PM Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clashed on Monday over the assault of two BJP leaders amid landslide and flood relief operations in north Bengal.
The confrontation followed torrential rains that triggered landslides and floods across the region, leaving at least 30 people dead and several missing. BJP MP Khagen Murmu and Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh were assaulted by a mob in Jalpaiguri’s Nagrakata.
Videos showed Murmu bleeding from his face and nose. The BJP alleged the attack was carried out by locals “aligned with the ruling TMC,” while the TMC described the incident as a fallout of the opposition’s “photo-op politics.”
Prime Minister Modi condemned the attack, calling it “appalling” and highlighting what he described as the “pathetic law and order situation” in West Bengal.
Writing on X, Modi urged the state government to prioritise relief work over political conflict and called on BJP karyakartas to continue assisting with rescue operations.
Banerjee, who is overseeing relief efforts in north Bengal, responded late at night, accusing the Prime Minister of politicising a natural disaster.
Writing on X, she said: “It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Prime Minister of India has chosen to politicise a natural disaster without waiting for a proper investigation, especially while people in North Bengal are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides.”
She criticised Modi for making unverified allegations, adding: “The PM has blamed the TMC and the West Bengal government outright without a shred of verified evidence, legal enquiry, or administrative report. This is not just a political low, it is a breach of the constitutional ethos the Prime Minister has sworn to uphold. In any democracy, the law must take its own course, and only due process can determine culpability — not a tweet from a political pulpit.”
Banerjee warned that sweeping, unverified claims “lower the dignity of the highest office” and stressed that only due process can determine responsibility. Earlier, she had appealed for restraint and unity, urging people not to indulge in “any untoward incident” amid the ongoing crisis.
Also Read : BJP MP, MLA attacked in flood-hit N Bengal, TMC 'goons' blamed
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, who is camping in Darjeeling to monitor the situation, expressed “deep concern” over the attack on BJP leaders and called for immediate measures to restore order.
The disaster has caused widespread devastation. Entire hamlets in Mirik, Darjeeling, and the Dooars region have been washed away, while bridges and roads have been destroyed. Multiple tea gardens in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts suffered severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Banerjee described the floods as “man-made,” blaming the Damodar Valley Corporation for the uncontrolled release of water and criticised the Centre for inadequate water management.
The Chief Minister announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for victims’ families and promised a home guard job to one member of each bereaved family, as search operations continue with at least four people still missing.
Follow us
