West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on judicial officers in Malda, alleging a larger political conspiracy aimed at destabilising the state ahead of Assembly elections, reported news agency PTI.
Addressing public rallies in Sagardighi and Suti, Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to incite unrest and create conditions for the imposition of President’s Rule in West Bengal, reported PTI.
CM Alleges Larger Political Conspiracy
Banerjee claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was orchestrating a “blueprint” to fuel instability in the state. She urged people not to fall into what she described as a deliberate attempt to provoke communal tension and violence, reported PTI.
According to her, the unrest linked to the Malda incident was being used to tarnish the image of West Bengal and justify extraordinary political intervention.
Condemns Attack on Judicial Officers
The Chief Minister condemned the gherao of judicial officers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stressing that while citizens have the right to protest, any form of aggression against judicial authorities is unacceptable, reported PTI.
She reiterated that maintaining law and order and respecting institutions must remain a priority, even during periods of political tension.
Criticism of Election Commission’s Role
Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission of India, accusing it of failing to ensure the safety of judicial officers despite being in control of the administrative machinery during the election period, reported PTI.
She claimed that key administrative powers had been taken away from the state government following the announcement of elections, making the Election Commission responsible for maintaining security.
Supreme Court Orders Independent Probe
The controversy escalated after the Supreme Court of India took serious note of the Malda incident, describing it as a failure of the state administration. The court directed that an independent probe be conducted by central agencies and instructed authorities to ensure adequate deployment of forces at sensitive locations.
The court also emphasised the need to protect officials involved in the electoral revision process.
Claims of Voter Deletion Raise Political Tensions
Banerjee alleged that large-scale deletion of voter names was taking place across the state, affecting minorities, economically weaker sections and other vulnerable groups. She claimed that even in her Bhabanipur constituency, thousands of names had been removed from electoral rolls, reported PTI.
The voter revision exercise has emerged as a major political flashpoint ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the ruling party accusing opponents of attempting to influence electoral outcomes.
Appeal for Calm Amid Rising Political Heat
Despite her sharp criticism, Banerjee repeatedly appealed to citizens to maintain peace and avoid reacting to provocations. She emphasised that political battles should be fought democratically through elections rather than through violence or unrest, reported PTI.
The developments have intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with both the ruling party and the opposition trading allegations as the state moves closer to a crucial electoral contest.
(With inputs from PTI)