West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, demanding his resignation following accusations of her government facilitating illegal infiltration. Banerjee questioned the Home Minister’s account of security, referencing terror attacks in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and Delhi.
Clash Over Infiltration Claims
The exchange began after Shah, in a press conference in Kolkata, accused the West Bengal government of “allowing infiltration as a policy to strengthen its vote bank.” He also stated the state government had not provided land needed for fencing along the Bangladesh border. Banerjee, speaking in Bankura district, countered by asking who was responsible for attacks in Kashmir and Delhi if infiltration was solely occurring in West Bengal. She stated, “The Home Minister must resign. If not, people will remove you from power.”
Banerjee further refuted claims of withholding land for central government projects, asserting that land had been provided but work on those allocated areas remained incomplete. She specifically cited the Tarakeshwar–Bishnupur railway line and land provided to the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) as evidence of her government’s cooperation.
Political Rhetoric and Assembly Polls
The Chief Minister also dismissed the Home Minister’s predictions of a two-thirds majority for the BJP in the next West Bengal Assembly polls, stating initial claims of exceeding 200 seats had been scaled back to a “special intensive revision,” or SIR. Banerjee reported that 58 to 60 people had died during the SIR process and announced plans to erect memorials in each district to honor those individuals.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee supported the Chief Minister’s position, stating Shah should take responsibility for any infiltration occurring through the international border. He also suggested Shah listen to the perspectives of his own party MPs, Jagannath Sarkar and Ananta Maharaj, regarding the issue of infiltration.
Shah also targeted Abhishek Banerjee, the Chief Minister’s nephew, alleging that the West Bengal government had fostered “syndicate and cut money” practices, benefiting only the “Bhaipo” [nephew].
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Mamata Banerjee’s strong response?
The response was prompted by accusations made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the West Bengal government was allowing illegal infiltration to strengthen its vote bank.
What specific projects did Mamata Banerjee cite as evidence of land allocation to central agencies?
She cited projects in Raniganj, Jamuria, Bankura, Bongaon–Petrapole, the Andal airport, and the Tarakeshwar–Bishnupur railway line.
What did Abhishek Banerjee say regarding responsibility for infiltration?
Abhishek Banerjee stated that Amit Shah should take responsibility for any infiltration occurring through the international border.
As this political dispute intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the central government will respond to Banerjee’s demand for Shah’s resignation, or if this exchange will further escalate tensions leading up to the next Assembly polls.
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