Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing the SIR process “without any reason” and asserting that it would distinguish between Indian citizens and illegal entrants.
The remarks come amid an intensifying political face-off over citizenship and voter-related processes, even as tensions remain high following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to pass in the Lok Sabha and the sharp exchanges it triggered between the ruling side and the Opposition.
Sarma accuses Mamata Banerjee over SIR opposition
Addressing reporters in Kalimpong, Sarma said, “Mamata Banerjee is opposing SIR without any reason. Names of Indian people will be added to SIR, and names of Bangladeshi Muslims will be removed…”
His comments are likely to further sharpen the political divide between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with the issue expected to play out in upcoming electoral contests and parliamentary debates.
‘Anger among women’: Assam CM targets Rahul Gandhi, Congress
Sarma also took aim at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders over the developments in Parliament around the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
“The way Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders insulted women yesterday, there is anger among women over this, and because of this, Congress will be finished…” he said.
#WATCH | Kalimpong, West Bengal: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “Mamata Banerjee is opposing SIR without any reason. Names of Indian people will be added to SIR, and names of Bangladeshi Muslims will be removed…”
On the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill not… pic.twitter.com/MlCdqquYtA
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2026
The Assam Chief Minister’s remarks come at a time when the debate around women’s representation and political conduct has taken centre stage, with both sides accusing each other of disrespecting women during the proceedings.