Bethuadahari, April 6: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “cowardice” and branding him a “Bengal hater” for remaining silent over a provocative remark by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while addressing an election rally in Nakashipara.
Referring directly to the statement made by Asif, Banerjee told the gathering that the Prime Minister’s silence was unacceptable at a time as his threat was targeting Kolkata, an integral part of the country.
Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday told reporters that Islamabad would retaliate with a strike on Kolkata in the event of any “future misadventure” by India, a remark that has triggered sharp political reactions in India.
Launching a pointed attack, Banerjee said, “A Pakistani minister is threatening to attack Kolkata. But our Prime Minister is silent. Why? Is Bengal not part of India? If you can speak so loudly in Cooch Behar threatening the political rivals, why are you quiet now?” She went on to say, “This silence shows cowardice. A Prime Minister who cannot respond to such threats has no moral right to remain in office.”
Addressing an election rally in Nakashipara on Monday, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee sharpened her attack over Khawaja’s threat. Taking direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, “How can a Pakistani minister speak of targeting Kolkata? Why did Modi not step forward yesterday and announce action? Why this silence? Why has no response been taken against Pakistan? The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister must answer.” She added, “On matters of national security, we stand united with the Centre as Indians. But any threat to Kolkata is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate such remarks.”
Pressing further, Banerjee demanded accountability from the Union government. “The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister must answer to the people of this country. On issues of national security, we always stand firmly with the Centre as Indians. But any talk of attacking Kolkata is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate it,” she asserted, framing the issue as both a matter of national integrity and regional pride.
Drawing a contrast with Modi’s speech in north Bengal a day earlier, Banerjee alleged that the Prime Minister deliberately avoided reacting because the threat was directed at Bengal. “Yesterday in Cooch Behar he spoke big things, made tall claims. But when Bengal is threatened, he has no words. This proves he does not care for Bengal or Bengalis,” she said, accusing Modi of harbouring a discriminatory political attitude.
Banerjee also linked the issue to national security and federal responsibility, asserting that the Centre cannot remain mute when any Indian city is threatened. “This is not politics, this is about the safety and dignity of the people of Bengal. The Prime Minister must answer,” she said, even suggesting that such silence warrants accountability at the highest level.
The Chief Minister used the rally to broaden her attack, accusing the BJP-led Centre of repeatedly neglecting Bengal, withholding funds, and attempting to weaken the state politically ahead of the ongoing Assembly elections. She alleged that instead of addressing pressing concerns like unemployment, price rise, and rural distress, the BJP was indulging in rhetoric and divisive politics.
Her remarks come amid heightened campaign intensity ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, where issues of identity, governance, and Centre-state relations have taken centre stage. Banerjee has increasingly positioned herself as a defender of Bengal’s interests, while accusing the BJP of targeting the state politically.
The BJP, however, has dismissed such allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that national security is handled uniformly and that attempts are being made to politicise sensitive international issues for electoral gain.