BJP to counter TMC’s ‘Bengali oppression’ push with focus on corruption, women’s safety in Bengal

Trinamool Congress is set to raise the issues of ‘Bengali oppression’ and Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Parliament during the remaining days of the Monsoon Session. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called a virtual meeting on Monday with all party MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to finalise the party’s strategy on these issues. TMC leaders have alleged that central investigative actions are disproportionately targeting Bengali officials and leaders.

In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to raise topics of corruption, rising crimes against women, and communal tension in minority-dominated areas of West Bengal. BJP’s West Bengal unit president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya will lead a delegation of MPs from the state to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday. Bhattacharya confirmed the meeting and stated that current issues in West Bengal will be discussed. However, he did not disclose the detailed agenda.

A senior BJP leader from the state said that TMC MPs are raising Bengal-specific issues in Parliament, and the party intends to present data and arguments on issues concerning law and order, alleged financial irregularities, and safety of women in the state. The leader added that BJP MPs will urge the Union Home Minister to ensure that at least one Bengal BJP MP is allowed to speak every day during the remaining session.

According to BJP leaders, there have been instances when BJP MPs from Bengal were not included in the daily speakers' list, making it difficult to respond effectively to TMC’s allegations. The BJP team plans to highlight matters such as the Sandeshkhali incident, corruption-related investigations, and communal unrest in specific areas of the state.

TMC’s focus on regional identity and central agency actions and BJP’s emphasis on law and order, women’s safety, and governance will likely dominate West Bengal-related discussions in Parliament in the coming days. Both parties are holding internal meetings on Monday to finalise their strategies for the remainder of the session.