Mamata Banerjee Issues Stern Warning to PM Modi Over Alleged Harassment
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a fiery statement on Wednesday, directly addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a stark warning. She cautioned the Prime Minister against causing her harm, asserting that such actions would transform her into a "dangerous" force. The Trinamool Congress supremo made these remarks while highlighting what she described as the ongoing harassment faced by Bengali-speaking populations in several states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Allegations of Linguistic Discrimination in BJP-Ruled States
Banerjee vehemently contested claims that the central government supports the Bengali language, labeling them as falsehoods. She pointed to specific instances in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where she alleged that individuals are being targeted and mistreated simply for conversing in Bangla. "One person came and said the government supports the Bangla language, but that's not true. Even Bengali people are being hurt for speaking Bangla in other states," she declared during her address.
Criticism of Electoral Roll Revision Process
The Chief Minister also launched a scathing critique of the current Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which is preparing for assembly elections in the coming months. She accused the process of causing unnecessary suffering to citizens and directly blamed Prime Minister Modi for this situation. "In the name of SIR, you are making people suffer. Shame on you. Election Commission, this is not your work," Banerjee remarked, expressing her frustration with the administrative procedures.
Earlier Confrontation with Election Commission of India
Earlier this week, Mamata Banerjee had already initiated a sharp confrontation with the Election Commission of India. Through a post on social media platform X, she accused the ECI of "snatching away" voting rights while paradoxically celebrating National Voters' Day on January 25. She described the Commission's actions as a "tragic farce" and alleged that it was functioning as "His Master's Voice," implying undue influence from the ruling establishment.
In her detailed post, Banerjee expressed being "deeply distressed and disturbed" by the conduct of the election body. She claimed that instead of adhering to Supreme Court directives and safeguarding democratic voting rights, the ECI was inventing new pretexts under the guise of "logical discrepancies" to harass citizens and deny them their constitutional electoral privileges.
Political Context and Upcoming Elections
West Bengal is scheduled to hold its assembly elections during April and May this year. Mamata Banerjee, who has been at the helm of the Trinamool Congress government since 2011, will be seeking a fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister. Her recent statements reflect the intensifying political atmosphere in the state as electoral preparations gain momentum. These developments underscore the growing tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the central BJP-led government, with linguistic identity and electoral integrity emerging as key battleground issues.
The Chief Minister's combative stance signals her readiness for a vigorous campaign, where she positions herself as a defender of Bengali cultural identity against perceived central overreach. Her warnings to the Prime Minister and criticisms of electoral processes highlight the deepening political divisions as West Bengal approaches another crucial electoral contest.
