Mamata threatens legal action against Amit Shah over 'violence' remarks, says “Home Minister cannot say this”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP during a rally at Uttarpara on Saturday, delivering a series of strong political remarks ahead of the second phase of polling. Addressing the gathering at Jorapukur ground, she said, “If a Bengali speaks in Bengali, they are called Bangladeshi. What identity do you have, brother? Sometimes I think, thank God I was born here. Otherwise, even I would have been called an infiltrator.” She also took a swipe at recent political optics, saying, “A few days ago, someone ate jhalmuri and said, ‘I ate jhalmuri, Trinamool felt the heat.’ Why would we feel the heat? Jhalmuri is homemade. You went to a shop where cameras had already been set up. If it were spontaneous, cameras wouldn’t already be there. And now you say we felt the heat! We didn’t. You will feel the heat during counting. Then you will burn and puff up like a luchi.”

She questioned the BJP’s public mobilisation, alleging that crowds were being brought in artificially. “I challenge this—they have no people. People were brought in by trains and buses. Even in Bhabanipur, buses had entered yesterday. We treated them well with sweets. Told them we’ll feed them again. Whatever they want, we will give them.” Criticising remarks made by Union leaders, she said, “We respect the chair. But how can you say such things? Travel more—you will only increase our votes. But how can you say people will be hanged or straightened out? You are talking about violence! I know no action will be taken against them. But I am telling the lawyers—file a case. A Home Minister cannot say such things. Neither can I. Law is equal for all. Trinamool is in every household—will you beat up so many people?”

Banerjee also highlighted development and employment claims, stating, “I am telling the pleasure-seeking leaders—did you give 2 crore jobs a year? We have given jobs. Unemployment has increased by 40% in the country, but in Bengal it has decreased by 40%.” She added, “You don’t need to go far—just travel one day from Howrah to Bardhaman on the national highway. You will see industry everywhere. We have turned 40 acres of the Hindmotor factory land into a Metro Coach factory. Many people will get jobs there in the future. Many more industries will come. Six industrial corridors are being built. Investments worth lakhs of crores are coming.”

Sharpening her attack further, she criticised national leadership and policy decisions. “What have they done for the country? They have only looted. They have ruined the country. A stadium in their own name while still alive! They demolished the Parliament where we worked. While building the Kashi Vishwanath temple, they demolished several temples. In the name of religion, they are causing destruction. They are not just corrupt, they are worse. Three bullets were fired to kill Gandhiji—we want answers for those three bullets.” On welfare schemes, she said, “You are doing this only in one state. Why not implement it across the country? It’s not even in the budget. Only after coming here you remembered to give benefits. They need a bit of clarity in their thinking.”

She also raised allegations regarding election practices and security agencies. “Listen, the Annapurna forms distributed—after elections they are lying scattered in Bankura’s Junglemahal. We don’t do such things. We do what we promise. The Prime Minister doesn’t take steps to reduce petrol prices. Once elections are over, prices will go up again… They told migrant workers to swear on the Gita and Quran that they would vote for BJP. They promised to pay train fares, but after returning home, they were handed slips of ₹2000.” She added, “Today, it is said 50 helicopters are flying. We struggle to arrange three. They have 50 helicopters, 19 Chief Ministers, all central ministers, central forces, armoured vehicles, ED-CBI—everyone has come. Today my dear brother ‘Motabhai’ even held a meeting with the CRPF officer who was sent to rig votes in Nandigram. They said slow down voting so people cannot vote. I understand all this.” During the rally, she also addressed party workers and police, saying, “Police brothers, you don’t need to be so active… one of our workers was beaten,” and added that four people died due to heat on polling day. She urged voters in the region to support party candidates, including singer Indranil Sen, and praised leaders like Kalyan Banerjee, calling him a “fighter” in Parliament, as her campaign continued across multiple locations including Bhabanipur, North Dumdum, and Behala.