If Mamata, Vineet Goyal asked to resign during RG Kar; Why not Modi, Shah during Pahalgam?: Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead. Referring to earlier demands for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal in the RG Kar Hospital incident, Banerjee asked, “Why are Modi and Shah not being asked to resign now?”

Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the ‘Sebashray’ public welfare programme in Diamond Harbour, Banerjee said, “Those who called themselves the country’s chowkidar are silent today. Four terrorists entered India and disappeared—how? Who is responsible for the loss of 26 lives? Will we remain silent like Pulwama again?” He further stated, “When we raise questions, we are called traitors. But those silent today—are they nationalists?”

Banerjee highlighted that under his leadership, 76,000 people in his constituency received old-age pensions. He claimed that for this initiative, he was served two income tax notices. “They don’t want Bengal’s poor to benefit. They want the money to go to Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh,” he said. He announced that letters will be sent to all beneficiaries before Durga Puja detailing how the pension scheme was allegedly obstructed.

He added that all development work done through his MP fund from 2014 to 2025 has been documented in a book titled Nishabdo Biplab. He said that under the Diamond Harbour model, welfare work worth ₹1.5 crore is being done daily. He presented a 700-page report and challenged other MPs to show similar records. “If BJP mocks my model, I challenge them—bring your report, I’ll bring mine. Let’s debate before the people,” he said.

Banerjee also criticised BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar for their remarks regarding the Jagannath temple. He alleged that they insulted the deity. “This is their culture?” he asked. Referring to Sukanta Majumdar, he said, “He came here for politics, but local women responded. He then used offensive language. He sends three letters to Delhi but never writes one for Bengal.” Banerjee reiterated that investigative agencies like CBI, ED, and IT are being used to target him. “I am not afraid. I am the son of Bengal. I will listen to the people, not Delhi,” he said.