Mamata Banerjee Targets Centre, BJP Over Malda Violence, Urges Protection of Voters’ Rights

Kolkata, April 2026 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the recent violence in Mothabari in Malda district and the alleged harassment of local residents during the investigation.

Addressing an election rally in Manikchak, Banerjee claimed that those responsible for the violence had already fled, while innocent locals were being targeted in the name of inquiry. She alleged that nearly 50 people had been picked up despite having no involvement in the incidents, and warned against what she described as the misuse of central agencies.

Referring to the siege of judicial officers during the unrest, the Chief Minister blamed “communal forces” for orchestrating the situation. She specifically mentioned the involvement of two parties, alleging that they surrounded judicial officials and later escaped, leaving ordinary citizens to face the consequences. She urged people not to directly approach judicial officers regarding cases currently under adjudication following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Instead, Banerjee advised affected individuals to seek legal remedies through appropriate tribunals, particularly in cases where names had been removed from voter lists. During the rally, she asked attendees to raise their hands if they had experienced such deletions, highlighting what she described as a widespread issue. She also directed local TMC leaders to prioritize assisting these individuals over organizing political events, ensuring they receive proper support in filing applications for reinstatement.

In a direct political attack, Banerjee accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to influence the state’s administrative machinery ahead of elections through transfers and other interventions. She challenged him to visit Malda and personally interact with residents who had allegedly been affected by voter list revisions.

Calling for calm, the Chief Minister urged people not to fall into what she termed as “provocation tactics” by the BJP. She warned that attempts could be made to incite violence and falsely implicate innocent individuals. At the same time, she instructed party workers to remain alert, particularly in safeguarding electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) systems during the electoral process.

The controversy stems from violent incidents in the Mothabari area, where protests escalated dramatically. According to reports, seven judicial officers were held hostage inside a Block Development Office, while another officer was confined in a vehicle for nearly nine hours. The situation saw widespread unrest, including road blockades, damage to vehicles, and attacks on police personnel.

So far, the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 35 individuals in connection with the violence. Following directions from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission has transferred the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), further intensifying the political debate surrounding the issue.

Later, addressing another rally in Gazole, Banerjee turned her focus to the Waqf Amendment Act and her government’s role in its implementation. She accused certain groups of spreading misinformation about the legislation and asserted that her party had actively resisted attempts by the BJP to gain control over Waqf properties.

She recalled that after the Act was passed in Parliament in April 2025, the West Bengal government implemented it in November the same year. She added that officials were instructed to upload data on more than 82,000 Waqf properties in the state to the UMEED portal by December 5, 2025.

Banerjee emphasized that the primary objective of her government and party is to safeguard the rights and security of the people, rather than engage in unnecessary political confrontation. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring that governance remains focused on public welfare, even amid rising political tensions in the state.