Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress, on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah while campaigning in the Chanchal and Harishchandrapur Assembly segments of Malda district.
Addressing party workers, supporters and local residents after rallies and roadshows, Banerjee criticised Centre’s silence over reported threats by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif against Kolkata in April 2026. “Despite such provocative statements, the Prime Minister has remained silent. There has been no response or protest. Others, including the Home Minister, are also maintaining silence,” he said.
On national security, Banerjee asserted that if the INDI alliance comes to power at the Centre, it would take decisive steps. He also questioned why the Central government has not acted to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, adding that the TMC would extend full support to any such initiative.
Two days back Pakistan minister Khwaja Asif threatened to attack Kolkata. PM Modi is silent, HM Amit Shah is silent and so is defence minister.
He added: “I have written Khwaja Asif’s name in a piece of paper. The day Mamata Banerjee and INDIA bloc-led govt will come to power at Centre, we will go to his house and teach him a lesson – Ghar me ghus ke marenge. He is sitting in Pakistan and threatening to attack Kolkata while Modi is busy campaigning in Cooch Behar and saying “remove TMC.”
He further criticised the Centre’s position on global conflicts, including tensions involving Iran, questioning India’s role in the evolving international scenario.
Speaking in the minority-dominated constituencies, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India and the BJP over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He urged people not to panic, alleging that “outsiders” were attempting to curtail the fundamental rights of residents through the exercise and that their “exit is imminent.”
Banerjee said he has been working round-the-clock to ensure that applications submitted by affected voters are forwarded to tribunals. “Those whose names have been arbitrarily deleted, especially in Malda and Murshidabad, will get justice,” he said.
Calling for a clean sweep in Malda’s 12 Assembly segments, he claimed such a result would help the Trinamul Congress cross 250 seats in the state, while pushing the BJP below 50.
“Your voting rights cannot be taken away. On 4 May, it will be proven. It will be a celebration,” he added, referring to the electoral process.
Banerjee alleged that around 1.8 lakh names in Chanchal and Harishchandrapur in Makda were under adjudication and held the Election Commission of India and its officials responsible, calling for a “befitting reply” through democratic means.
On alleged outsider interference, he urged vigilance after 21 April, asking supporters to ensure that people from other states do not influence the electoral process. He accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate votes through such means.
Highlighting concerns over voter deletions, Banerjee said, “After Independence in 1947, people are now being forced to stand in line to prove their citizenship. Remember, this land belongs to you for generations, while governments are temporary.” He added, “Is this country anyone’s personal property?”
Reassuring affected individuals, Banerjee said the TMC would continue to stand by them. He cited the case of an Indian citizen, Sonali Khatun, who was allegedly deported to Bangladesh while pregnant and later brought back with the party’s intervention.
Abhishek Banerjee on Monday first campaigned in the Jalangi and Domkal Assembly constituencies in Murshidabad, and later proceeded to Malda. From there, he travelled to Siliguri, where he addressed an election rally in support of Gautam Deb.
Suicide allegation sparks tension
Meanwhile, a case in Sahapur in Malda has triggered concern. A man identified as Kabil Sheikh allegedly died by suicide after his name was excluded from the SIR list, leading to tension in the area.
His brother, Merajul Haque, told reporters that the names of four family members were under adjudication but were omitted from the supplementary list published on Sunday. “My brother had been under mental stress for days over the issue. After learning last night that his name was not included, he went missing. Later, his body was found hanging from an electric pole in a paddy field about 500 metres from our house,” he alleged, holding the SIR process responsible.