Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of appeasing the Muslim vote bank at the expense of national security. Addressing party workers in Kolkata on Sunday, June 1, 2025, Shah alleged that Banerjee's opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act and her handling of the recent Murshidabad riots demonstrate a willingness to compromise the country's interests for political gain. He went on to predict that the people of West Bengal would oust her Trinamool Congress (TMC) from power in the 2026 assembly elections.
Shah's remarks centered on two key issues: the Waqf Amendment Act and the violence that erupted in Murshidabad during protests against the law. The Waqf Amendment Act, intended to streamline the management and administration of Waqf properties (Islamic endowments), has faced opposition from some Muslim groups who fear it could lead to government interference in religious affairs. Banerjee has voiced concerns about the law, arguing that it could be used to target Muslim institutions. Shah, however, contends that her opposition is simply a ploy to appease her Muslim vote base, even if it means obstructing reforms that could benefit the community.
The Murshidabad riots, which resulted in several deaths and injuries, further fueled the war of words between Shah and Banerjee. Shah alleged that the riots were "state-sponsored," claiming that TMC leaders were involved in instigating the violence. He also criticized Banerjee's government for allegedly obstructing the deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the riots, implying that this allowed the violence to escalate. Banerjee has vehemently denied these allegations, accusing Shah of orchestrating a conspiracy to destabilize the state and undermine her government. She has also raised questions about the role of the BSF, which reports to the Union Home Ministry, in preventing the entry of alleged miscreants from Bangladesh who she claims incited the violence.
Shah didn't stop there. He accused Banerjee of facilitating illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, claiming she had "opened the borders of Bengal" for Bangladeshis. He asserted that only the BJP could stop infiltration, criticizing the TMC government for not providing the BSF with the necessary land to effectively patrol the border. This is not the first time such accusations have been leveled. Banerjee has in the past accused the center of not taking responsibility for border security.
Banerjee has also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of trying to exploit Operation Sindoor – the Centre's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack – for political gains. Shah, on the other hand, has accused Banerjee of "insulting the mothers and sisters of this country" by criticising Operation Sindoor.
The political climate in West Bengal remains highly charged, with the BJP intensifying its efforts to challenge the TMC's dominance. Shah's recent statements indicate a clear strategy to frame Banerjee as a leader who prioritizes appeasement politics over national interests, hoping to sway public opinion against her and pave the way for a BJP victory in the 2026 elections. The accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deep political divide in the state and set the stage for a fierce battle in the upcoming assembly polls.
