West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s influence reached Delhi’s streets as her party’s MPs launched protests that ended in chaos and subsequent cries of injustice. BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal accused the TMC of a calculated move to portray themselves as oppressed.
The demonstrations centered on demands for Bengali signage and facilities in markets and public spaces. Armed with placards and megaphones, TMC lawmakers paralyzed traffic, prompting police to step in. Detentions followed, igniting a firestorm of allegations from the TMC camp.
‘On Mamata di’s green light, they protest; on facing consequences, they play the victim,’ Khandelwal quipped. He questioned the timing, coinciding with rising Bengali voter mobilization in Delhi. ‘This isn’t advocacy; it’s anarchy scripted from Kolkata.’
Inside reports suggest Banerjee personally coordinated via calls, urging a strong show of force. Post-clash, TMC MPs shared videos of minor injuries, amplifying narratives of state-sponsored violence. Opposition leaders rallied in support, but BJP counters with evidence of premeditated disruption.
Public reaction is mixed, with Bengali communities split between solidarity and embarrassment. Khandelwal called for introspection. ‘TMC should govern Bengal first before lecturing Delhi on rights.’
This episode underscores the high-stakes politics of regional identities in the capital. As legal probes begin, TMC’s strategy hangs in balance. Victory or backfire? Only time will tell, but Khandelwal’s critique has struck a chord.