Banerjee Demands Resignations Amid Pakistan’s Nuclear Threat to Kolkata
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for their immediate resignation after Pakistan’s Defense Minister threatened that he would hit Kolkata.
Addressing a campaign meeting in Nadia district, the Trinamool Congress Chairperson wondered why the PM was silent about the threat from outside when he visited West Bengal.
The controversy began when Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made statements to the media in Sialkot on Saturday, threatening Pakistan’s response to any “future misadventure” or “false flag operation” by India. The minister said explicitly:
“If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time, then God-willingly, we will take it to Kolkata.”
The warning was made in light of escalating tensions within the region after the anniversary of the attack on April 2025 in Pahalgam, resulting in an armed conflict known as “Operation Sindoor” last May.
Sharp Retort from Banerjee:
Speaking before a huge rally, Banerjee berated the BJP party leaders for making the state of Bengal their whipping boy when there is a security issue at hand.
- For Lack of Protection: “You [PM Modi] attack Bengal at every rally, but when Pakistan threatens to hit us in Kolkata, you do not even utter one word. How could you not mention that we will take action?” she questioned.
- Resign If You Can’t Protect Us: “Since you cannot protect the honor of our country and of our cities, you might just as well resign,” she asserted.
- Sovereignty of the State: The state’s chief minister stated that, while her administration supports India in protecting itself from external attacks, she will not lie back if her capital city faces any danger.
This exchange is taking place in the context of a highly competitive political climate in India. In an attempt to shift the BJP’s “nationalist” discourse, Mamta Banerjee challenges the “iron fist” approach taken by the Union Government when faced with attacks on its territory.
While the BJP has often criticized Banerjee’s “soft” approach toward border disputes, the most recent twist in the story finds the TMC chief reversing the roles, alleging that the Prime Minister’s “strategic silence” prevents him from admitting that his government is under attack in a state controlled by opposition parties.
The government has not issued an official response to the particular mention of Kolkata made by Khawaja Asif, although Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has reiterated that a Pakistani “misadventure” will be met with an “unprecedented” response.