Mamata Banerjee claims BJP caused Ram Navami clashes in Bengal’s Murshidabad

A day after clashes broke out during Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the violence.

“BJP orchestrated the riots in Murshidabad. Officers were transferred so that riots could be unleashed. You attacked and looted shops in Raghunathganj. You caused the riots unilaterally. You looted shops during rallies. Shops and houses were set on fire, people will not be set on fire today or tomorrow.” said while addressing an election rally at Raniganj in West Burdwan district.

Home Minister Amit Shah hit back, saying, “This time the number of such riots has come down because the ECI has transferred Mamata’s favored officers. But even then there should not be a single incident of violence.”

At least 20 people were injured in Friday afternoon’s clash over a Ram Navami rally at Raghunathganj town in Murshidabad. Police said on Saturday they had arrested at least 30 people. State Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.

“We have no problem with your marches on Ram Navami. Even our workers are holding rallies. But they are causing riots. You held a rally at Suri in Birbhum with guns. I don’t know why the administration is not acting. Don’t blame me. They have snatched away all my forces. They have hand-picked the BJP officials in Bengal, but whatever we do will stay in Bengal,” Banejee added.

The Election Commission of India recently transferred several senior IAS and IPS officers across the state. Some were sent as observers to other poll-bound states. The list included the state’s chief secretary, home secretary, the DGP of state police, commissioner of Kolkata police, several DMs and SPs.

The chief minister also alleged that BJP had “grabbed” her powers and “unofficially imposed President’s rule”. “The people are my power. BJP is harassing me everyday and conspiring against Bengal. You have targeted Bengal. We are targeting Delhi. Save yourselves,” she said.

“Though I am an elected chief minister, the two devils in the Union government have grabbed my powers and are torturing the people of Bengal. There is no need to identify them,” she added.

On Friday, the BJP attacked Banerjee over the violence during Ram Navami celebrations.

“Massive violence broke out in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on the occasion of Ram Navami during processions in the streets of Jangipur. This district has more than 70% Muslim population. Mamata Banerjee has turned several border districts of West Bengal into areas where Hindus feel unsafe. If the Trinamool is not voted out, Hindus will not be voted out far into Bengal after 2026. A new homeland We cannot allow Mamata Banerjee to succeed We cannot allow her to undermine the glorious legacy of West Bengal,” BJP IT chief Amit Malviya wrote on X.