- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
As the West Bengal Assembly elections approach, the political landscape is witnessing a significant shift. While the relations with neighbouring country Bangladesh always dominate electoral discourse, the 2026 polls have taken a surprising turn with Pakistan emerging as a central flashpoint. Recent threats from across the border have ignited a fierce war of words between regional and national leaders. The upcoming elections are expected to witness a high-voltage contest between the TMC and BJP, with multiple parties vying for influence in the state.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister has openly threatened to strike Kolkata. And what has @narendramodi said? Nothing.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 6, 2026
Yesterday in Cooch Behar, the Prime Minister addressed a rally but didn’t utter a single word about this grave threat to a major Indian city and its people.
Is this… pic.twitter.com/WygaUKX5LF
TMC Hits Out at Central Silence
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has seized on these remarks, criticising the central government's response. AITC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over their silence on Pakistan Defence Minister's alleged threat to target Kolkata.
'PM Modi, Shah couldn't muster courage': Abhishek Banerjee on Pakistani Defence Minister's 'Kolkata strike' threat
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 6, 2026
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/aoI9dtPOTV #AbhishekBanerjee #PMModi #AmitShah #PakistaniDefenceMinister pic.twitter.com/fEauidwovR
In a rally AITC General Secretary said, "The self-proclaimed '56-inch' Prime Minister and his Home Minister are so busy with vote prachar that they have no time to respond to direct threats of external aggression against Bengal". He went further to state that if the INDIA alliance forms the government, "we will enter their home and kill them."
Mamata Banerjee Demands PM's Resignation
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee echoed these sentiments during a rally in the Nadia district. She questioned why the Prime Minister failed to address Pakistan's threat during his recent Cooch Behar rally.
"Why PM Modi did not raise Pakistan's threat to attack Kolkata, during his poll rallies in West Bengal a day earlier. "You (PM) target Bengal during election rallies; but when Pakistan talks of attacking Bengal, you do not utter a word. You should resign," she said at a poll rally here in Nadia district.
STORY | Mamata demands PM's resignation over silence on Pak's 'threat' to strike Kolkata in future conflict
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 6, 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not raise Pakistan's threat to attack Kolkata, during his poll rallies in West Bengal… pic.twitter.com/FniAuoiNN0
"Just like we do not accept any threat to the country, we will also not take the threat to Kolkata lying down," she added.
Pakistan Issues Threat To Kolkata
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday reportedly said that Islamabad would retaliate by striking Kolkata in the event of any future misadventure by India. Speaking to journalists in his hometown of Sialkot, Asif alleged, without providing evidence that India was plotting a "false flag operation."
"If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time, then God-willingly, we will take it to Kolkata," Asif stated, claiming that intelligence reports indicated a planned provocation by Indian authorities.
West Bengal Elections Dates
Polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
With Agencies Inputs
