Kolkata, August 29, 2024 — Political tensions in West Bengal escalated on Wednesday as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of fueling unrest in the state, following a 12-hour bandh that was marked by sporadic violence. In response, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on Banerjee, accusing her of spreading divisive politics across India.
Mamata Banerjee’s Accusations
Addressing a gathering on the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) student wing, Mamata Banerjee did not mince words as she blamed the BJP and PM Modi for the violence during the bandh, which was called in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Bengal. Banerjee claimed that the BJP was attempting to ignite communal tensions in Bengal, warning that such unrest could have repercussions across other states.
“PM Modi, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn,” Banerjee stated in a fiery speech.
Banerjee also took the opportunity to draw parallels between the current situation in Bengal and the student-led protests in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Some people think this agitation is similar to the protests in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us (Bengal). Our culture is also the same. However, Bangladesh is a different country,” she added.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Response
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit back at Banerjee’s remarks with a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter). “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t try to set India on fire with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language,” Sarma wrote.
Sarma’s response highlights the growing political rift between the TMC and BJP, with leaders from both parties engaging in increasingly personal attacks as tensions mount.
Bengal Bandh: A Day of Disruption
The 12-hour bandh called by the BJP in response to the trainee doctor’s death saw widespread disruption across West Bengal, with several instances of violence reported. The most severe clash occurred in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district, where BJP leaders alleged that TMC supporters fired shots at the car of a local BJP leader, Priyangu Pandey. While Pandey escaped unharmed, his driver and a party worker sustained injuries and were hospitalized.
Throughout the day, BJP leaders, including former MPs Roopa Ganguly and Locket Chatterjee, Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, and MLA Agnimitra Paul, were detained while attempting to enforce the bandh. In Kolkata, the shutdown had a mixed impact, with reduced public transport and many private vehicles staying off the roads. Although markets and shops largely remained open, schools and offices saw lower attendance.
In northern Bengal, BJP workers disrupted railway services by blocking tracks at several stations, leading to delays in suburban train services. Similar disruptions were reported in South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, and Murshidabad districts.
Political Fallout
The political fallout from the bandh and the ensuing violence continues to unfold, with both the TMC and BJP trading barbs and intensifying their rhetoric. As West Bengal gears up for upcoming elections, the state remains a flashpoint in the broader political battle between the two parties.
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