Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 20, 2025, Kolkata : The West Bengal Assembly witnessed a heated confrontation between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition as both leaders launched direct attacks on each other, plunging the session into chaos.
The dispute began when Mamata Banerjee responded to accusations made by the opposition, questioning her alleged ties with terrorists. “After doing so much work, I have to hear that I have links with the terrorists of Jammu and Kashmir? Do I have links with the terrorists of Bangladesh? Without knowing it, I am being told that I am a terrorist,” Mamata said, expressing her frustration over the allegations.
Her comments sparked a strong reaction from Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs, who raised slogans in support of the Chief Minister. Mamata, in her defense, announced that she would be writing a letter to the Prime Minister to report the language used by the Leader of the Opposition. This move intensified the stir within the Assembly, adding fuel to the already tense atmosphere.
The Chief Minister further challenged the Leader of the Opposition, saying, “I will resign as Chief Minister if anyone can prove that I am a terrorist.” She also launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders, including Subhendu Adhikari, accusing them of exaggerating Hindutva ideals for political gain. “I am telling those who are mocking me about Hinduism, I am also the daughter of a Brahmin family,” she asserted, defending her Hindu identity.
Targeting the BJP once again, Mamata continued, “They call me Muslim League, but you take the help of the Muslim League to win elections. Should I expose that? You are doing so much slander in the name of religion, if one day they call for a movement, will you be able to handle it?”
The argument took a further turn when Mamata responded to recent incidents in Bengal regarding Saraswati Puja celebrations. While she claimed that Saraswati Puja was celebrated widely across the state in every home, school, club, and neighborhood, she acknowledged that two pujas had been held at Yogesh Chandra Chowdhury Day College and Yogesh Chandra Law College under court orders, a statement that raised questions and provoked further debate.
As the war of words escalated, the Assembly session was marked by heightened tensions and an apparent breakdown in communication between the ruling party and opposition. The episode reflects the deepening political divide in West Bengal as Mamata Banerjee continues to face growing criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
