Mamata Banerjee Targets Amit Shah, Sparks BJP’s ‘Threat to India’ Charge

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ignited a fresh political clash ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections by likening BJP leaders to Mahabharata’s Duryodhana and Dushasana. Her remarks came in response to sharp criticism from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“A Dushasana has come to Bengal. Whenever elections approach, Dushasana and Duryodhana appear. This Dushasana, a disciple of Shakuni, has come to collect information. Today they claim Mamata Banerjee didn’t provide land. If I hadn’t, what would have happened? Who gave land in Petrapole? Who gave land in Andal?” Banerjee asked.

A day later, BJP MP Sambit Patra accused Banerjee of issuing threats not just to Shah but to the nation itself, escalating the war of words between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress.

At a press conference, Patra referred to Banerjee’s comments during Shah’s recent Bengal visit amid debates over alleged illegal immigration and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He claimed Banerjee implied Shah was allowed to leave his hotel only because her government permitted it.

“She is not threatening Amit Shah. She is threatening India,” Patra said, asserting that the BJP would secure a two‑thirds majority in the next state elections.

Patra further alleged that over 300 BJP workers had been killed in West Bengal, accusing the TMC of shielding those responsible. He also charged Banerjee with protecting “illegal infiltrators” and resisting efforts to remove their names from voter lists.

Echoing Shah’s criticism, Patra said the state government was refusing to provide land for border fencing and was unsettled by the ongoing voter list revision.

Earlier, Shah had accused the Banerjee government of fostering “fear and corruption” over the past 14 years, claiming development had stalled due to corruption and syndicate operations, and reiterating that land for border fencing had been denied.