The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has strongly condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks and accusations against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, labeling them as "Sindoor politics." This sharp rebuke comes in response to Shah's address to BJP workers in Kolkata, where he criticized Banerjee for "appeasement" policies, particularly her alleged opposition to "Operation Sindoor," and accused her of compromising national security for political gain.

Shah, during his two-day visit to Kolkata, claimed that Banerjee opposed "Operation Sindoor" to appease the Muslim vote bank, thereby "insulting the mothers and sisters of this country." He urged the women of Bengal to "explain the value of sindoor" to those opposing the operation in the upcoming elections. He also alleged that the TMC government was complicit in the Murshidabad riots, accusing them of being "state-sponsored." Shah confidently asserted that the BJP would form the government in 2026 and that Banerjee's time as Chief Minister was over.

The TMC has retaliated fiercely, accusing Shah of playing divisive politics and using inflammatory language against their leader. TMC leaders have demanded Shah's resignation, citing alleged failures in security, particularly in light of the Pahalgam incident in Jammu and Kashmir, where several people were killed in a terrorist attack. They argue that Shah should take responsibility for these failures instead of engaging in political rhetoric.

Several TMC leaders have voiced their outrage. State Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya questioned Shah's handling of the Pahalgam incident, asking if any terrorists had been apprehended. TMC MP Sagarika Ghose accused Shah of acting like a "BJP worker" and using "cheap language" against Chief Minister Banerjee. She further alleged that "divisiveness is his politics."

TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar also attacked Shah, stating that he is "dreaming that BJP will come to power in Bengal in 2026." She further added a symbolic warning, saying, "They have come to sell sindoor... Sindoor is the pride of married woman in India, be careful your hands will burn."

The TMC also pointed out the irony of Shah's anti-corruption stance, given the presence of Suvendu Adhikari in the BJP, suggesting that the BJP is a "washing machine" for tainted politicians.

The controversy surrounding "Operation Sindoor" stems from accusations that Banerjee and the TMC are undermining national security for the sake of appeasing minority voters. Shah claimed that Banerjee's opposition to the operation, which he described as a necessary action against terrorists, demonstrates her disregard for the emotions of women and national security concerns. The TMC has refuted these claims, asserting that they fully support the armed forces and the government in the fight against terrorism. They accuse Shah and the BJP of exploiting military actions for political mileage.

The political atmosphere in West Bengal is highly charged, with the BJP aggressively campaigning to unseat the TMC in the 2026 Assembly elections. Shah's visit and his strong statements underscore the importance the BJP places on West Bengal. The TMC, however, remains defiant, accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation and engaging in divisive tactics to polarize the electorate. The coming months are likely to witness further escalation in the political battle between these two parties.