Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday targeted by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who questioned his silence over a reported statement from Pakistan and called for his resignation.
Addressing election rallies in Nadia and Purba Bardhaman districts, Mamata said, “You (PM) target Bengal during election rallies; but when Pakistan talks of attacking Bengal, you do not utter a word. You should resign.”
Referring to Modi’s recent rally in Cooch Behar, she asked, “Why did the prime minister not raise the issue during his rally in Bengal? When Pakistan's defence minister says they will attack Kolkata, why didn't the prime minister say that 'we will take strong action'?”
Her remarks followed comments by Khawaja Asif, who said, “If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time, then God-willingly, we will take it to Kolkata.”
“Just like we do not accept any threat to the country, we will also not take the threat to Kolkata lying down,” Mamata said.
She also alleged that the BJP had a “tacit understanding” with the Congress and M. K. Stalin. “You (BJP) must be having some tacit understanding with the Congress and Stalin,” she said.
The Bengal chief minister linked the allegation to the transfer of officers from West Bengal, claiming that several IAS and IPS officers were sent to Tamil Nadu as poll observers after the announcement of Assembly elections.
She said around 500 officers were transferred from Bengal, compared to a few in other poll-bound states. “They (BJP) are placing their own officers in prominent positions in West Bengal to ensure their free movement,” she said.
She said she would reach out to other parties after the Assembly elections. “I will tour the country to stitch together opposition unity,” Mamata said.
Renewing her attack on the Centre, she said, “You (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) should resign, the home minister, the whole government should resign.”
“Keep in mind that if you don't, people will make you do so,” she added.
On electoral rolls, Mamata alleged that the voter list used in the 2024 elections had been discarded ahead of the Assembly polls.
Referring to the SIR exercise, she said, “Due to the SIR exercise, 250 people died in Bengal, and you (BJP) must take responsibility for that. I don't blame the Election Commission, they are only parrots like the CBI and the ED.”
She reiterated her stand on NRC. “We will scuttle any move to push out people from Bengal through NRC.” At another rally, she criticised the BJP’s promise of ₹3,000 for women. “You will instead give bulldozer,” she said.
Calling the election a “dharmayudh”, Mamata said, “Your (BJP) dharma is of dividing people, but my dharma is of unity, yours is of taking away voting rights while mine is to restore those.”