In a charged political showdown in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and Malda district president Abdur Rahim Boxi unleashed a blistering attack, accusing the BJP of hatching a conspiracy to deploy the army, BSF, and CISF to topple Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and seize the state secretariat at Nabanna. Speaking at a protest rally in Ratua Block 1 against the alleged harassment of Bengalis in other states, Boxi likened Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar to "Mir Jafars" – treacherous figures reminiscent of the infamous betrayer from the Battle of Plassey – claiming they are plotting to incite unrest among Bengalis.
The remarks, delivered amid a procession and public meeting, come just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an army commanders' conference at Fort William in Kolkata, fueling TMC's narrative of a coordinated central assault on the state government. Boxi's outburst has ignited a fresh round of verbal fireworks between the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, highlighting the escalating tensions ahead of future elections.The protest in Malatipur, organized by TMC's local unit, began with a march through rain-slicked streets, drawing hundreds of supporters waving party flags and chanting against perceived anti-Bengali sentiments elsewhere in India. Boxi, a seasoned politician who rose from Left affiliations to TMC leadership since 2019, took the stage to rally the crowd, warning that the BJP's ambitions extend to imposing President's Rule to oust Mamata Banerjee. "They think they can drag down the administration using central forces and capture the glorious Nabanna," he thundered, tying the event to the simultaneous military conclave in Kolkata where Modi addressed jawans before heading to Bihar.
The timing amplified TMC's allegations, portraying the conference as a backdrop to political maneuvering rather than routine defense matters.Boxi's rhetoric peaked when he drew the historical parallel, declaring, "We saw the Mir Jafar of Plassey; today we see another in West Bengal, sitting in the lap of luxury in Tamalka's Kanthi as the Leader of Opposition. And there's yet another Mir Jafar – Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar. These two are scheming to unsettle Bengalis." The reference to Adhikari's Tamluk constituency and Majumdar's role as BJP state president struck a raw nerve, evoking colonial-era betrayal to question their loyalty to Bengal's interests. Supporters erupted in applause, viewing the speech as a bold defense of regional pride, while critics decried it as inflammatory historical revisionism.
The BJP wasted no time in hitting back, with Malda district general secretary Amlan Bhaduri dismissing Boxi as "the most uneducated person in politics." In a sharp retort, Bhaduri clarified that the Prime Minister's meeting with the Home Minister and army chiefs was purely about national defense, unrelated to state politics. "This man hasn't studied properly and jumps to such baseless conclusions," he fumed, accusing Boxi of ignorance and desperation. The exchange underscores the deep-seated rivalry between TMC and BJP in Malda, a border district where communal and infiltration issues often fuel campaigns. Adhikari and Majumdar, frequent targets of TMC barbs, have previously countered by alleging TMC's ties to anti-national elements, but this latest salvo has BJP leaders calling for restraint to avoid escalating street-level confrontations.
Boxi's history of provocative statements adds context to the drama; known for macabre and bold comments during his tenure, the MLA has shaped TMC's aggressive grassroots strategy in northern Bengal. His switch from the RSP in 2011 to TMC amid shifting alliances mirrors the fluid politics of the region, where loyalties often pivot with electoral winds. The protest itself was part of TMC's broader outreach against what it calls a "Bengali-baiting" narrative from the center, especially after recent clashes over issues like the Waqf Amendment Act and voter list manipulations. As the rally dispersed, local TMC workers distributed pamphlets reinforcing the anti-BJP message, signaling more such events to mobilize the base.This episode reflects the high-octane prelude to West Bengal's political battles, where historical analogies like Mir Jafar serve as potent weapons in the war of words. While TMC hails Boxi as a defender of Bengali honor, the BJP sees it as a sign of ruling party's insecurity. With Modi's visit fresh in memory and monsoon politics heating up, both sides are bracing for prolonged skirmishes. For now, the streets of Malda echo with the clash of ideologies, reminding everyone that in Bengal's arena, every speech is a battle cry.