Mamata Banerjee calls Amit Shah 'Dushasana', levels big Pahalgam allegation

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addressed a public gathering in Bankura

• Mamata Banerjee denies BJP's claim of refusing land for border fencing
• Banerjee compares BJP leaders to Mahabharat's Duryodhana and Dushasana
• Amit Shah accuses TMC of corruption and aiding illegal infiltration in Bengal

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned whether the Pahalgam attack was "executed by the Centre" after Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that terror networks were operating in the poll-bound state.

"Dushasana, a disciple of Shakuni, has come to Bengal to gather information. As soon as the elections come, Dushasana and Duryodhana start appearing," Mamata said.

While PM Modi visited Bengal on December 20, Shah is on a three-day visit to the state ahead of the 2026 Bengal elections.

Earlier on Tuesday, Shah launched a pointed attack on Banerjee, accusing her government of not allotting land to establish a border fence on the border with neighbouring Bangladesh, enabling infiltration through the state's eastern borders.

However, CM Mamata hit back at Shah, steering away from his charges and claiming that "people will not allow BJP to come to power in West Bengal."

Addressing a public meeting, she said, "Remember the situation 14 years ago, people were scared. A lot of development work was done for Bankura, and much was done to overcome the water crisis. The elections have arrived, and people are being harassed in the name of SIR. A Dushasana has come to Bengal. As soon as the elections come, Dushasana and Duryodhana start appearing," he said.

While Shah maintained that infiltration through West Bengal's border was a national security issue, Banerjee said, "They say that immigrants only come from Bengal. If that's the case, then did you carry out the attack in Pahalgam? Who was behind the incident that happened in Delhi? Corrupt BJP party. They are harassing people in the name of SIR. Only you and your son will eat, and we will be lectured."

The Special Intensive Revision of the voter list and the influx of immigrants in West Bengal have become heated issues, likely to be turned into planks in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in the state.

Shah said that "fear and corruption" have become the identity of West Bengal for the last 14 years.

He also questioned Banerjee over the alleged infiltration of illegal immigrants in the state, accusing her government of refusing to provide land for border fencing.

"Due to corruption under the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state, development in West Bengal has stopped. All beneficial schemes started by Modi have become victims of the toll syndicate here. Fear and corruption have become West Bengal's identity for the last 14 years. After April 15, 2026, when the BJP government is formed in West Bengal, we will start the revival of Bengal's heritage and culture. This 'Banga Bhoomi' holds great importance for us because the BJP was formed by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who was a big leader from here," Shah said while addressing a press conference here.

He said that infiltration has stopped in Tripura and Assam, while it continues in West Bengal. Shah claimed that Mamata Banerjee wants the infiltration to continue for political purposes, which he said was "to expand her vote bank".

"Mamata, today I want to ask you a simple question. Which government refuses to provide land for border fencing? I will answer it myself -- it is your government that does not provide land for border fencing. I then want to ask why infiltrators first enter Bengal. What are your patwaris and police stations doing? Why are these infiltrators not sent back? Can the Bengal government explain why infiltration has been stopped in Assam and Tripura? It is happening only in Bengal because this is taking place under your watch. You want to change Bengal's demography to expand your vote bank," he said.

Shah maintained that infiltration through West Bengal's border was a national security issue. He pitched for a BJP government in the state to deal with infiltration by "sealing Bengal's borders".