A major political confrontation erupted on 30 December 2025 as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee traded serious allegations concerning national security and illegal immigration. The war of words has intensified the ongoing political rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the eastern state.
Shah's Accusation: Facilitating Infiltration
In a sharp attack, Home Minister Amit Shah directly accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of facilitating illegal immigration into West Bengal. Shah's allegations imply that the state government's policies and actions have created an environment conducive to unchecked cross-border movement, posing a long-term demographic and security challenge.
While the Home Minister did not provide specific details in the immediate statement, the charge aligns with the BJP's longstanding narrative about porous borders in eastern India. The party has frequently raised the issue of illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, as a key political and electoral matter in the region.
Mamata's Fierce Counterattack and Resignation Demand
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not hold back in her response. She launched a fierce counterattack, blaming Amit Shah for his ministry's alleged failure to secure the nation's borders. Specifically, she held the Home Minister responsible for failing to stop the infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan and areas illegally occupied by Pakistan into Kashmir.
Going on the offensive, Banerjee demanded the resignation of Amit Shah from the post of Union Home Minister. Her demand is based on the premise that he has been ineffective in his primary duty of safeguarding India's internal security, as evidenced by the continued security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.
Political Implications and Escalating Rivalry
This exchange is more than a mere war of words; it represents a significant escalation in the political battle for dominance in West Bengal. The state has been a key battleground where the BJP has sought to expand its footprint, challenging the supremacy of Mamata Banerjee's TMC.
The accusations touch upon two highly sensitive and politically charged issues: illegal immigration, which resonates with a large section of the electorate, and national security, a central plank of the BJP-led central government's agenda. By linking the Kashmir security situation to Bengal's politics, both leaders are attempting to frame the narrative on a pan-India scale.
The public spat, reported on 30 December 2025, ensures that these issues will remain at the forefront of political discourse as the state and the country move forward. It sets the stage for a continued and heated debate on federal responsibilities, border management, and the political accountability of top leaders.
