A high-voltage political showdown unfolded in West Bengal’s Birbhum district on Monday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed parallel rallies barely 30 kilometres apart, escalating the campaign ahead of the Assembly elections.
While Banerjee held a rally in Suri, Shah campaigned in Mayureswar in support of BJP candidate Dudhkumar Mondal, sharpening his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Calling on voters to “answer bombs with ballots”, Shah alleged widespread corruption and lawlessness under the TMC regime. “Even poor people are forced to pay Mamata’s goons to build homes. Bengal is plagued by cut-money and syndicate raj,” he claimed.
Urging support for the BJP, Shah said, “Look for the ‘Lotus’ symbol on the voting machine. After May 4, a ‘double-engine’ government will be formed in Bengal.”
He alleged sustained violence against BJP workers in Birbhum and warned that those responsible would face strict action after the elections. Targeting the state government over women’s safety, he referred to incidents such as Sandeshkhali and claimed improved security under BJP rule.
Shah also accused the state of misusing funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission and criticised infrastructure, alleging poor road conditions. On cultural issues, he referred to the demolition of the residence of Abanindranath Tagore in Santiniketan, calling it a failure to protect Bengal’s heritage. He credited the Centre for securing UNESCO World Heritage status for Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan and recognising Bengali as a classical language. During his speech, Shah drew attention after mispronouncing the name of noted writer Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay.
In a separate event in Bolpur, Shah asked security personnel to ease entry checks and allow attendees without screening, drawing cheers from supporters.
Meanwhile, addressing her rally, Banerjee struck an emotional note, recalling the Nanur massacre. “In Nanur, eleven Scheduled Caste individuals were killed during the Left Front’s regime in Bengal. At that time, even a white cloth to cover the bodies was unavailable,” she said.
Observers noted that by invoking the Nanur incident, Banerjee sought to highlight past violence under Left Front rule while reinforcing her government’s welfare narrative.
She also spoke about the origins of the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme, linking it to hardships during demonetisation. “Our mothers and sisters lost their savings. That is when I felt they should have financial independence. Today, assistance reaches them directly through banks,” she said.
Launching a broader attack, Banerjee accused both the BJP and the CPI(M) of political harassment. “Earlier, the CPI(M) oppressed us. Now the BJP is doing the same for the past twelve years,” she claimed, while also criticising central outreach programmes such as Mann Ki Baat.
With both leaders trading sharp accusations from nearby venues, the parallel rallies have significantly raised the political temperature in Birbhum. Observers believe the direct confrontation between top leaders could influence voter sentiment in the run-up to the polls.
Also read: In Bengal, Modi, Shah train guns on TMC; Mamata counters
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