Trinamool MLA says Operation Sindoor was ‘politicised drama’, BJP seeks probe

A political row has erupted in West Bengal after Trinamoool Congress MLA Narendranath Chakraborty described ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a “pre-planned drama” and “a game in the name of war.” The MLA from Pandaveswar Assembly constituency in Paschim Bardhaman district said that those politicising ‘Operation Sindoor’ will face resistance and will end up in the dustbin.

“ It (Operation Sindoor) is a well-planned drama. A game in the name of war was going on. The entire thing is ‘fitting’ (setting/arrangement) with Pakistan,” the MLA is heard saying in a viral video.

Mr. Chakraborty also sought to know “why the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre on April 22 have not been arrested yet.”

The MLA was speaking in Paschim Bardhaman district at an event where Trinamool Congress leaders, including MP Kirti Azad, and party supporters were present. In the video, Mr. Chakraborty says that tourist spots in Kashmir are heavily guarded, so how was the terror attack possible?

The remarks evoked sharp reactions. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the Trinamool MLA’s statement demands scrutiny and he should be grilled.

“If an elected representative like Chakraborty has prior knowledge or insights into such a heinous act, it is imperative that the NIA take him into custody for questioning to uncover the source and credibility of his information,” the BJP leader pointed out.

TMC distances itself

The Trinamool Congress leadership distanced itself from the remarks. Senior leader Kunal Ghosh said that Mr. Chakraborty’s views do not reflect the party line on the issue.

BJP State president Sukanta Majumdar also criticised the Trinamool MLAs’ remark. He shared a video of the MLA making the remark on social media.

“This statement is not just objectionable — it is blatantly anti-national. Sadly, he is not the first. Several other TMC leaders, including the failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself, have made indecent and disgraceful remarks about Operation Sindoor,” Mr. Majumdar said.

Last week Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a public meeting in Kolkata, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of opposing Operation Sindoor to “appease the Muslim vote bank.”

The Trinamool Congress responded, saying that the Union Home Minister’s remarks were “factually incorrect and politically motivated.” Ms. Banerjee had expressed full support for India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that she stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” in the fight against terrorism.

Published - June 06, 2025 10:12 pm IST