Kolkata, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaged in a heated exchange on Sunday, with Modi accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of obstructing the work of central agencies investigating corruption cases in the state. The exchange was prompted by an incident where a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team was violently attacked by a mob while conducting a midnight operation in Naruabila village in Bhupatinagar, East Midnapore, related to a blast case that resulted in three fatalities in 2022.
This incident mirrored a previous attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, during a raid at the residence of suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh for his alleged involvement in a ration distribution scam. At an election rally in Jalpaiguri, Modi accused the TMC of protecting corrupt leaders within their ranks by attacking central agencies and undermining the legal system and the Constitution. He also alleged that the TMC, Left, and Congress have formed an alliance to shield corrupt leaders.
In response, Banerjee insinuated that the NIA’s investigations had political motivations, suggesting that communal tensions could escalate during the upcoming Ram Navami festival. She sarcastically remarked that the NIA would be tasked with probing incidents like firecracker bursting during the festival, casting doubt on the agency’s impartiality. Banerjee also called on the central government to release a white paper detailing investigations into corruption in Bengal and criticized delays in responding to requests for assistance following a natural disaster.
The clash between Modi and Banerjee highlighted the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal, with the BJP accusing Banerjee of inciting conflict ahead of religious festivals for political gain. The BJP’s Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, criticized Banerjee for alleged attempts to stoke communal discord and questioned her past statements regarding minority community participation in religious processions. The exchange between government officials underscores the highly polarized political landscape in Bengal, as parties vie for power and influence while grappling with corruption scandals and public welfare challenges.