A political controversy ignited in West Bengal following an altercation involving a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team during a raid in Bhupatinagar, East Midnapore district, related to a bomb blast case from 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaged in a war of words over the incident, with leaders from both camps joining the fray.
Prime Minister Modi accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of undermining the rule of law and attempting to shield corrupt leaders. In contrast, Mamata Banerjee alleged bias among central agencies, claiming they were pressuring Trinamool leaders to defect to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
PM Modi asserted that the TMC's actions aimed to subvert the legal system and the Constitution, accusing the party of hindering the efforts of central agencies in West Bengal. He also criticized the newly formed INDI Alliance, comprising the TMC, Left, and Congress, for allegedly protecting corrupt leaders.
In response, Mamata Banerjee accused central agencies like the NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department of acting as tools of the BJP. She claimed that these agencies were harassing TMC leaders through raids and threatening them to join the BJP.
The NIA refuted these allegations, stating that its actions during the raid were legitimate and lawful. The agency clarified that the attack on its officials was unprovoked and denied any malicious intent behind its actions.
Despite the NIA's statement, the TMC continued to criticize the agency, questioning its alleged nexus with the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP accused Mamata Banerjee of attempting to incite violence against central agencies with her statements.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the West Bengal police registered an FIR against NIA officials for alleged misconduct during the Bhupatinagar incident. However, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack on the NIA team.
The incident highlights the political polarization and acrimony in West Bengal, with both the ruling TMC and opposition BJP trading accusations amid ongoing clashes between central agencies and the state government.
