Amit Shah Accuses Mamata Banerjee Of Opposing Operation Sindoor For 'Muslim Votebank'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing BJP workers in Kolkata on Sunday (1 June), accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of opposing Operation Sindoor to "appease" the Muslim votebank.

Shah alleged Banerjee’s stance was part of a broader pattern of appeasement, citing examples such as allowances to imams, deferment of Durga Puja immersions, and Ramadan leave for Muslim employees.

“Most importantly, you (Banerjee) are opposing Operation Sindoor to please the Muslim votebank. Tell me, should this appeasement be allowed to continue?” Shah asked, urging the crowd to resolve to "uproot the Mamata Banerjee government" in the 2026 state polls.

Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May, was India’s retaliatory strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April.

Shah claimed, “We went 100 km inside (Pakistan) and destroyed their (terrorists’) headquarters. Hundreds of terrorists have been killed.”

Shah also accused Banerjee of enabling infiltration from Bangladesh and said only a BJP government could halt it. “Mamata Banerjee has opened the borders of our country for Bangladeshis,” he alleged.

Responding, the Trinamool Congress denied opposing the operation and condemned Shah’s remarks.

“He has failed as a Home Minister and must resign,” said TMC MP Sagarika Ghose. State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya added, “We have not said anything against Operation Sindoor.”

Shah further criticised Banerjee’s opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act and blamed her for the “state-sponsored” Murshidabad violence in April. He said the state refused BSF deployment, alleging, “If the BSF had come, the Hindus would have been saved.”

Claiming the BJP is poised to win Bengal in 2026, Shah appealed, “With folded hands, I appeal to the people of Bengal to give Modi a chance.”

This escalation from the Union Home Minister comes just days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

Banerjee declared, “I challenge them... If they have the courage, go for elections tomorrow. We are ready and Bengal is ready... The people of Bengal are with us. Please remember, timing is a factor.”

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