The political tension between Assam and West Bengal escalated after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a controversial statement regarding the potential consequences of unrest in her state. Banerjee stated that if Bengal burns, neighboring states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, and even Delhi would be affected. This comment sparked outrage from Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who accused Banerjee of threatening Assam and using divisive language.
Sarma, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), questioned Banerjee’s audacity in threatening Assam, stating, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure.” He further criticized her for using divisive language, deeming it inappropriate for a leader of her stature.
The BJP in West Bengal also joined the chorus of condemnation, with the state party president Sukanta Mujumdar writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing Banerjee of making anti-national remarks. Majumdar further criticized Banerjee’s statement, stating that it did not reflect the voice of a constitutional office holder but rather that of an anti-national individual. He demanded her immediate resignation, claiming she no longer deserved her position.
Adding to the outrage, Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika asserted that Banerjee could neither bully nor threaten Assam. He emphasized that Banerjee’s inability to control law and order in her own state did not give her the right to threaten other states. Hazarika assured the people of Assam that such threats would not be tolerated, especially while the BJP government was in power and Himanta Biswa Sarma served as Chief Minister.
Earlier that day, Banerjee, while addressing the issue of rape incidents in West Bengal, had stated that her government had zero tolerance for such crimes. She announced that an amendment to the existing laws would be passed in the state assembly the following week to ensure capital punishment for convicted rapists. She further stated that the bill would be sent to the Governor for approval and that if he refused to pass it, they would hold a protest outside the Raj Bhavan.
The ongoing controversy highlights the growing political tensions between the ruling BJP and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, particularly in the aftermath of the recent rape-murder incident of a doctor in Kolkata. The incident has sparked protests and demands for stricter action against perpetrators of such crimes.
