- By Surarika Das
- Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The word "Didi" has once again backfired on the BJP as the Bengal elections 2026 are knocking at the door. While addressing a public rally in Bengal's West Medinipur, Amit Shah said, “Ae Didi, aankh aur kaan khol ke sun lo”—"open your eyes and ears and hear this, Didi” — and went on to claim the TMC was going to be ousted by the voters this time.
“Tata, bye-bye Didi, aapka samay samapt hua (your time is up),” Shah declared to the crowd, “You (Banerjee and TMC) have troubled the people of Bengal a lot. It's time for you to leave and for the BJP to make an entry."
The TMC in no time, took note of the statements and linked them to PM Modi's "Didi O Didi" jibe of 2021. The party leaders claimed that these kind statements reflect the BJP's perception towards women and display a "misogynistic" view of the party.
How Did The TMC Lash Out?
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said that Shah's remarks were indecent and "revelatory." She claimed that while the BJP talks about women empowerment and "Nari Shakti," their behavior tells a different story. “In Parliament, they raise slogans of Nari Shakti and Nari Samman (respect for women),” the TMC stated, "but in reality, they neither believe in Nari Shakti nor respect it. For them, Nari Shakti is just a slogan; they believe in 'Nara Shakti' (power of slogans)," she said. Her reference is linked to the recent row over the government's new delimitation move for a 33% women's quota in Parliament.
Another senior woman leader of the TMC, minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, attacked the BJP and said in a video in Bangla posted by the party, “Today, our home minister once again called our respected CM 'Ae Didi.' It was not something said unintentionally. This way was shown also by the PM when he said, ‘Didi O Didi.' It is all said deliberately again and again.”
“He said, ‘open your eyes and ears.' I tell him to listen now: Bengal will respond to this aptly, and the women will respond to this. Are these your values? Learn Bengal's values; learn how to respect women. The people of Bengal will respond to this through their democratic power,” she said.
Some experts speculated that the Prime Minister's tone and the BJP's frequent use of "Didi o Didi" backfired in 2021, but Banerjee won the chief ministership a third time by a huge margin. His remarks were then used by the TMC as a jab at the "daughter of Bengal."
Apart from the personal attacks, Shah’s speech on Tuesday was marked by aggressive stances on national security and law and order. He also cautioned “Mamata’s goons” to stay indoors on polling day, stating, “We will track them down even from the netherworld and send them behind bars."
Additionally, he reaffirmed the BJP's pledge to expel "infiltrators," primarily Muslims who have purportedly immigrated from Bangladesh over time.
"I will inform the infiltrators today that the BJP administration will be constituted on May 5th, and the counting will take place on May 4th. Prepare to travel to Bangladesh as soon as possible," he said.