"Shocked, very sad": Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee responds PM Modi's comments at Alipurduar rally

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 29 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed shock and sadness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments criticising the TMC-led government's actions during the recent Murshidabad violence.
She criticised PM Modi for politicising national issues, particularly when the Opposition is actively representing the country--Operation Sindoor outreach to convey India's unified stance against terrorism and seek international support to hold Pakistan accountable.
Mamata Banerjee challenged the BJP to face elections immediately, stating that Bengal is ready to accept the challenge. She emphasised that time is a crucial factor and that the people of Bengal will respond accordingly.
CM Mamata Banerjee said, 'What Modi ji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear this, when the Opposition is representing the country at that time, in his presence, his minister said that they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them - if they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge.'
She highlighted the role of her representative, Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the team actively speaking out against terrorism. Mamata Banerjee criticized Modi for accusing the Bengal government, which is defending the country, while simultaneously being supported by the same government.
'But please remember, time is a factor. You must remember the timing. Our representative Abhishek Banerjee is also in the team. And he is speaking every day against terrorism. At that time, Mr Modi, not as the PM but as the BJP president, you are criticising the Government (in Bengal) which is giving you full support, defending the country like anything,' added the West Bengal CM.
Referring to the BJP as the 'Jumla Party', she claimed that the PM was spreading lies and was politicising Operation Sindoor for the party's benefit. She urged the BJP not to engage in politics of lies and misinformation, emphasising that such tactics do not serve the nation well.
'You are accusing the Government and you want to blame the Opposition at this time, at this hour, to politicise things just like the leader of the BJP Jumla Party. You are doing garbage of lies. They loot the country and scoot. It doesn't look nice to talk in this manner. Regarding Operation Sindoor, though I don't have any comments but please remember every woman has respect,' she further added.
Notably, PM Modi during a BJP rally at Alipurduar on Thursday claimed that they had snatched the rights of the poor.
PM Modi said, 'Today, when I have come to the land of 'Sindoor Khela', I will naturally discuss India's new resolve against terrorism. The terrorists dared to erase the Sindoor of our sisters. So our Army made them realise the power of the Sindoor... Pakistan has nothing positive to offer to the world. Ever since it came into existence, it has only nurtured terrorism... Terror and genocide are the biggest expertise of the Pakistan army. When a direct war is waged, their defeat is certain. This is the reason why the Pakistan army takes the help of terrorists... Pakistan should understand that 'teen baar ghar mein ghuskar maara hai tumhe'. This is the declaration of 140 crore Indians from the land of the Bengal Tiger- Operation Sindoor is not over yet.'
She further said that during Operation Sindoor briefing, Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi reiterated that India is a secular country, she also alleged that instead of relying on local support, the Prime Minister's team brought people from Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri to attend the meeting.
'But what did PM Modi say today? He wants to divide and rule. His policies are divisive. Why did he need to bring people from Assam for his event in Alipurduar? If he had faith in the people of Alipurduar, he would not have had to bring people from Assam. For a small meeting in Alipurduar, he didn't have to bring people from Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. This means that the people of North Bengal have shown that they don't have faith in the Prime Minister,' she added. (ANI)

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scroll.in

30 minutes ago

• Scroll.in

Bye-poll results: AAP leads in Punjab's Ludhiana West, Congress in Kerala's Nilambur

The counting of votes for assembly bye-polls across five constituencies in four states began on Monday. These bye-elections were held on June 19. In Kerala's Nilambur constituency, the Congress' Aryadan Shoukath was leading against the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s M Swaraj by 11,077 votes. The Aam Aadmi Party is leading in Punjab's Ludhiana West constituency and Gujarat's Visavadar seat. In Ludhiana West, the AAP's Sanjeev Arora is ahead of the Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 6,022 votes. In Visavadar, AAP candidate Gopal Italia was leading against the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kirit Patel by 17,554 votes. In West Bengal's Kaliganj seat, the Trinamool Congress' Alifa Ahmed was ahead of the BJP's Ashish Ghosh by 26,494 votes. In Gujarat's Kadi constituency, the BJP's Rajendrakumar Chavda was leading against the Congress' Rameshbhai Chavda by 38,624 votes. In Gujarat, the Visvadar seat fell vacant after sitting AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani joined the ruling BJP. The AAP's Gopal Italia, the BJP's Kirit Patel and the Congress' Nitin Ranpariya are contesting the elections from Visvadar. The Kadi bye-poll was necessitated after the death of BJP MLA Karshan Solanki. AAP's Jagdish Chavda, Congress's Ramesh Chavda and BJP's Rajendra Chavda are contesting the elections from Kadi. In Kerala, the Nilambur bye-poll was held after the resignation of Communist Party of India (Marxist)-backed Independent legislator PV Anvar. In West Bengal, the Kaliganj bye-poll was held after the death of Trinamool leader Nasiruddin Ahmed. In Punjab, the Ludhiana West's bye-election followed the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. The constituency saw a four-cornered contest involving Sanjeev Arora from the AAP, Bharat Bhushan Ashu from the Congress, Jiwn Gupta from the BJP and Parupkar Singh Ghumman from the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Business Standard

30 minutes ago

• Business Standard

Delhi fully prepared to host 2036 Olympic Games, says CM Rekha Gupta

India is prepared to host the 2036 Olympics, says Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, citing PM Modi's commitment to building top-tier sports infrastructure and pursuing an ambitious but achievable national goal Vrinda Goel New Delhi Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that the national capital and the country are fully prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games. She expressed hope that the international community would entrust India with the honour, expressing confidence that India could secure the honour of staging the event, reported PTI. CM Gupta made the remarks after jointly flagging off the Olympic Day Run 2025 with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event, part of the International Olympic Committee's global 'Let's Move' campaign, saw thousands of Delhi residents participating, transforming the capital into a lively celebration of sport, unity, and Olympic values. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha was also present at the event. CM Gupta backs Modi's 2036 Olympics bid Highlighting India's ambitions, CM Gupta said, 'Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country is steadily advancing in building world-class sports infrastructure and providing better facilities for athletes. Delhi, along with the rest of India, is fully ready to host the 2036 Olympic Games.' Mandaviya expresses commitment on social media Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya echoed the same sentiment on social media. In a post on X, he said he had participated in the Olympic Day Run with CM Rekha Gupta and IOA President PT Usha and highlighted the government's resolve to bring the Olympics to India. 'Every step we take is making this resolve stronger,' he wrote. India's official bid to host 2036 Olympic Games Prime Minister Narendra Modi had formally announced India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games during the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Session held in Mumbai in 2023. Following this, the Indian Olympic Association submitted an official letter of intent to the IOC, signalling the country's serious bid. Delhi govt proposes six Khelo India Centres In a related development, the Delhi government has proposed setting up six Khelo India Centres across the city. According to a report by The Economic Times, the proposal has been submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and is currently under review. If approved, the centres will offer aspiring athletes access to modern training facilities, expert coaching, and professional-grade equipment. The centres, aligned with the national Khelo India scheme, will be developed using existing infrastructure such as schools and community centres. They will focus on five disciplines: athletics, football, volleyball, hockey, and kabaddi.

Time of India

33 minutes ago

• Time of India

Shashi Tharoor Hails PM Modi as 'Prime Asset' After Operation Sindoor Diplomacy Wins Over 5 Nations

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a 'prime asset for India' on the global stage following his return from a five-nation outreach tour under Operation Sindoor. In a candid column for The Hindu, Tharoor praised Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage with the world and called for greater national backing. He emphasized India's strategic narrative of self-defence, which helped reverse early missteps like Colombia's condolence to Pakistan. Tharoor also recounted how even in Washington, US officials echoed India's concern over terror outfits like LeT and JeM, while a Pakistani delegation failed to change perceptions. Tharoor's endorsement signals a rare moment of unity, underscoring India's global strategy rooted in tech, trade, and tradition. Watch the video for the full political, diplomatic, and strategic impact.#shashitharoor #operationsindoor #narendramodi #pakistanterror #modipraised #columbiaretraction #lashkaretaiba #jaishmohammed #indianforeignpolicy #breakingnews #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews