiatives.
Centre and BJP described as bottlenecks
The snakes on the board symbolically represent the Central government and BJP leaders, portraying them as obstacles. The layout suggests setbacks linked to alleged deprivation from the Centre, which players must avoid while moving ahead.
To reach the final square marked as "Joy Bangla", players must navigate the board while avoiding these setbacks. The final stretch includes a "two-headed snake" featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah.
The board also includes instructions for gameplay, making it suitable for immediate use. Political observers describe the initiative as a strategic "mind game" that blends entertainment with messaging. The approach is aimed at reinforcing the party's narrative while engaging voters ahead of the Assembly elections.
