Kolkata, 29 May (H.S.) -West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam — by using it as a tool to gain electoral advantage ahead of upcoming state elections.

Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee expressed concern over what she described as the central government's attempt to exploit a serious national security issue for political mileage. “The Centre named the military offensive ‘Operation Sindoor’ for political gains ahead of upcoming elections,” she said.

Her remarks came hours after Prime Minister Modi addressed a public rally in Alipurduar, West Bengal — his first in the state since the launch of Operation Sindoor. During the rally, Modi evoked Bengal’s cultural traditions, including the emotionally significant ritual of Sindoor Khela, to underline India's strong response to terrorism and reinforce national solidarity.

Reacting sharply to Modi's speech, Banerjee said, “I am disappointed that the Prime Minister chose to criticise Bengal at a time when all-party delegations are travelling internationally to rally support for India’s anti-terror stance, especially after the Pahalgam attack. National unity should be the focus, not political posturing.”

Banerjee’s criticism reflects a growing divide between the Trinamool Congress-led state government and the Centre over how Operation Sindoor is being projected in the public discourse. While the BJP-led central government has described it as a decisive and culturally resonant military operation, the TMC has raised concerns about its timing and the political narrative being built around it.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh